Journals as Frameworks for Professional Learning Communities

"We successfully used the first edition and are especially excited about this revision, with updated journal designs and a CD-ROM. Now we have digital access and can easily share files and archive our efforts."
--Aminda Gentile, Director
UFT Teacher Centers

Increase the power of professional learning communities through the use of structured journaling.

Educators working together in learning communities share a common objective: to develop broader and deeper understandings about the work that they do. As professionals, these participants look for opportunities to reflect on research and consider new practices that will impact student learning

In Journals as Frameworks for Professional Learning Communities, international consultant Mary E. Dietz demonstrates five types of structured journals expressly tailored to the scope and purpose of professional learning communities (PLCs). Each of the journals in this groundbreaking guide follows a clearly defined four-step process--purpose, focus, process, and outcome--and provides a framework that promotes collaboration, continuous learning, and improved student achievement.

The standard PLC Journal supports a collaborative effort focused on facilitating school reform. The School Portfolio Journal aids those convened to study individual schools and their benefits. The Action Research Journal builds teachers' skills as researchers, and the Professional Performance Portfolio supports the development of highly qualified teachers. Finally, the PLC Instructional Planning Journal helps participants align professional development with instructional priorities.With each journal type, the author includes:

• Step-by-step instructions for using structured journals
• Illustrations of the four-step journaling process
• Case studies drawn from actual experiences with educators and school communities
• Opportunities for PLC participants to consider new practices that can boost student learning
• A section devoted to reflection and conversation

This comprehensive resource provides teachers, administrators, and other PLC members with powerful support for change and growth. The book and accompanying CD-ROM include helpful hints and strategies, a learning communities readiness rubric, implementation tools, and blank journal templates.

This guide illustrates a four-step structured journaling process of purpose, focus, process, and outcome and provides case studies, sample journals, and a CD-ROM with implementation tools.

Mary Dietz is an international consultant specializing in assisting educators in building capacity to establish and facilitate learning communities. She is also co-founder of LearnCity, an educational technology firm offering a web-based solution for designing, implementing, and assessing standards-based instruction, K-12. Her work is focused on coaching educational systems through the design and implementation of school reform efforts. Much of her work with educators has been in the areas of continuous improvement, professional development, coaching, and alternative performance assessments for educators. She established the Portfolio Network for the National Staff Development Council (NSDC), dedicated to promoting the portfolio process for professional learning. She has coached teachers, administrators, school boards, and communities in establishing the relationships necessary for systemic change. Most recently she served as designer and facilitator of an online Knowledge Management System for managing standards-based instruction in California.