PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES

A myriad of factors determine when, where, how and if the staff regularly come together as a unit to do the learning, decision making, problem solving, and creative work that characterize a professional learning community. In order for learning communities to function productively, the physical or structural conditions and the human qualities and capacities of the people involved must be optimal (Louis & Kruse, 1995).⁸

Physical conditions. Physical factors that support learning communities include: designated and protected time to meet and talk, small school size and physical proximity of the staff to one another, interdependent teaching roles, well-developed communication structures, school autonomy, and teacher empowerment.

People capacities. One of the first characteristics cited by Louis and Kruse (1995) of individuals in a productive learning community is a willingness to accept feedback and to work toward improvement. In addition, the following qualities are needed: respect and trust among colleagues at the school and district level, possession of an appropriate cognitive and skill base that enables effective teaching and learning, supportive leadership from administrators and others in key roles, and relatively intensive socialization processes.⁹

Boyd (1992) points out that the physical and people factors are highly interactive, many of them influencing the others.¹⁰