Collective Teacher Efficacy Activities

Boosting School Success: Engaging in Collective Teacher Efficacy Activities

Introduction:

Are you tired of feeling isolated in your teaching journey? Do you yearn for a collaborative environment where shared knowledge and mutual support translate into improved student outcomes? Then you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide delves into the power of collective teacher efficacy activities, exploring practical strategies to build a stronger, more effective teaching team. We'll move beyond theoretical discussions and provide you with actionable steps, ready-to-implement activities, and real-world examples to foster a culture of shared belief and enhanced teaching practice. Get ready to unlock the potential of collaborative teaching and witness a positive transformation in your school environment.

Understanding Collective Teacher Efficacy: The Foundation for Success

Collective teacher efficacy (CTE) refers to the shared belief among teachers in a school or grade level that they can effectively teach all students, regardless of background or prior achievement. It's not about individual confidence; it's about the collective belief in the team's ability to achieve success together. High CTE is linked to improved student achievement, increased teacher job satisfaction, and a more positive school climate. Low CTE, on the other hand, can lead to teacher burnout, decreased student performance, and a less supportive work environment.

Building Collective Teacher Efficacy: Practical Activities for Your School

The key to boosting CTE lies in implementing purposeful activities that foster collaboration, shared learning, and mutual support. These activities should be designed to build trust, encourage open communication, and celebrate successes. Here are some practical strategies you can implement:

1. Collaborative Lesson Planning and Design:

Activity: Organize teachers into grade-level or subject-specific teams to collaboratively plan units, lessons, and assessments. Use shared online platforms (Google Docs, Microsoft Teams) to facilitate efficient collaboration.
Benefits: Promotes shared understanding of curriculum goals, allows for the pooling of teaching expertise and diverse perspectives, and fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.

2. Peer Observation and Feedback:

Activity: Implement a structured peer observation program where teachers observe each other's classes, providing constructive feedback focused on specific teaching strategies and student engagement. Establish clear guidelines and a supportive feedback culture.
Benefits: Offers opportunities for professional growth, provides valuable insights into different teaching styles, and fosters a sense of collegiality and trust. It moves beyond simple evaluations to become a mechanism for professional learning and growth.

3. Shared Professional Development:

Activity: Organize professional development sessions that focus on specific teaching challenges or areas for improvement identified collaboratively by the teaching staff. Use a participatory approach, encouraging teachers to share their experiences and expertise.
Benefits: Addresses specific school needs, promotes a sense of shared ownership in professional growth, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. This avoids the feeling of mandated PD and encourages active participation.

4. Mentoring and Coaching Programs:

Activity: Pair experienced teachers with newer teachers to provide ongoing support and mentorship. These programs should be structured and include regular meetings and observations. Consider peer-to-peer mentoring as well.
Benefits: Supports newer teachers, shares best practices, and allows experienced teachers to reflect on their practice. This creates a supportive environment for growth and reduces isolation.

5. Celebrating Successes and Sharing Best Practices:

Activity: Regularly celebrate successes – both large and small – as a team. Create opportunities for teachers to share best practices and lessons learned. This could be through informal meetings, newsletters, or presentations at school-wide gatherings.
Benefits: Boosts morale, reinforces positive behaviors and teaching strategies, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Celebrating successes creates a powerful positive reinforcement loop.

6. Problem-Solving and Collaborative Inquiry:

Activity: Facilitate collaborative problem-solving sessions where teachers work together to address challenges faced in the classroom. Utilize tools like brainstorming, SWOT analysis, or fishbone diagrams to structure the process.
Benefits: Promotes shared responsibility for addressing challenges, fosters creative solutions, and enhances problem-solving skills for the entire teaching staff. This process empowers teachers and builds confidence in their collective ability to tackle issues.

7. Creating a Culture of Trust and Open Communication:

Activity: Establish clear communication channels and protocols. Foster a culture of trust and open dialogue, where teachers feel safe to share their challenges and concerns without fear of judgment. Regular team meetings are crucial.
Benefits: Reduces feelings of isolation and promotes a supportive work environment. Open communication is essential for identifying and addressing issues affecting the collective efficacy of the team.

8. Utilizing Technology for Collaboration:

Activity: Utilize online platforms for collaborative document editing, communication, and resource sharing. This allows for efficient communication and collaboration, even outside of school hours.
Benefits: Enhances communication efficiency, facilitates asynchronous collaboration, and provides a readily accessible platform for sharing resources and ideas.

Case Study: Implementing Collective Teacher Efficacy Activities at Westside High

This case study will follow the implementation of CTE activities at a fictional high school named Westside High. Westside High School was facing challenges with low student performance and high teacher turnover. By implementing a comprehensive program focusing on the above activities, Westside High saw a significant increase in teacher morale, student achievement, and overall school climate.

Outline:

Introduction: Briefly describing Westside High's initial challenges.
Chapter 1: Implementing Collaborative Lesson Planning and Peer Observation.
Chapter 2: Shared Professional Development and Mentoring Programs.
Chapter 3: Celebrating Successes and Fostering Open Communication.
Chapter 4: Results and Long-Term Impact. (Increased student performance, teacher retention, improved school climate).
Conclusion: Key takeaways and implications for other schools.

