Network Learning For Educational Change

How do networks create educational change and improve student achievement? What kinds of educational policies and practices facilitate network learning? Networks bring teachers, principals and other stakeholders together to share ideas, observe best practices, identify and analyze problems, and develop strategies for improved teaching, learning, and community life. These networks are becoming an important method to enhance educational renewal and student achievement. Networks go beyond tensions of top-down vs. bottom-up, school development and formal and informal organizational structures. The theoretical base of networking makes use of many different concepts of educational change theory, such as educational change processes, empowering of teachers, professional development, communities of practice, the network society and democratic education. The first part of the book features studies of four ‘established’ networks who have been functioning for several years. These networks describe their accomplishments, challenges, goals, and the theoretical basis of their work. In the second part of the book, three recently developed networks share their ‘start-up’ experiences and lessons learned. The book concludes by looking at networking as a strategy for educational change. Key reading for Education students, educational consultants and teacher educators with an interest in educational leadership and educational change. Contributors: Lew Allen,Linda Atkinson, Tero Autio, Randy Averso, Jean Cate, Dennis W. K. Chan, Chris Day, Victor Forrester, Gregg Garn, Dennis Gentry, Jesse Goodman, Mark Hadfield, Barbara Harold, Frances Hensley, Elaine Jarchow, Gaetane Jean-Marie, Tracey McAskill, Robin McGrew-Zoubi, Mary John O’Hair, Ulrich C. Reitzug, Eero Ropo, Joan Rué, Wiel Veugelers, Ian Walker, William Y. Wu, Henk Zijlstra.

Social Network Theory and Educational Change offers a provocative and fascinating exploration of how social networks in schools can impede or facilitate the work of education reform. Drawing on the work of leading scholars, the book comprises a series of studies examining networks among teachers and school leaders, contrasting formal and informal organizational structures, and exploring the mechanisms by which ideas, information, and influence flow from person to person and group to group. The case studies provided in the book reflect a rich variety of approaches and methodologies, showcasing the range and power of this dynamic new mode of analysis. An introductory chapter places social network theory in context and explains the basic tools and concepts, while a concluding chapter points toward new directions in the field. Taken together, they make a powerful statement: that the success or failure of education reform ultimately is not solely the result of technical plans and blueprints, but of the relational ties that support or constrain the pace, depth, and direction of change. This unique volume provides an invaluable introduction to an emerging and increasingly important field of education research.

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Over the last few decades there have been attempts at planned educational change. The benefits have not equalled the cost. Fullan distils from these experiences lessons about how to cope with, and influence, educational change.

"Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley, always one or two steps ahead of the field, have done it again. An extremely balanced and insightful treatment of the first three ways of change, in which the authors clearly display the strengths and limitations of each model. And then they go to town in mapping out the fourth way—a concise and compelling framework for change that integrates teacher professionalism, community engagement, government policy, and accountability. The Fourth Way is itself a powerful ′catalyst for coherence′ in a field that badly needs guidance. Read the book and rethink your approach to educational reform." —Michael Fullan, Educational Consultant Author, The Challenge of School Change A compelling approach to lasting educational change informed by lessons learned and new successes worldwide! In an expressive and absorbing style, this penetrating volume offers a plan for viable and sustainable educational reform that reflects research on traditional methods and new findings from successful school initiatives around the globe. Beginning with an incisive analysis of the three major educational change efforts of the past 25 years, Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley offer a plan that integrates government policy, professional involvement, and public engagement to create an environment of greater inclusiveness, security, and humanity. Drawing on "Four Horizons of Hope"—examples of promising implementation and practice—the book demonstrates how districts and schools can achieve dramatic improvement built on: Six Pillars of Purpose that support change Three Principles of Professionalism that drive change Four Catalysts of Coherence that sustain change Written for educators, consultants, and administrators at the school and district level, The Fourth Way represents an innovative vision of educational change for meeting the dramatic problems and dynamic challenges facing educators in the 21st century.

Educational researchers, policy-makers and practitioners are increasingly focusing their attention on Professional Learning Networks in order to facilitate teacher development and encourage school and school system improvement. However, despite the understanding that PLNs can contribute significantly to improving teaching practice and student achievement, there are key challenges regarding their use. These challenges include: ensuring PLNs can provide opportunities for generating and sharing knowledge within schools enabling teachers and professionals to direct their own development helping individuals change their practices through inquiry-led approaches facilitating partnerships which work across a variety of stakeholders In this new edited volume, Brown and Poortman evaluate these challenges from both a theoretical and practical approach. A multitude of perspectives from a team of international contributors covers: the importance of Professional Learning Networks the use of evidence within PLNs the impact of inter-school networks international cases of networks and communities the promotion and sustainability of PLNs Also featuring case studies and exemplars to contextualise sustainable learning networks, Networks For Learning is an accessible and thoroughly-researched book, which will be essential reading and a valuable resource for researchers, teachers and school leaders who are interested in developing professional learning networks.

This book is concerned with action research as a form of teacher professional development. In it, John Elliot traces the historical emergence and current significance of action research in schools. He examines action research as a "cultural innovation" with transformative possibilities for both the professional culture of teachers and teacher educators in academia and explores how action research can be a form of creative resistance to the technical rationality underpinning government policy. He explains the role of action research in the specific contexts of the national curriculum, teacher appraisal and competence-based teacher training.

Around the globe, there is an increasingly urgent need to provide opportunities for learners to embrace complexity; to develop the many skills and habits of mind that are relevant to today's complex and interconnected world; and to make learning more connected to our rapidly changing workplace and society. This presents an opportunity to (1) leverage new paradigms for understanding the structure and function of teaching and learning communities, and (2) to promote new approaches to developing methods, curricular materials, and resources. Network science - the study of connectivity - can play an important role in these activities, both as an important subject in teaching and learning and as a way to develop interconnected curricula. Since 2010, an international community of network science researchers and educators has come together to raise the global level of network literacy by applying ideas from network science to teaching and learning. Network Science in Education - which refers to both this community and to its activities - has evolved in response to the escalating activity in the field of network science and the need for people to be able to access the field through education channels. Network Science In Education: Transformational Approaches in Teaching and Learning appeals to both instructors and professionals, while offering case studies from a wide variety of activities that have been developed around the globe: the creation of entirely new courses and degree programs; tools for K-20 learners, teachers, and the general public; and in-depth analysis of selected programs. As network-based pedagogy and the community of practice continues to grow, we hope that the book's readers will join this vibrant network education community to build on these nascent ideas and help deepen the understanding of networks for all learners.