Technology+Tools+for+the+Curriculum+Development+Leader

=Professional Learning Communities (Communicate, Collaborate)= =**Tools**= Communication is crucial between leaders, staff, parents, and the community. According to Schrum and Levin (2009) effective communication tools include: Effective communication is imperative to sustaining professional learning communities. Brooks-Young (2007) suggests he following tools:
 * Wikis which allow a group of people to contribute information.
 * Blogs may be used to communicate with parents, staff, and the community.
 * Podcasts which are voice recordings.
 * E-portfolios are electronic learning environments which may be used by teachers or students.
 * Video conferencing
 * Create classroom web pages to increase and enhance communication with students, parents, and the community.
 * Create newsletters online.
 * Inform communication and technology using International Society For Technology in Education ([|www.iste.org]) Institute
 * Inform communication and technology using the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)

=**Information and Resou**res= The following sites offer information and resources on developing PLCs according to Ford (2007). Martin- Kneips (2008) suggests communities that last:
 * Association for Supevision and Curriculum Developent [|www.ascd.org].
 * Just Ask Publications and Professional Development [|www.askeducation.com].
 * Solution-tree [|www.solution-tree.com/Public/Main.aspx].
 * Rasberry and Mahajan (2008) suggest to sustain PLCs state, district, and school policies should support and promote collaboration and decision making..
 * The authors also suggest leaders distribute leadership among teams.
 * Relate the mision and purpose of the organization.
 * See the big picture of the organization.
 * Prepare for unintended consequences.
 * Identify interdependencies.
 * Explore cause and effect relationships in the school's structures, programs, policies, and practices.
 * Locate optimum entry points for their actions.
 * Work toward sustaining change.

=Strategies and Ideas= To form successful PLCs Ford (2007) suggests: Additionally, Rasberry and Mahajan (2008) suggest successful PLCs have the following actions: Dispositions are required for successful PLCs according to Martin-Kneip (2008). These dispositions are:
 * Teacher collaboration is a district consensus objective involving staff, parents, and teachers.
 * Time for collaboration is built into teachers' workweek.
 * Staff development is based on data-based decision making.
 * Teachers communicate collaboratively and systematically across the organization of a school.
 * Rotate members roles.
 * Provide an agenda of guidelines and goals to maximize time.
 * Provide time for teachers to observe and mentor each other.
 * PLCs are differentiated based on the needs of teachers and students.
 * PLCs provide on going evaluation of best instructional practices.
 * Commitment to understanding strategic planning and decision making based on the continuous use of data to improve teaching and learning.
 * The willingness and commitment to work in learning communities to create quality work and revise work continuously.
 * The willingness to share responsibility and divergent thinking.
 * Commitment to reflect on planning and decision making.
 * Commitment to engage, develop, and disseminate knowledge.
 * Commitment to participate with colleagues to support community concerns.

References Brooks-Young, S. (2007). Putting the lure in learning community. //The Journal// 34 (8) 18-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Ford, H. (2007). Professional learning communities. //District Administration// 94-95. Retrieved from Academic Search Complete database. Martin-Kneip, G. O. (2008) Communities that learn, lead. and last: Building and sustaining educational expertise. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Rasberry, M. and Mahjan, G. (2008). From isolation to collaboration: Promoting teacher leadership through PLCs. Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ) 1-24. Schrum. L. and Levin, B. B. (2009). Learning 21st Century schools: Harnessing technology for engagement and achievement. Thousand Oak, CA: Corwin Press.

=Barbara Moore=