(This section would then be elaborated upon in a separate, detailed case study within the blog post.)

Conclusion: Investing in Collective Teacher Efficacy - A Long-Term Investment

Investing in activities that build collective teacher efficacy is not merely a feel-good exercise; it's a strategic investment in the success of your school. By fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility, you create an environment where teachers thrive and students excel. Remember, the collective strength of your teaching team is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. Embrace the power of collaborative teaching and unlock the potential for transformative change in your school.

FAQs:

1. What is the difference between individual teacher efficacy and collective teacher efficacy? Individual teacher efficacy is a teacher's belief in their own ability to teach effectively, while collective teacher efficacy is the shared belief among a group of teachers in their collective ability to succeed.

2. How can I measure collective teacher efficacy in my school? Use surveys, questionnaires, and observations to assess teachers’ shared beliefs and perceptions of their ability to work together effectively.

3. What if some teachers are resistant to collaborative activities? Address concerns through open communication, demonstrate the benefits of collaboration, and provide adequate support and training.

4. How much time should be allocated for collective teacher efficacy activities? Allocate time during scheduled meetings, professional development days, and through informal opportunities for collaboration.

5. Are there specific resources available to help implement these activities? Numerous professional development resources, books, and online articles are available to guide you.

6. How can I ensure that these activities are sustainable in the long term? Integrate CTE activities into the school's culture and professional development plan, ensuring ongoing support and leadership commitment.

7. What role does school leadership play in fostering collective teacher efficacy? Leaders must create a supportive and collaborative environment, provide resources, and actively promote the importance of CTE.

8. How can we measure the impact of CTE activities on student achievement? Track student performance data over time and compare it to previous years or similar schools.

9. What are the potential challenges in implementing CTE activities, and how can we overcome them? Challenges may include time constraints, lack of resources, resistance to change, and varying levels of teacher experience. Addressing these through planning, communication, and resource allocation is key.

1. The Impact of Collective Teacher Efficacy on Student Achievement: This article explores the research linking CTE to improved student outcomes.

2. Building a Collaborative School Culture: This article offers strategies for fostering collaboration among all staff members.

3. Effective Strategies for Peer Observation and Feedback: This article focuses on the best practices for conducting meaningful peer observations.

4. The Role of Leadership in Fostering Collective Teacher Efficacy: This article highlights the importance of school leadership in creating a supportive environment for collaborative teaching.

5. Overcoming Resistance to Change in Collaborative Teaching: This article explores strategies for addressing teacher resistance to collaborative practices.

6. Using Technology to Enhance Collaborative Teaching: This article explores how technology can be used to support and facilitate collaborative teaching.

7. Measuring and Assessing Collective Teacher Efficacy: This article provides different methods for measuring CTE within a school setting.

8. Case Studies of Successful Collective Teacher Efficacy Initiatives: This article presents examples of schools that have successfully implemented CTE initiatives.

9. The Importance of Shared Professional Development for Teacher Growth: This article highlights the role of shared professional development in boosting CTE.

