SHIFT SHIFT HAPPENS!HAPPENS!
English Montreal School English Montreal School BoardBoard
AQIFGA Sheraton , LavalAQIFGA Sheraton , LavalApril 18, 2013April 18, 2013
LEARNING CIRCLES
WORKSHOP GOAL WORKSHOP GOAL
The goal of this workshop is to introduce The goal of this workshop is to introduce
participants to the concept of learning participants to the concept of learning circles as a circles as a
form of professional development for form of professional development for individuals individuals
involved in the field of education.involved in the field of education.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Definition:Definition:
the the processprocess of of
enhancing staff enhancing staff
(teachers’ and(teachers’ and
administrators’)administrators’)
skills and competenciesskills and competencies
with the aim of with the aim of improvingimproving
student learning gainsstudent learning gains
Purpose:Purpose:
to to enableenable staff staff
members to members to developdevelop the the
knowledge, skills and knowledge, skills and
behaviors required to behaviors required to create safecreate safe
learning environments that learning environments that
enable enable all all students tostudents to
demonstrate higher levels demonstrate higher levels of of
achievementachievement
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ACTIVITY ACTIVITY 11
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PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT
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TRADITIONAL PD TRADITIONAL PD OFTEN…OFTEN…
Is fragmented and simplisticIs fragmented and simplistic
Addresses too many topicsAddresses too many topics
Lacks focusLacks focus
Lacks sustained support and follow-throughLacks sustained support and follow-through
Does not result in change in student Does not result in change in student achievementachievement
Is not readily integrated with classroom practiceIs not readily integrated with classroom practice
Relegates participants to a passive roleRelegates participants to a passive role
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CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVEEFFECTIVE PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT Results-drivenResults-driven
Focused on helping teachers become deeply Focused on helping teachers become deeply immersed in subject matter and teaching immersed in subject matter and teaching methodsmethods
Curriculum-centeredCurriculum-centered
Sustained, thorough and cumulativeSustained, thorough and cumulative
Directly linked to what teachers do in their Directly linked to what teachers do in their classroomsclassrooms
Supported by administrationSupported by administration
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WHY LEARNING CIRCLES?WHY LEARNING CIRCLES?
One of the One of the most effective most effective
forms of professional development is forms of professional development is when when
teachers have opportunities to work teachers have opportunities to work together and together and
learn from each other. learn from each other.
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ACTIVITY ACTIVITY 22 WHAT IS A LEARNING WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE? CIRCLE?
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ACTIVITY 2ACTIVITY 2 WHAT IS A LEARNING WHAT IS A LEARNING CIRCLE?CIRCLE?
How does a learning circle differ from a How does a learning circle differ from a discussion group?discussion group?
What are the six essential condition for What are the six essential condition for authentic professional development?authentic professional development?
What role can a learning circle play in your What role can a learning circle play in your centre?centre?
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LEARNING CIRCLESLEARNING CIRCLES
DefinitionDefinition
OrganizationOrganization
Roles Roles
Essential conditionsEssential conditions
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OBSERVATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS AND
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
Teachers who participate in learning Teachers who participate in learning circlescircles
Feel less isolatedFeel less isolated
Create new knowledge about teaching Create new knowledge about teaching and learningand learning
Have an increased understanding of the Have an increased understanding of the curriculum and of the roles they play in curriculum and of the roles they play in helping students learnhelping students learn
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OBSERVATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS AND
CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS
(cont.) (cont.)
Are more open to changeAre more open to change
Are better informed and more inspiredAre better informed and more inspired
Show more satisfaction and higher Show more satisfaction and higher moralemorale
Share responsibility for teaching and Share responsibility for teaching and learninglearning
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GALILEO ADULT CENTREGALILEO ADULT CENTRE LEARNING CIRCLE LEARNING CIRCLE
TestimonialsTestimonials
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REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS
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EMSB LEARNING CIRCLESEMSB LEARNING CIRCLES
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