What is Professional Learning Communities

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A way to organize teachers to collaborate and engage in professional learning. Learn more in: Transitioning the Elementary Mathematics Classroom to Virtual Learning: Exploring the Perspectives and Experiences of Teachers

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Groups of teachers, administrators, and staff members that meet regularly to share ideas and expertise to improve teaching performance and learning achievement. Learn more in: Using Design Thinking Practices to Create Technology-Driven Adult Professional Development Programs

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A strategy of collaborative and situated learning in which a group of practitioners work together towards particular goals and by sharing expertise. Learn more in: Potentials and Challenges of a Situated Professional Development Model

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While “there is no universal definition of a professional learning community,” a professional learning community can generally be defined as a group of individuals which regularly collaborate to critically reflect on their practice for the purpose of individual professional growth as well as advancement of the group ( Stoll, Bolam, McMahon, Wallace, & Thomas, 2006 ). Learn more in: The Power of Praxis: Critical Thinking and Reflection in Teacher Development

5.

Groups of educators who meet regularly, share expertise, and work collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students. Learn more in: Specialized Educational Leadership for Rural Students Living in Poverty

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A learning community of educators in the school who have the responsibility and accountability for delivering an effective learning program for students. The communities meet through job-embedded structures to increase their learning related to the learning needs of students ( Hall & Hord, 2020 ). Learn more in: Supporting the Habits and Practices of Teacher Expertise Development

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A group of educators that meet regularly to share expertise and work collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students. Learn more in: Designing Elementary Mathematics Games using Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices

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These communities foster collaboration among teachers. In a non-judgmental manner, teachers discuss best practices for teaching and learning. Learn more in: Optimizing Conditions for Learning and Teaching in K-20 Education

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Groups of teachers working together to improve teaching and learning within their classrooms. Learn more in: Challenges to Implementing STEM Professional Development From an Ecological Systems Perspective

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A method to foster collaborative learning among colleagues within a particular work environment or field. Learn more in: Generalizable Models for Online Professional Learning Communities for America's K-12 Teachers

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Groups of preservice or practicing teachers who come together to learn more about teaching and to improve their pedagogical practices. Learn more in: Authentic Inquiry With Undergraduate Preservice Teachers in Synchronous Interactive Video Conferencing Courses

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Working groups of educators that collaborate to develop instructional strategies and skills and analyze data to improve student achievement. Learn more in: How School Leaders Can Support Teachers With Program Implementation

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In the context of this chapter, a professional learning community can be formal or informal and serves the function of providing collaboration with colleagues for the purpose of discussing strategies of best practice for teaching online, examining one’s own teaching outcomes through collection of data, and making decisions for teaching modifications based on collected data. Learn more in: The Pivotal Role of Faculty in Online Student Engagement and Retention