collective teacher efficacy activities: Collective Efficacy Jenni Donohoo, 2016-10-21 Improve student outcomes with collective teacher efficacy. If educators’ realities are filtered through the belief that they can do very little to influence student achievement, then it is likely these beliefs will manifest in their practice. The solution? Collective efficacy (CE)—the belief that, through collective actions, educators can influence student outcomes and increase achievement. Educators with high efficacy show greater effort and persistence, willingness to try new teaching approaches, and attend more closely to struggling students’ needs. This book presents practical strategies and tools for increasing student achievement by sharing: Rationale and sources for establishing CE Conditions and leadership practices for CE to flourish Professional learning structures/protocols
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collective Leader Efficacy Peter M. DeWitt, 2021-09-16 Not just another book on leadership teams For school teams to succeed, they need leadership, independence, meaningful collaboration, and a shared conviction that they have real power to enact actual change. Educators know this, but they often lack an inquiry process that creates a community of learning leaders that is capable of deep collective impact on student learning and wellbeing. In this research-based, hands-on guidebook, school leadership coach Peter DeWitt introduces eight key drivers to integrating teacher and leader efficacy (mindset, well-being, context beliefs, working conditions, professional learning, organizational commitment, skills, and confidence) and harnesses it with a process to help you focus on the nuances of instruction and teaming to develop powerful collective leader efficacy. Readers will find: Activities and strategies designed to build collective efficacy in instructional teams and foster leadership and interdependence among teachers Theories of action to focus team efforts and how to create your own Tools, reflection prompts, and guiding questions to help you define your desired outcomes and the steps necessary to get there With this book and the research within it, your instructional leadership team will develop a learner’s mindset, a collective commitment to improvement, and a shared process for inquiry and continual growth so you can nurture greater impact together.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Visible Learning John Hattie, 2008-11-19 This unique and ground-breaking book is the result of 15 years research and synthesises over 800 meta-analyses on the influences on achievement in school-aged students. It builds a story about the power of teachers, feedback, and a model of learning and understanding. The research involves many millions of students and represents the largest ever evidence based research into what actually works in schools to improve learning. Areas covered include the influence of the student, home, school, curricula, teacher, and teaching strategies. A model of teaching and learning is developed based on the notion of visible teaching and visible learning. A major message is that what works best for students is similar to what works best for teachers – an attention to setting challenging learning intentions, being clear about what success means, and an attention to learning strategies for developing conceptual understanding about what teachers and students know and understand. Although the current evidence based fad has turned into a debate about test scores, this book is about using evidence to build and defend a model of teaching and learning. A major contribution is a fascinating benchmark/dashboard for comparing many innovations in teaching and schools.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collective Student Efficacy John Hattie, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Shirley Clarke, 2021-05-11 This innovative book details how knowledge, skills, and dispositions entangle to create collective and individual beliefs, and leads educators to mobilize collective efficacy in the classroom.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Leading Collective Efficacy Stefani Arzonetti Hite, Jenni Donohoo, 2020-11-08 Inspiration and Guidance to Develop Collective Teacher Efficacy Collective efficacy, or a shared belief that through collective action educators can positively influence student outcomes, has remained at the top of a list of influences on student achievement in John Hattie’s Visible Learning research. Collective efficacy has been embodied by many educators, though collaboration tends to be focused on building community and relationships, which alone are not enough to move the needle on student achievement. This book contains stories of collective efficacy in schools where it has been actualized in practice, and includes: • Real-world case studies of teams who have fostered and sustained collective efficacy • Practical guidance for building collective efficacy through professional learning designs • Tools that can be adapted for specific needs or local contexts Through these accounts, readers will gain a better understanding of ways to capitalize on the reciprocal relationship between student achievement and collective efficacy by having a clear understanding of what collective efficacy looks like and how it can be accomplished.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Visible Learning for Teachers John Hattie, 2012-03-15 In November 2008, John Hattie’s ground-breaking book Visible Learning synthesised the results of more than fifteen years research involving millions of students and represented the biggest ever collection of evidence-based research into what actually works in schools to improve learning. Visible Learning for Teachers takes the next step and brings those ground breaking concepts to a completely new audience. Written for students, pre-service and in-service teachers, it explains how to apply the principles of Visible Learning to any classroom anywhere in the world. The author offers concise and user-friendly summaries of the most successful interventions and offers practical step-by-step guidance to the successful implementation of visible learning and visible teaching in the classroom. This book: links the biggest ever research project on teaching strategies to practical classroom implementation champions both teacher and student perspectives and contains step by step guidance including lesson preparation, interpreting learning and feedback during the lesson and post lesson follow up offers checklists, exercises, case studies and best practice scenarios to assist in raising achievement includes whole school checklists and advice for school leaders on facilitating visible learning in their institution now includes additional meta-analyses bringing the total cited within the research to over 900 comprehensively covers numerous areas of learning activity including pupil motivation, curriculum, meta-cognitive strategies, behaviour, teaching strategies, and classroom management Visible Learning for Teachers is a must read for any student or teacher who wants an evidence based answer to the question; ‘how do we maximise achievement in our schools?’
collective teacher efficacy activities: The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching Jim Knight, 2022
