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Solutions for Professional Learning Communities
How to Use Digital Tools to Support Teachers in a PLC
William M. Ferriter
Copyright © 2015 by Solution Tree Press
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction of this book in whole or in part in any form.
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Visit go.solution-tree.com/PLCbooks to access the links mentioned in this book.
Printed in the United States of America
19 18 17 16 15 1 2 3 4 5
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ferriter, William M.
How to use digital tools to support teachers in a PLC / William M. Ferriter.
pages cm -- (Solutions)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-942496-00-7 (perfect bound) 1. Professional learning communities. 2. Professional learning communities--Computer networks. 3. Teachers--In-service training--Computer networks. 4. Mentoring in education--Computer networks. I. Title.
LB1738.F48 2015
370.71’1--dc23
2015004803
Solution Tree Jeffrey C. Jones, CEO Edmund M. Ackerman, President
Solution Tree Press President: Douglas M. Rife Associate Acquisitions Editor: Kari Gillesse Editorial Director: Lesley Bolton Managing Production Editor: Caroline Weiss Copy Editor: Ashante K. Thomas Proofreader: Elisabeth Abrams Text and Cover Designer: Rian Anderson Compositor: Rachel Smith
This book is dedicated to Rick and Becky DuFour–two amazing people who leave me inspired, hopeful, and confident that, working together, we CAN create the learning spaces that our students deserve.
Visit go.solution-tree.com/PLCbooks to access the links mentioned in this book.
Table of Contents
Chapter 3: Taking Collective Action
Finding Sources of Professional Challenge and Inspiration
Remember to Follow Users With Similar Interests as Yours
Remember to Find and Follow Hashtags Connected to Your Interests
Remember That Reading Every Message Is Impossible
Remember That Sharing Content Is as Important as Finding Content Others Share
Organizing Comprehensive Collections of Web-Based Resources
Create a Group in Diigo for Your Learning Team
Create a Common Tagging Language
Include Written Descriptions for Every Link
Set Aside Time to Clean and Polish Your Resource Collection
Teach Students to Use Diigo for Shared Research Projects
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Cooperating
Successful Negotiating in PLCs
Moving From Negotiations to the Collaborative Production of Content in PLCs
Create a Common Naming Structure for Files in Shared Folders
Create Templates for Common Document Types
Set Aside Time to Clean Out Shared Folders
Sharing Beyond Your Learning Team
Remember Wikis Are Public Places to Store the Shared Content Your Team Is Creating Together
Add Short Written Descriptions to Every Piece of Content Posted
Add Links to Files Created in Services Like Google Drive or Dropbox to Your Wiki
Settle on a Predetermined Structure for Organizing Content
Assign Monitoring Responsibilities to Individual Teachers
Leave Wikis Open for Viewing to Facilitate Cooperation Beyond Your Learning Team
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Taking Collective Action
Collective Action Depends on Cohesion
Use Asynchronous Conversations as Starting Points for Face-to-Face Faculty Discussions
