Action learning in teacher learning community formation: informative or transformative?

Abstract

Professional learning communities among teachers and schools have been envisioned as a mechanism for development, knowledge building and implementation. However the formation of an effective learning community is more complex than giving teachers a project and asking them to share a room. This paper reports a synergistic interaction between a model of pedagogy and action learning, including peer observation, that involved 82 schools participating in a wide variety of projects. For most schools, these projects were successful in initiating action learning and promoting teacher development. The authors believe that this innovation generates insights into ways that the building of community, which is central to this type of learning, can be enhanced.

Keywords:

• Action Learning
• Peer Observation
• Professional Learning Community
• Teacher Development

Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the assistance of NSW Department and Education and Training and the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program.