collective teacher efficacy activities: Exploring Language Teacher Efficacy in Japan Gene Thompson, 2020-05-14 This book examines language teacher efficacy beliefs, focusing on the individual and collective beliefs of Japanese high school teachers. It discusses personal and collective dimensions of language teacher efficacy related to personal second language (L2) capability, instructional L2 efficacy and collective capability towards collaboration. The book provides a detailed discussion about the ways in which these beliefs develop and situates the findings within the wider field of teacher efficacy research. It helps further understanding of factors that may influence teacher self-efficacy and suggests new directions for research to explore in future studies. It will appeal to postgraduates and researchers with an interest in language teacher cognition, the psychology of language teaching and those in the wider fields of self-efficacy, teacher efficacy and teacher agency. It is also of use to those with an interest in the high school English education system in Japan, as well as researchers investigating similar contexts.
collective teacher efficacy activities: The Factors Effecting Student Achievement Engin Karadağ, 2017-05-14 This book focuses on the effect of psychological, social and demographic variables on student achievement and summarizes the current research findings in the field. It addresses the need for inclusive and interpretive studies in the field in order to interpret student achievement literature and suggests new pathways for further studies. Appropriately, a meta-analysis approach is used by the contributors to show the big picture to the researchers by analyzing and combining the findings from different independent studies. In particular, the authors compile various studies examining the relationship between student achievement and 21 psychological, social and demographic variables separately. The philosophy behind this book is to direct future research and practices rather than addressing the limits of current studies.
collective teacher efficacy activities: 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning John Hattie, Klaus Zierer, 2017-12-06 The original Visible Learning research concluded that one of the most important influencers of student achievement is how teachers think about learning and their own role. In Ten Mindframes for Visible Learning, John Hattie and Klaus Zierer define the ten behaviors or mindframes that teachers need to adopt in order to maximize student success. These include: thinking of and evaluating your impact on students’ learning; the importance of assessment and feedback for teachers; working collaboratively and the sense of community; the notion that learning needs to be challenging; engaging in dialogue and the correct balance between talking and listening; conveying the success criteria to learners; building positive relationships. These powerful mindframes, which should underpin every action in schools, are founded on the principle that teachers are evaluators, change agents, learning experts, and seekers of feedback who are constantly engaged with dialogue and challenge. This practical guide, which includes questionnaires, scenarios, checklists, and exercises, will show any school exactly how to implement Hattie’s mindframes to maximize success.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Emotions at School Reinhard Pekrun, Krista R. Muis, Anne C. Frenzel, Thomas Goetz, 2017-08-14 For more than a decade, there has been growing interest in the role of emotions in academic settings. Written by leading experts on learning and instruction, Emotions at School focuses on the connections between educational research and emotion science, bringing the subject to a wider audience. With chapters on how emotions develop and work, evidence-based recommendations about how to foster adaptive emotions, and clear explanations of key concepts and ideas, this concise volume is designed for?any?education course that includes emotions in the curriculum. It will be indispensable for student researchers and both pre- and in-service teachers alike.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collaborative Response Kurtis Hewson, Lorna Hewson, 2022-02-27 A school-wide model for addressing individual needs The greatest goal of education is to ensure equity while enhancing learning and academic success for all students. And yet, it is impossible for one teacher to meet the extensive needs of all students in his or her classroom. The traditional schooling model cannot provide for this complexity and leaves educators perplexed. The solution is a collaborative approach where “every child deserves a team” to surround them with supports that recognize their strengths and challenges. Collaborative Response offers a school-wide model for addressing students’ individual needs. The three fundamental components of the model are: collaborative structures and processes; data and evidence; and continuum of supports. In this book, readers will find: Entry points for beginning this work Potential pitfalls of the approach Case studies from schools that have adopted the model Access to a website with tools, templates, case studies, and more With a focus on quality classroom instruction, this book shares examples from schools and districts that have transformed how they respond to the needs of all learners.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Professional Capital Andy Hargreaves, Michael Fullan, 2015-04-24 The future of learning depends absolutely on the future of teaching. In this latest and most important collaboration, Andy Hargreaves and Michael Fullan show how the quality of teaching is captured in a compelling new idea: the professional capital of every teacher working together in every school. Speaking out against policies that result in a teaching force that is inexperienced, inexpensive, and exhausted in short order, these two world authorities--who know teaching and leadership inside out--set out a groundbreaking new agenda to transform the future of teaching and public education. Ideas-driven, evidence-based, and strategically powerful, Professional Capital combats the tired arguments and stereotypes of teachers and teaching and shows us how to change them by demanding more of the teaching profession and more from the systems that support it. This is a book that no one connected with schools can afford to ignore. This book features: (1) a powerful and practical solution to what ails American schools; (2) Action guidelines for all groups--individual teachers, administrators, schools and districts, state and federal leaders; (3) a next-generation update of core themes from the authors' bestselling book, What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? [This book was co-published with the Ontario Principals' Council.].
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collective Efficacy Jenni Donohoo, 2016-10-21 Improve student outcomes with collective teacher efficacy. If educators’ realities are filtered through the belief that they can do very little to influence student achievement, then it is likely these beliefs will manifest in their practice. The solution? Collective efficacy (CE)—the belief that, through collective actions, educators can influence student outcomes and increase achievement. Educators with high efficacy show greater effort and persistence, willingness to try new teaching approaches, and attend more closely to struggling students’ needs. This book presents practical strategies and tools for increasing student achievement by sharing: Rationale and sources for establishing CE Conditions and leadership practices for CE to flourish Professional learning structures/protocols
