Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work

by Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert E. Eaker

Like the first edition, the second edition of Learning by A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work helps educators close the knowing-doing gap as they transform their schools into professional learning communities (PLCs).

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Leadership, Teaching, School, Reference

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tenille Shade · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in learning how to create a collaborative culture on your campus, this is the book you need. After attending several PLC (Professional Learning Community) conferences, I was still a little puzzled about the journey. This book brought all the pieces of the puzzle together. I was particularly impacted by the reference to Jim Collins book, Built to Last. The DuFours talk about rejecting the "Tyranny of the Or" and embracing the "Genius of the And". I have struggled all my life with polarized thinking, and these words helped me clarify the concept of balance. I will no longer be a teacher who works in isolation. All of our students deserve high quality instruction and systematic interventions. A single teacher cannot do it alone!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book had a cult, I would join it.

[Michelle Mayfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to tell you how to improve your PLC. I have a picture in my head now of what we should be doing and how to do it. Hopefully we can make it work next year.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

This truly is the PLC bible. Working through this book with a content area or grade level PLC is absolutely the best PD money can buy. I have attended three workshops with Thomas Many and always came away in awe. Incredibly, at a workshop our district brought Dr. Many in for, our executive director of C and I stood on the stage next to Dr. Many and told the audience that while Dr. Many is indeed the author of this book, we will conduct PLC collaboration in our own way...

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title suggests, it's not enough to just read about how a PLC works. You need to be doing it, too. My PLC read the book this year as a foundational piece of common learning so that when we've got a consistent, regular time in our schedules next year to meet as a PLC, we'll be prepared for what to do during those times. This is definitely a book that I'll come back to and reference frequently in that process. It has many checklists and practical suggestions for how to do the work of a PLC. I also appreciated the many quotes collected within each chapter.

There are several references to other books that go more in depth about some of the topics introduced in this book. They include , and several others that I have yet to read.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be geared more for admin. It was a rather dry read from a teacher's perspective. It took me a year to chip away at it. Blahhhh

The district I work for has bought into all the ideas presented in this book so I was given it to read as professional development at our staff meetings and lead teacher meetings. I don't have a problem with PLC's and the work that is done within these groups. I think if everyone buys into this system and it is supported from the top down it will benefit students and help teachers improve their craft. The major issue I have with PLCs is that the collaborative work that is expected within these groups is extremely time consuming. Teachers are never compensated for the time that it takes for a PLC to be truly effective and I have seen firsthand and heard from many colleagues around my district that they are burned out from having too many forced meetings

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned about PLCs a long time ago, and after attending a PLC Summit a few week's ago, I realized I needed to revisit PLCs and start by reading this book by DuFour and DuFour who started it all. Richard DuFour died a year after this book was published, but he ensured his work will continue by bringing on new partners (just see the other three authors credited for this book).

This book is comprehensive! For those who read DuFour's previous work, you still need to read this book because it focuses on two new topics - common formative assessments and sustaining teams when members leave and new members join (it's not as easy as it sounds). This book also reminds us that we need to be committed to the PLC process and not settle for PLC "lite" or stop at just being interested in the idea.

The book progresses from explaining what PLCs are to why they are needed (their purpose) to how to create and sustain them to (and I never thought of this one) how to celebrate them. In addition, there are charts; links to online guides, surveys, and other resources; and assessment check-ins at the end of each chapter.

This is the book to use for any school on their PLC journey, regardless of what step they are on or how long they have been using PLCs to effect positive change in their schools.

[Shari Hardinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teachers Have the Most Powerful Knowledge when they Collaborate

As administrators we don’t want to put one more thing on our teachers’ plates, but PLCs are one thing all schools should be implementing. PLCs are about collaboration. Collaboration of our best and brightest: our teachers. When teachers put their heads together to analyze student data and figure out how to intervene, great things happen for students. Our students can do nothing BUT succeed when this happens. This book walks you through and simplifies the process of PLCs. I am inspired to rethink some of the pieces that we have put into place based on this book. I feel like I have a better understanding of what should now take place moving forward.

