The Power of Teacher Collaboration - How to Work Together to Advance Student Learning

Overview

Brief Description: In this interactive video presentation, we will explore the benefits of teacher collaboration and how to maximize collaboration time in order to increase student achievement. Teacher collaboration is an essential component to the profession and is a primary focus in many school districts. Special attention will be given to how to engage with colleagues in a way that can advance student learning. The concept of professional learning communities (PLCs) will be explored as well. By the end of this power-up, you will be able to identify specific practices that can encourage collaboration amongst your colleagues and improve student learning.

Essential Questions:

1. What is a PLC?

2. What practices encourage effective teacher collaboration?

3. What is a teacher’s role in collaboration?

Learning Outcomes

• Engage in iterative cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational contexts and systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners.

Success Criteria

• Collaborate with a team of teachers or teacher candidates and apply two concepts discussed in this power-up.

• Submit a 1-2 page reflection about your application of two concepts from this power-up.

Power-Up Instructions

• Review the learning outcome and consider how you might be able to contribute to a collaborative group and advance student learning.

• Make a copy of the slidedeck for review and notetaking.

• Watch this presentation on The Power of Teacher Collaboration (20 minutes)

• Complete the Application Activity.

Application Activity

Application Activity:

To apply your learning, please complete the following activities:

1. Work with a team of teachers or teacher candidates and apply two concepts discussed in this power-up.

2. Reflect on your collaboration time (in writing or video) and respond to the following prompts:

   1. What was the focus of your meeting?

   2. Which two concepts did you apply to your meeting? How did those concepts facilitate the meeting and/or assist your contributions?

   3. What changes or improvements would you make to another meeting with this group?

3. Submit your reflection to the prompts in your submission for this power-up.

References

• Adams, Alexa. (2020, March 5). Collaboration and collective inquiry in a PLC. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/collaboration-and-collective-inquiry-plc.

• Brown III, G. (2016). Leadership’s influence: A case study of an elementary principal’s indirect impact on student achievement. Education, 137(1), 101-115.

• DuFour, R., DuFour, R., & Eaker, R. (2008). Revisiting professional learning communities at work: New insights for improving schools. Solution Tree.

• DuFour, R., DuFour, R., Eaker, R., & Many, T. (2006). Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work. pp. 2–4.

• [Edutopia]. (2015, August 15). Teacher Collaboration: Spreading Best Practices School-Wide [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85HUMHBXJf4

• Fresko, B. & Nasser-Abu A, F.. (2015). Induction seminars as professional learning communities for beginning teachers. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 43(1), 36-48.

• Gogek, Daniel. (2015, December 5). Pixar’s secret weapon that makes meetings productive and movies great: ‘PLussing.”” Linkedin. https://www.edutopia.org/article/collaboration-and-collective-inquiry-plc.

• Graybill, O. & Brown Easton, L.. (2015). The art of dialogue. Educational Leadership, 72(7). http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr15/vol72/num07/The-Art-of-Dialogue.aspx#el201504_guidelines

• [Litmos Heroes]. (2014, December 12). How to Deal with Conflict [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLbGHQo4qnA

• Minero, Emelina. (2015, August 24). Keeping the door open to collaboration. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/practice/teacher-collaboration-matching-complementary-strengths.

• Provini, C. (2012). Best practices for professional learning communities. Education World. https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/best-practices-for-professional-learning-communities.shtm

• Snyder, J. and Bae, S. (2017). “The kids benefit from it, so it’s worth it”: Time for teaching and learning at SMASH. Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education.

• Spencer, John. [John Spencer]. (2017, September 17). The 7 Keys to Creative Collaboration [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DmFFS0dqQc&t=1s

• Thessin, R. A. (2015). Learning from one urban school district: Planning to provide essential supports for teachers' work in professional learning communities. Educational Planning, 22(1), 15-27.

Recommended Resources

• Francis, G.L., Blue-Banning, M., Haines, S.J., Turnbull, A., Gross, J.M. (2016). Building “our school”: Parental perspectives for building trusting family-professional partnerships. Preventing School Failure, 60(4), 329-336.

• Hsaio, Y., Higgins, K., Diamond, L. (2018). Parent empowerment Respecting their voices. Teaching Exceptional Children, 51(1), 43-53.

• Lawrence-Lightfoot, S. (2003). The Essential Conversation. What Parents and Teachers Can Learn From Each Other. New York: Ballantine Book.

• Symeou, L., Roussounidou, E., Michaelides, M. (2012). “I feel much more confident now to talk with parents”: An evaluation of in-service training on teacher-parent communication. The School Community Journal, 22(1), 65-87.