collective teacher efficacy activities: PLC+ Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, John Almarode, Karen Flories, Dave Nagel, 2019-05-16 What makes a powerful and results-driven Professional Learning Community (PLC)? The answer is collaborative work that expands the emphasis on student learning and leverages individual teacher efficacy into collective teacher efficacy. PLC+: Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design calls for strong and effective PLCs plus—and that plus is YOU. Until now, the PLC movement has been focused almost exclusively on students and what they were or were not learning. But keeping student learning at the forefront requires that we also recognize the vital role that you play in the equation of teaching and learning. This means that PLCs must take on two additional challenges: maximizing your individual expertise, while harnessing the power of the collaborative expertise you can develop with your peers. PLC+ is grounded in four cross-cutting themes—a focus on equity of access and opportunity, high expectations for all students, a commitment to building individual self-efficacy and the collective efficacy of the professional learning community and effective team activation and facilitation to move from discussion to action. The PLC+ framework supports educators in considering five essential questions as they work together to improve student learning: Where are we going? Where are we now? How do we move learning forward? What did we learn today? Who benefited and who did not benefit? The PLC+ framework leads educators to question practices as well as outcomes. It broadens the focus on student learning to encompass educational equity and teaching efficacy, and, in doing so, it leads educators to plan and implement learning communities that maximize individual expertise while harnessing the power of collaborative efficacy.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Assessment for Teaching Patrick Griffin, 2017-10-18 Grounded in contemporary, evidence-based research, Assessment for Teaching provides a comprehensive introduction to assessment and teaching in school settings.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) John R. Hollingsworth, Silvia E. Ybarra, 2009 A proven method for better teaching, better learning, and better test scores! This teacher-friendly book presents a step-by-step approach for implementing the Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) approach in diverse classrooms. Based on educational theory, brain research, and data analysis, EDI helps teachers deliver effective lessons that can significantly improve achievement all grade levels. The authors discuss characteristics of EDI, such as checking for understanding, lesson objectives, activating prior knowledge, concept and skills development, and guided practice, and provide: Clearly defined lesson design components Detailed sample lessons Easy-to-follow lesson delivery strategies Scenarios that illustrate what EDI techniques look like in the classroom
collective teacher efficacy activities: International Handbook of Technology Education , 2006-01-01 This first volume in the International Technology Education Series offers a unique, worldwide collection of national surveys into the developments of Technology Education in the past two decades.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Coach It Further Peter M. DeWitt, 2018-08-31 Practical strategies for building coach-leader relationships Leadership is complex work. High quality leadership coaching is one of the most effective methods of professional development for leaders. Coach It Further uses a narrative format to illustrate the important aspects of leadership that leaders and coaches can work on together to achieve their shared goals. It includes: Authentic stories from leaders and students The Collaborative Leadership Growth Cycle, which provides leaders with a starting point and specific steps to take to reach their goals Strategies for the four priorities research shows school leaders are most concerned about: collective efficacy, communication, student and family engagement, and political climate Reflection questions for leadership coaches to use with their leader-coaches Whether you are a seasoned coach, a leader looking to be coached, or a leader looking for guidance on how to coach burgeoning leaders among your staff, this book will build your confidence and provide you with valuable insights and strategies. Offers a model of how educators can engage in the art of leadership coaching. School administrators will connect to the realistic, varied, and detailed examples illustrating the complexities of leadership. Here you will find thoughtful insights and practical suggestions for improving the quality of leadership coaching in your practice. –Jenni Donohoo, Best-selling author and Professional Learning Facilitator A must-read for school leaders and leadership coaches. You will connect to the real struggles of a principal learning to be coached. This book is chock-full of research, tips, and examples to help you improve your self-efficacy as a leader. –Jessica Johnson, School Leader Co-Author of The Coach Approach to School Leadership and Breaking Out of Isolation
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collaborative Leadership Peter M. DeWitt, 2016-08-22 Get the fuel you need to drive collaborative leadership in your school! What type of leadership do you practice? Many of us rely on transformational and instructional leadership. But there are advantages in applying a holistic angle including all stakeholders—an approach known as collaborative leadership. Peter DeWitt unpacks six factors framed through John Hattie’s research while painting a powerful scheme: meet stakeholders where they are, motivate stakeholders to strive for improvement, model how to do it. The blueprint will inspire you to: Transform your leadership practice Identify where you can make changes Build and empower your team Incorporate all stakeholders into the conversation
collective teacher efficacy activities: Leading Professional Learning Communities Shirley M. Hord, William A. Sommers, 2008-02-01 Hord is the originator of the triple-headed concept of professional learning communities. Sommers is an experienced administrator and past president of the National Staff Development Council. With the authors′ extensive backgrounds in educational evaluation and the implementation of school change and development, they are uniquely equipped to delineate and defend a particular vision of professional learning communities that has educational depth, professional richness, and moral integrity. —From the Foreword by Andy Hargreaves The most important volume available to help principals undertake the challenging yet exhilarating work of building true communities of professional learning. —Joseph Murphy, Professor Vanderbilt University The book does not gloss over the challenges that leaders will encounter. The authors draw upon rich research evidence and personal experiences and offer many practical, proven change strategies. This is a valuable resource for any educational leader who wishes to become a ′head learner.