Facilitating a community of practice to encourage organizational leadership: The journey of a professional developer
DISSERTATION
Teresa S. Foulger, Pepperdine University, United States
Pepperdine University . Awarded
Abstract
This study explored the process of professional development involving five teacher participants working as a community of practice (CoP) in collaboration with a professional developer (the researcher). Of specific focus were factors related to the professional developer, the CoP, and the infrastructure that encouraged the teachers involved in the CoP to express leadership directed towards schoolwide change. The findings of this study were compared to the recommendations proposed by the National Staff Development Council's (NSDC) Standards for Staff Development.
Using action research methodology, the researcher was an active participant in the process as a consultant to a K–8 school seeking to increase technology integration.
The qualitative analysis of surveys, participant reflections, interviews, and artifacts indicated that skills and behaviors of the professional developer, the sociocultural environment, and the various elements of the infrastructure did increase the interest and commitment for members of the CoP to share knowledge with those outside their group. Although there was evidence that CoP teachers did participate in sharing knowledge beyond their CoP, any long-term effects were not investigated.
Because the findings generated by this research were based on a particular school setting and involved unique individuals, other professional developers in the field might not be able to generalize the findings to their own situations.
The NSDC standards related to context, process, and content of professional development models depict a standardized approach that might not include many of the nuances that appeared to be related to the success of this particular professional development effort utilizing CoPs. Further research related to these nuances might benefit those interested in organizational change.
Citation
Foulger, T.S. Facilitating a community of practice to encourage organizational leadership: The journey of a professional developer. Ph.D. thesis, Pepperdine University. Retrieved August 8, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/123450/.
This record was imported from
ProQuest on October 23, 2013. [Original Record]
Citation reproduced with permission of ProQuest LLC.
For copies of dissertations and theses: (800) 521-0600/(734) 761-4700 or https://dissexpress.umi.com
