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PROFESSIONAL LEARNING GROUPS
PREPARE
This page gives you the steps for How to set up a PLG. Aligning the Prepare aspect of the UDL implementation tool with the setup of Professional Learning Groups (PLGs) lays the groundwork for your area of focus.. By assessing educators' knowledge, identifying gaps, and designing targeted professional development opportunities within PLGs, a supportive and growth-oriented learning environment is fostered. PLGs become a collaborative space where educators can exchange ideas, share insights, and collectively deepen their understanding of the focus area.
HOW TO SET UP A PLG
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IDENTIFY THE PURPOSE AND GOALS
The first step is to define the purpose of the PLG and its goals. The purpose could be to share knowledge, network with other professionals, or develop new skills. The goals should be specific and measurable, such as improving the group's expertise or expanding the group's network.
Identify the learning goals: Start by identifying the learning goals for the group. What do you want the group to achieve? What knowledge, skills, and attitudes do you want them to develop?
2
DEFINE THE GROUP'S SCOPE
Determine the scope of the PLG, including the size of the group, and the type of topics to be covered. You may want to consider creating work streams (or projects) or committees to address specific topics or interests.
3
RECRUIT MEMBERS
Identify potential members who share the same interests and goals. This could be done through seeking Expressions of Interest. Reach out to colleagues, and use networking groups (such as other RTLB clusters). It's important to have a diverse group of members who bring different perspectives and experiences.
4
ESTABLISH MEETING SCHEDULES
As RTLB, support schools to determine the frequency, location, and duration of hui. Provide multiple means for meeting, such as virtual or in-person and set up a schedule that works for all members. Establish communication channels - determine how the group will communicate. Consider using a group messaging app, emails or shared cloud platform for file sharing (eg Trello; Google docs).
5
DEVELOP AN AGENDA
RTLB will support the group to develop an agenda for the meetings, including time for whakawhanaungatanga, updates, discussions, and action items. Encourage members to share their experiences and knowledge with the group.
How to guide for setting up a Professional Learning Group
Here are some steps to consider when designing a professional learning group using a UDL lens. Setting up a professional learning group involves several steps, including identifying the group's purpose and goals, (vision and values), selecting members, creating a meeting schedule, and establishing communication channels. Here's a general outline of the process: Setting up a Professional Learning Group (PLG) can be a valuable way for professionals in a similar field or with similar interests to collaborate and learn from each other.
Hover over the numbers on the left hand panel for a guide on how to set up a PLG:
6
ASSIGN ROLE RESPONSIBILITES
Assign roles and responsibilities to the members, such as a facilitator, secretary, or event planner. This will help ensure that the group runs smoothly and stays on track.
7
EVALUATE PROGRESS
Regularly evaluate the group's progress - this can be done using multiple means such as on-line surveys, discussion groups, paper-based responses or any other means that fit with the schoolwide community culture. Adjust the goals and format as needed.
By following these steps, you can create a successful PLG that will benefit all members and help everyone achieve their professional goals.
HOW TO ESTABLISH ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Professional learning groups are communities of individuals who come together with the goal of developing their skills and knowledge in a particular field. Within these groups, there are typically a few different roles that members take on to ensure that the group is functioning effectively. All roles can rotate so all group members have the opportunity to experience each role.
Co-ordinator
CO-ORDINATOR
The coordinator is responsible for scheduling meetings, sending out reminders, and coordinating logistics, including the agenda in collaboration with the rest of the group. They help to keep the group on track and ensure that everyone is informed about upcoming events.
FACILITATOR
The facilitator is responsible for guiding the group's discussions and activities. They help to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute and that the group stays focused on its goals. The facilitator is also responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the group's activities and making suggestions for improvement. They help to ensure that the group is meeting its goals and that everyone is getting the most out of their participation.
Facilitator
Recorder
RECORDER
The recorder is responsible for taking minutes, during meetings and keeping track of the group's progress. They help to ensure that everyone is aware of what has been discussed and what still needs to be accomplished.
Team Member
TEAM MEMBER
All members of the group are learners, but some may take on a more active role in seeking out information and resources that can benefit the group. All group members are responsible for gathering and sharing relevant research or resources related to the group's topic of focus. Team members are also problem solvers and are responsible for identifying and helping to address any challenges or obstacles that the group may encounter in achieving its goals.
TIME KEEPER
The timekeeper is responsible for keeping track of time during the group's meetings, ensuring that everyone has equal time to share their ideas, and keeping the group on schedule.
Timekeeper
Overall, the success of a professional learning group depends on the active participation and collaboration of all members. By taking on different roles and working together towards a common goal, team members can achieve their shared objectives and continue to grow and develop as professionals.
HOW TO ESTABLISH VISION AND VALUES
Presented here is one possible way of developing the 'why, what and how' of the Vision and Values of your PLG group. RTLB can support the group with the development of their shared vision. This is an important aspect of building a strong group and creating a sense of unity and purpose.
01
Start by establishing clear goals and objectives for the group. Determine the ‘Why?’, “What?’ and ‘How?’ of your group’s work. This will help you identify what you want to achieve together and what is important to you.
02
Encourage open communication among group members. It's important that everyone has a chance to express their thoughts and ideas, and that everyone feels heard.
03
Conduct brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and perspectives on what the group's vision should be.
04
Once you have a list of ideas, narrow them down to the most important and relevant ones.
05
Once you have a clear vision, make sure that everyone in the group is aware of it. It's important to have a shared understanding of the groups ‘Why?, What? and How?’
06
Incorporate the vision into the group's activities and decision-making processes. Make sure that it is always top of mind and guides the group's actions and behaviours. Remember that developing a shared vision is an ongoing process. It requires continuous commitment from all members of the group.
HOW TO COLLATE AND CURATE RESOURCES
Curating Physical Resources for a professional learning group involves identifying and selecting relevant and high-quality materials that will support the group's learning objectives. Here are some steps to consider:
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Define the learning objectives: Start by defining the learning objectives of the professional learning group. This will help you determine the types of resources you need to curate.
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Identify relevant topics: Based on the learning objectives, identify the topics that the group needs to learn about. This will help you narrow down the types of resources you need to find.
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Gather resources: Once you've identified the topics, start gathering resources that will support the learning objectives. Resources can include articles, research papers, books, videos, podcasts, and webinars.
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Evaluate resources: As you gather resources, evaluate them to ensure they meet the group's needs. Consider factors such as the quality of the content, relevance to the learning objectives, and the credibility of the source.
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Organize resources: Once you've selected the resources, organise them in a way that makes sense for the group. This might involve categorising resources by topic, type of resource, or level of difficulty.
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Share resources: Finally, share the curated resources with the professional learning group. This can be done through a shared folder or website, or by presenting the resources at a meeting. Encourage members of the group to share their own resources as well, to create a collaborative learning experience.