′ —Arthur L. Costa, Professor Emeritus California State University, Sacramento Hord and Sommers create a powerful bridge between the research base on PLCs and practitioner knowledge and action. The book′s dual focus on principles and ′rocks in the road′ provide a grounded basis for school leaders. A dog-eared copy should be in every principal′s office and in every professional developer′s tool kit. —Karen Seashore Louis, Rodney S. Wallace Professor University of Minnesota, Minneapolis The authors′ rationale and suggestions will resonate because they come from experience and great insight. The bottom line remains steadfast for these two distinguished educators: you implement a PLC so that teachers learn and students achieve. This text will help educators reach toward that compelling vision. —Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director National Staff Development Council Imagine all professionals in all schools engaged in continuous professional learning! Current research shows a strong positive relationship between successful professional learning communities and increased student achievement. In this practical and reader-friendly guide, education experts Shirley M. Hord and William A. Sommers explore the school-based learning opportunities offered to school professionals and the principal′s critical role in the development of an effective professional learning community (PLC). This book provides school leaders with readily accessible information to guide them in developing a PLC that supports teachers and students. The authors cover building a vision for a PLC, implementing structures, creating policies and procedures, and developing the leadership skills required for initiating and sustaining a learning community. Each chapter includes meaningful quotes from the field, rocks in the road and ways to overcome them, examples from real PLCs, and learning activities to reinforce chapter content. The text illustrates how this research-based school improvement model can help educators: Increase leadership capacity Embed professional development into daily work Create a positive school culture Develop accountability Boost student achievement Discover how you can grow a vital community of professionals who work together to increase their effectiveness and strengthen the relationship between professional learning and student learning.
collective teacher efficacy activities: School Leadership that Works Robert J. Marzano, Timothy Waters, Brian A. McNulty, 2005 Describes a variety of leaders hip responsibilities that have an effect on student achievement.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Quality Middle Schools Wayne K. Hoy, Dennis J. Sabo, Kevin M. Barnes, John Hannum, James Hoffman, 1998 Building on 20 years of careful research and real-world testing, the authors show administrators how to assess their schools' health. The goal is to improve middle schools by making sure the culture is right for all groups - students, teachers, staff. The authors call their measurement tools the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire Revised for Middle Schools (OCDQ-RM), for tapping the openness of a school's professional interactions, and the Organizational Health Inventory for Middle Schools (OHI-M), for capturing the health of interpersonal relationships in schools. The OCDQ-RM (openness) questionnaire and the OHI-M (health) inventory are included in this book - ready to copy and administer. These measurements are user-friendly and easy to interpret; scoring directions are clearly explained. School leaders, especially superintendents and principals, can use these hands-on tools to understand what's going on in their schools and then make changes as necessary. Actual case studies show how using the questionnaires can help make every middle school a high-quality and positive learning environment.
collective teacher efficacy activities: How Learning Works Susan A. Ambrose, Michael W. Bridges, Michele DiPietro, Marsha C. Lovett, Marie K. Norman, 2010-04-16 Praise for How Learning Works How Learning Works is the perfect title for this excellent book. Drawing upon new research in psychology, education, and cognitive science, the authors have demystified a complex topic into clear explanations of seven powerful learning principles. Full of great ideas and practical suggestions, all based on solid research evidence, this book is essential reading for instructors at all levels who wish to improve their students' learning. —Barbara Gross Davis, assistant vice chancellor for educational development, University of California, Berkeley, and author, Tools for Teaching This book is a must-read for every instructor, new or experienced. Although I have been teaching for almost thirty years, as I read this book I found myself resonating with many of its ideas, and I discovered new ways of thinking about teaching. —Eugenia T. Paulus, professor of chemistry, North Hennepin Community College, and 2008 U.S. Community Colleges Professor of the Year from The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Thank you Carnegie Mellon for making accessible what has previously been inaccessible to those of us who are not learning scientists. Your focus on the essence of learning combined with concrete examples of the daily challenges of teaching and clear tactical strategies for faculty to consider is a welcome work. I will recommend this book to all my colleagues. —Catherine M. Casserly, senior partner, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching As you read about each of the seven basic learning principles in this book, you will find advice that is grounded in learning theory, based on research evidence, relevant to college teaching, and easy to understand. The authors have extensive knowledge and experience in applying the science of learning to college teaching, and they graciously share it with you in this organized and readable book. —From the Foreword by Richard E. Mayer, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara; coauthor, e-Learning and the Science of Instruction; and author, Multimedia Learning
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collective Student Efficacy John Hattie, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Shirley Clarke, 2021-06-07 Arm students with the confidence they need to pursue ambitious goals—together. Collective student efficacy— students’ beliefs that by working with other people, they will learn more—can be a powerful accelerator of student learning and a precursor to future employment success. Harnessing twenty-five years of VISIBLE LEARNING® research, Collective Student Efficacy: Developing Independent and Inter-Dependent Learners illuminates the power of collective efficacy and identifies the many ways teachers can activate collective efficacy with their students. More than cooperative and collaborative learning, collective efficacy requires the refinement of both individual and collective tasks that build on each other over time. This innovative book details how knowledge, skills, and dispositions entangle to create collective and individual beliefs, and leads educators to mobilize collective efficacy in the classroom. It includes: The vital components and evidence-based success criteria necessary for students′ collective efficacy The I and We skills that need to be developed to ensure students have the skills and confidence to contribute to group success The nature of learning design, lesson planning, and classroom structures that ensure opportunities for all students to engage in collective efficacy The necessity for constructive alignment between learning intentions, tasks, success criteria, and assessments Learning from a Distance actions to facilitate building skills in remote learning environments The time is now to prepare students to meet the demands of the future. Through collective student efficacy, students will learn to become actionable agents of learning and change.