As the first part of the LeaFaP project, we conducted an extensive international literature review focusing on the concepts of leading and facilitating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). This literature review aimed to provide a robust theoretical foundation for understanding the role of PLCs in educational settings, with a particular emphasis on inquiry and reflection as essential components for effective professional collaboration.
Purpose and Approach
The primary goal of this literature review was to develop a theory- and needs-based conceptual framework for PLC leadership and facilitation. This framework is intended to guide educational practitioners in fostering effective collaboration within PLCs, ultimately leading to improved teaching practices and student outcomes.
To achieve this, we compiled insights from a wide range of national reports representing various European and US perspectives on PLCs. These reports were grounded in a diverse array of literature, reflecting the rich discourse surrounding PLCs across different educational systems and cultural contexts.
Methodology
The review process was systematically structured to extract and analyze information from at least seven peer-reviewed journal articles per national report. These articles primarily focused on conceptual discussions, while a few provided empirical data or practical implications. The collected data was then categorized and synthesized to identify common themes and gaps in the existing research.
We employed a set of guiding questions developed collaboratively by the project consortium, which addressed various dimensions of PLCs, including their concept, settings, inquiry and reflection processes, and the roles and challenges faced by PLC facilitators and leaders.
Conclusions and Implications
The findings from our literature review will directly inform the next steps in the LeaFaP project. These include the development of a conceptual framework and learning outcomes for PLC leadership and facilitation, as well as the creation of training modules and resources for educational practitioners.
The national reports, as well as the international report, are available as PDF downloads in the Results section of our website.
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