Definition and General Overview of a PLC

 A professional learning community (PLC) is a technique used to promote synergistic learning among colleagues within a specific work environment. In an academic organization, a professional learning community (PLC) includes facilitators and educators who are involved in team collaboration to share knowledge on curriculum issues with a cynosure to enhance instruction and learning.  According to The Educator's Guide to Professional Learning Communities (2022), "A PLC is a process of determining new pathways for student success through the collaboration of teachers and other stakeholders". Google Meet, WhatsApp, GoogleChat, Zoom, Wikis and Blogs are some of the applications used to facilitate PLCs. the professionals in a PLC has to agree to this strategy for positive results to be accomplished. Shirley Hord (   ) notes that, "A professional learning community (PLC) is a group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise, and works collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students".

A professional learning community is used to enhance proficiency of educators through collaborative inquiry, competent exchange and professional discourse. To guide this venture effectively, educators must ask themselves some pertinent questions:-

1. What is it that we as educators want our students to know and be able to do?/ What are the objectives?

2. How will we know if we have achieved these objectives?

3. What measure will we as educators take when students do not achieve these objectives?

4. How will we cater to the students who have not grasped the objectives versus the students who have grasped the objectives?

Miller, A. states that these questions are foundational to any PLC, as they require teachers to come to a common understanding of the learning as well as common assessments that check for understanding.

Therefore in order to achieve these objectives, educators must remain in constant communication and reflect regularly to analyze the outcome of their mission. According to Learning Forward (2014), “In order to keep the focus on effective professional learning, there are three critical elements that effective learning communities have: continuous improvement, collective responsibility, and alignment and accountability.

The guide to a successful professional learning community (PLC) encompasses, firstly learning rather than just teaching because the end result is what matters most. Hence, the tools used to achieve the end results are most important.. Next, staff members need to communicate with each other on a regular basis to learn from each other. They must all have a shared vision and common goal which is to be used school wide and at each grade level. This allows staff to give their feedback and contribute to their learning and development. Finally, educators don’t only share data and results but they use this data to continue ongoing assessment of programs and initiatives in the school. Focus is not placed on the teacher with the lowest grades but sharing the successes to allow for replication.

Benefits of a PLC