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Essential Ideas For The Reform of American Schools Wayne K. Hoy, Michael DiPaola, 2007-05-01 This book is different than its predecessors in that it identifies and synthesizes twelve key constructs that have important implications for both administrators and researchers; these constructs guide administrators engaged in meaningful school improvement efforts and provide researchers an agenda for future study. The articles of the book capture decades of theoretical and research work. Essential Ideas for the Reform of American Schools identifies and synthesizes key constructs that have important implications for the improvement of schools. The articles have been written over a period of several decades and are grounded in theoretical analysis and empirical research. Together they form a coherent body of literature for both practitioners interested in improving schools and researchers committed to the study of school effectiveness.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collaborative Inquiry for Educators Jenni Donohoo, 2013 Your step-by-step guide to making collaboration work Collaborating for improved student outcomes makes sense. But beyond theory, do you know where to begin? Aligned to current Learning Forward standards and based on the latest research, this book deconstructs the collaborative inquiry process. This step-by-step guide gives facilitators tools to move teams toward purposeful, productive collaborative work with: A clear and concise four-stage model that provides a structure for facilitating successful collaborative inquiry Real-world examples from collaborative teams that model componen.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Developing Assessment-Capable Visible Learners, Grades K-12 Nancy Frey, John Hattie, Douglas Fisher, 2018-01-11 “When students know how to learn, they are able to become their own teachers.” —Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher, and John Hattie Imagine students who describe their learning in these terms: “I know where I’m going, I have the tools I need for the journey, and I monitor my own progress.” Now imagine the extraordinary difference this type of ownership makes in their progress over the course of a school year. This illuminating book shows how to make this scenario an everyday reality. With its foundation in principles introduced in the authors’ bestselling Visible Learning for Literacy, this resource delves more deeply into the critical component of self-assessment, revealing the most effective types of assessment and how each can motivate students to higher levels of achievement.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Models of Professional Development Bruce Joyce, Emily Calhoun, 2010 This comprehensive resource examines five major models of professional development and how they can be implemented and tailored to meet the multifaceted needs of any school or district.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Teacher Self-Efficacy Susanne Garvis, Donna Pendergast, 2016-07-15 In this book the editors have been able to provide a snapshot of current research being undertaken in the Asia-Pacific region in regards to teacher self-efficacy beliefs. This includes specific focuses on inclusive teaching, professionalism, subject domains, collective efficacy as well as specific contexts of early childhood education and care, primary schools education, special needs schools and teacher education. This allows the reader to begin to develop an understanding about the complexity of teacher self-efficacy as well as the development and relationship between self-efficacy and other theoretical constructs and concepts. The book begins with an overall summary of research in the Asia-Pacific region before moving to a specific focus on research in different countries. All of the chapters also provide hope to the reader about the possibilities of understanding and supporting teachers and schools beliefs to enhance teacher behaviour. Through the implementation of teacher self-efficacy beliefs into educational contexts, teacher education programmes and professional development programmes, there is strong hope that the outcomes of education systems in supporting all students in their learning can be achieved. By allowing teachers to develop their own sources of efficacy and supporting these through all stages of career development, all children can be supported in their own learning.
collective teacher efficacy activities: A Vision of Vygotsky Joan Wink, LeAnn G. Putney, 2002 This book will introduce students to Vygotskian theories of teaching, learning, and development and show how that theory can be applied in current classrooms. Vygotsky's work continues to be applied and studied in Teacher Education and Educational Psychology. In this book, his work is presented using authentic classroom vignettes and visuals. Meaningful language and various scholarly perspectives that help students access abstract ideas are used throughout.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Excellence Through Equity Alan M. Blankstein, Pedro Noguera, Lorena Kelly, 2016-02-26 Excellence Through Equity is an inspiring look at how real-world educators are creating schools where all students are able to thrive. In these schools, educators understand that equity is not about treating all children the same. They are deeply committed to ensuring that each student receives what he or she individually needs to develop their full potential and succeed. To help educators with what can at times be a difficult and challenging journey, Blankstein and Noguera frame the book with five guiding principles of Courageous Leadership: Getting to your core Making organizational meaning Ensuring constancy and consistency of purpose Facing the facts and your fears Building sustainable relationships. They further emphasize that the practices are grounded in three important areas of research that are too often disregarded: (1) child development, (2) neuroscience, and (3) environmental influences on child development and learning. You'll hear from Carol Corbett Burris, Michael Fullan, Marcus J. Newsome, Paul Reville, Susan Szachowicz, and other bold practitioners and visionary thinkers who share compelling and actionable ideas, strategies, and experiences for closing the achievement gap in your classrooms and school. Ensuring that all students receive an education that cultivates their talents and potential is in all our common interest. As Andy Hargreaves writes in the coda: The opportunity for all Americans is to articulate and believe in an inspiring vision of educational change that is about what the next generation of America and Americans should become, not about a target or ranking that the nation should attain. From the Foreword by Archbishop Desmond Tutu: Letting go of a system of winners and losers in favor of what is proposed in this book is a courageous leap forward that we all must take together. Let this bold, practical book be a guide; and may you travel into this new exciting vista, in which every child can succeed.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collaborative Professionalism Andy Hargreaves, Michael T. O'Connor, 2018-05-09 Ensure Conversations About Collaboration Get Results. This book lays out the theory and practice of Collaborative Professionalism. Through five international case studies, the authors distinguish Collaborative Professionalism from professional collaboration by highlighting intentional collaborative designs and providing concrete examples for how to be more purposeful with collaboration. Additionally, the book makes Collaborative Professionalism accessible to all educators through clear take-aways including: Ten core tenets, including Collective Efficacy, Collaborative Inquiry, and Collaborating With Students. Graphics indicating how educators can move from mere professional collaboration to the deep and transformative work of Collaborative Professionalism. Analysis of which collaborative practices educators should start doing, keep doing, and stop doing Collaboration can be one of your most powerful educational tools when used correctly, and turned into action. This book shows you how.
