Shelly Henderson - EDT 3470 - Reading Reflection #2

Learning Communities are groups of educational professionals committed to working collaboratively on ways to make their school better.  These teams meet often to discuss issues facing them in their classrooms and schools, and to work together to solve problems creatively.  Teachers in a Professional Learning Community may bring something to present to the group knowing that they will get constructive feedback.  These communities encourage colleagues to work together in new ways and learn together.

I think the benefits of Learning Communities are great.  Educators need time to talk with their peers, brainstorm, and problem solve.  They are able to see what others are doing, offer feedback to one another and broaden their scope of teaching.  With participation in such a group, teachers find themselves a part of a community instead of in an isolated classroom on their own.  Teachers find that they are a part of a bigger picture and that increases their commitment.  They are able to share responsibility and find that learning is more powerful.  Plus, when teachers are given the opportunity to meet and support one another, they find that change is much more likely to happen. 

I think that the biggest affect that Learning Communities have on teachers is the feeling that you are not alone.  A classroom can be a lonely place, especially in a schedule where your contact with other teachers is limited.  Teachers need each other to share ideas, get constructive feedback, etc.  As part of a Learning Community, teachers find a support system and are better able to tackle a problem creatively.  For example, working with another in meeting a project based learning goal allows for sharing ideas, the workload, the evaluation, etc.  It is a lot more fun to share the journey!

Students benefit from Learning Communities as well.  Teachers who are involved in a community have their students at the center and the best interests of their classrooms in mind.  If teachers are allowed the time to collaborate with other teachers in their field, grade level, etc., they are more likely to try new things, explore other possibilities for their class, and are learners themselves.  It shows their students that they are not afraid of change, challenges, and learning themselves.  I think that the effect that can have on a student is huge! 

Having a shared vision contributes to the success of a Learning Community.  Educators that have a clear sense of their mission, share a vision of the conditions they must create to achieve the mission, and are willing to work together in teams to figure out the best practice to achieve the mission, will benefit greatly from being a part of such a community.  Their focus is on student learning, they have goals and are focused on results, plus they share beliefs and values.  The more they see themselves as a team of life-long learners with a shared vision, the more they will enjoy the process and create tremendous results. 

I think that this chapter relates to my project because I am working with a teammate who shares the same vision I do.  We are both looking for ways to increase student learning and engagement.  We are willing to share with one another and work together to achieve our goals.  We are committed to the creation of a PBL project that brings weather alive to both students and ourselves.  I like going into this project knowing that I have someone to work with, bounce ideas off of, learn with and learn from.  I think that is what a Learning Community is all about.