As the second part of the LeaFaP project, we conducted a series of focus group interviews with educators across several countries to gain deeper insights into the experiences, practices, challenges, and needs of those involved in leading and facilitating Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). These interviews are a critical component of our research, designed to complement the literature review and inform the development of a comprehensive training program for PLC leaders and facilitators.
Purpose and Approach
The primary objective of the focus group interviews was to gather qualitative data on the roles and responsibilities of PLC leaders and facilitators, the factors influencing their effectiveness, and the specific challenges they face. This information is intended to help us tailor our training programs to meet the real-world needs of educators involved in PLCs. Focus groups were conducted across multiple countries, including Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Norway, and Spain. In addition to focus groups, some individual interviews were carried out to provide more detailed insights. Participants included a diverse range of educational professionals, such as school leaders, external facilitators, and student teachers, all of whom have been actively involved in PLCs.
Methodology
We employed a standardized interview protocol, developed collaboratively by the LeaFaP project team. This protocol was designed to cover key areas related to PLC leadership and facilitation, such as the roles and responsibilities of leaders and facilitators, the effectiveness of PLC practices, the challenges encountered, and the specific competencies required for these roles. The protocol was adapted to suit different groups of participants, including student teachers, school leaders, and external facilitators. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis based on the topics outlined in the interview protocol. This process allowed us to identify common themes, challenges, and needs across different educational contexts.
Conclusions and Implications
The findings from these focus group interviews provide valuable insights into the practical realities of leading and facilitating PLCs. They highlight the complexity of these roles and the multifaceted competencies required to perform them effectively. These insights will directly inform the development of our training programs, ensuring they are grounded in the lived experiences of educators.
The national reports and the consolidated international report derived from these interviews are available as PDF downloads in the Results section of our website. These documents provide a detailed account of the findings and are an essential resource for anyone interested in the facilitation and leadership of PLCs.
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