collective teacher efficacy activities: The Power of Expert Teaching Shane N. Phillipson, Sivanes Phillipson, 2020-12-23 Throughout the world, the challenges facing modern education are formidable. Although some of the challenges facing are unique to each educational jurisdiction, there are also some important commonalities that transcend jurisdictions. Irrespective of the nature of these challenges, there is an increasing focus on teacher quality – what it is and how to enhance it. To date, research tells us what expert teachers should be doing in their classrooms. This approach is based on the idea that teaching expertise is nothing more than the accumulation of specific skills and knowledge, and as teachers acquire these skills and knowledge most of our educational challenges can be overcome. This book questions this idea by asking 37 teachers who are already recognised as experts to share their classroom secrets. Importantly, the teachers come from diverse cultural contexts, including Australia, Finland, Hong Kong and the US, and they share: how they became expert teachers; their expectations for every student when they enter their classroom; how they view and encourage teacher–parent partnerships; and what skills and knowledge they consider important for expert teaching. To our knowledge, this is the first book that compares and contrasts the approaches taken by expert teachers from four very different cultural groups. The book helps to demystify the work of the modern teacher – what they do and the challenges they face. If you aspire to be an expert teacher, this book provides a clear model of how to approach the process. If you are an education researcher searching for ‘impact’, this book outlines what are some of the emerging hot topics in education research. If you are involved in teacher education then this book offers some new approaches to initial teacher education. If your focus is on educational policy, this book helps make sense of the links between the classrooms of expert teachers, education research and academic achievement. Finally, this book will help parents understand how best to partner with their child’s teacher in order to enhance their learning.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Leading With Teacher Emotions in Mind Kenneth Leithwood, Brenda Beatty, 2007-12-13 This research-based study helps administrators create a school environment that responds to teacher emotions and results in higher teacher retention, instructional effectiveness, and student achievement.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Quality Implementation Jenni Donohoo, Steven Katz, 2019-06-12 Harness the power of collective efficacy to achieve quality implementation! Designed to overcome the biggest barriers to quality implementation and, thus, school improvement and student achievement, this book unpacks the powerful force of collective efficacy. The authors examine how this shared belief that the combined efforts of faculty members can positively influence student outcomes, is instrumental to establishing evidence-based practices for lasting change. In addition to a helpful conceptual framework to visualize key components, readers will discover: • Ways to create environments that tap into mastery as the number one source of collective efficacy • Methods to strengthen vicarious experiences through observational learning • Examination of social persuasion and affective states as additional sources of collective efficacy
collective teacher efficacy activities: Engaging the Families of ELLs Renee Rubin, John Sutterby, Michelle Abrego, 2013-07-23 Learn how to involve the diverse families of English language learners with the effective, practical approaches in this book. This must-have resource for teachers and school leaders is packed with fresh ideas geared toward building a partnership between school communities and ELL families. The authors begin each chapter with realistic scenarios that commonly arise with ELL families. They offer activities designed to assess current practices, investigate family perceptions and expectations, overcome challenges, and improve communication. The strategies in this book help you engage families at school and at home in innovative and successful ways. Organized with the busy educator in mind, the book can be read straight through or section by section to best fit your specific needs. As a bonus, every chapter concludes with a wealth of useful resources on every topic! As the demographics of America's schools continue to grow and change, this book guides you to building a school community in which every family can thrive!
collective teacher efficacy activities: Professional Learning Communities at Work Richard DuFour, Robert E. Eaker, 1998 Provides specific information on how to transform schools into results-oriented professional learning communities, describing the best practices that have been used by schools nationwide.
collective teacher efficacy activities: Collaboration and Co-Teaching Andrea Honigsfeld, Maria G. Dove, 2010-08-10 Help ELLs achieve success with an integrated, collaborative program! Teacher collaboration and co-teaching are proven strategies for helping students with diverse needs achieve academically. Now this practical resource provides a step-by-step guide to making collaboration and co-teaching work for general education teachers and English as a second language (ESL) specialists to better serve the needs of English language learners (ELLs). The authors address the fundamental questions of collaboration and co-teaching, examine how a collaborative program helps ELLs learn content while meeting English language development goals, and offer information on school leaders' roles in facilitating collaboration schoolwide. Featuring six in-depth case studies, this guide helps educators: Understand the benefits and challenges of collaborative service delivery Choose from a range of strategies and configurations, from informal planning and collaboration to a fully developed co-teaching partnership Use templates, planning guides, and other practical tools to put collaboration into practice Evaluate the strategies' success using the guidelines, self-assessments, and questionnaires included Collaboration and Co-Teaching helps ESL, ELL, and general education teachers combine their expertise to provide better support for their ELLs!
collective teacher efficacy activities: The Future of Teaching , 2023-02-06 The ‘future of teaching’ represents a technological disruption of moral traditions of teaching and what teaching might become and is a serious concern for the current generation of philosophers in both China and the West.