[James]

Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work helps educators close the knowing-doing gap as they transform their schools into professional learning communities (PLCs). This handbook is a guide for action that will: Help educators develop a common vocabulary and consistent understanding of key PLC concepts. Present a compelling argument that the implementation of PLC concepts will benefit students and educators alike. Help educators assess the current reality in their own schools and districts. Convince educators to take purposeful steps to develop their capacity to function as PLCs.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best professional development books I have read. The book provides a comprehensive approach to analyzing and improving school culture. Using data and rubrics to explore where the school is on the cultural continuum, the book also provides suggestions and action steps to improve in each area. The book describes best practice for admin and teachers. Balancing responsibility and autonomy.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best and most comprehension PLC book we read during Fall semester 2018 for my masters in school administration. There are so many useful reproducibles in the book that would be great work helping PLCs get started and get off to the right start. Fantastic suggestions and steps to follow to ensure that students learn because of high functioning PLCs.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided some very practical advice on how to organize, set-up and run an effective PLC in a school or district. There is always a bit of disconnect between what is written and what actually happens, but I think this book has provided some effective ways in which we can open the door to creating effective PLCs and ultimately improve student learning.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a grad class. I don’t have any plans to ever be an administrator, but I’d recommend it to anyone who would. There are lots of ideas here that would be useful in directing teachers to work together to affect change.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book around the work of PLCs.
We used this as a building leadership team book study and then went chapter by chapter with staff to roll out and reinforce the PLC work we'd already begun.

On a side note, it took me awhile to notice it but the famous names in the scenarios were hilarious.

[Wesley Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past their trademarked phrases and worksheets, it's a great guide to teacher collaboration that I am excited to use as a leader. I just wish I had this collaborative experience as a teacher.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be great for teachers or admin who have never been with or done PLCs. Gives great content for new people who are new to PLCs.

[Tina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is it. Guaranteed success in the educational system of our students if followed with equity

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for Nixa HS new teacher book study.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book read with my school community. I know I'll refer back to it regularly.

[Kristen Luppino · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much knowledge, so many strategies, so much to build on!

[Mindy Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a PD book. If you want to learn more about PLCs and their importance and how to establish them then this is a great book!

[Jessyca505 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally read this book in 2006 as I started the PLC journey with Truman. Now, 8 years later, I am starting the PLC journey again. I just finished the 2010 2nd Edition, and I am happy that the premise, research, and reasons are still viable and it gives me hope, motivation, and energy to start this journey anew. I have lived it once, and I know it is a process. I am hopeful that we can start a movement where we "work interdependently to achieve common goals for which members are mutually accountable." I am hoping that we can infuse the ethos of professional learning community into every aspect of our school. "When a school becomes a professional learning community, everything in the school looks different than before." At the end of the day, the very essence of a learning community is a focus on and a commitment to the learning of each student.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a professional development group at school. I was hoping to find some inspiration because being part of a PLC whose members teach at different schools around the district and have no oversight in terms of administration who makes sure all members participate, is frustrating at best. I found this book to be very top-heavy, meaning that it was written for administrators who would like to implement PLCs into their schools. I found little to help with feeling disconnected from my fellow PLC members nor to help with members who flat-out refuse to participate with no consequences. I got $100 for participating in this book study but I'm not sure it was worth it!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is based solely on how my hopes for the book did not match the book's hope for me. I was reading this as a teacher hoping to get some insight into how the PLC model is supposed to look in my CLT meetings, but this was a book for administrators hoping to put the model in place from an organizational perspective. Mostly, this just confirmed that I don't want to be an administrator. I much prefer thinking about teaching and learning from a different angle.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explained the concept and plan of action for creating Professional Learning Communities better than any book of the subject I have read thus far. We will be expected to form the type of PLCs outlined in the book next school year. I feel now that I have a plan of action. It will be up to me to do the action called for. As is stated many different ways in Learning by Doing, one learns PLCs by doing PLCs.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best teaching books I've read. I really liked the way the authors organized the information. They authors also provided useful reproducibles that could be brought back to the staff. Very useful. I hope to bring this back to the staff at my school. I think it would be very beneficial for us.

[Spacek Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the workbook for the companion book titled: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities at Work. The authors really set up the process and hammer home the need for it to be tailored to the building in which it will work. A lot of great ideas were shared through case studies to illustrate the care and consideration administrators must take to help PLCs become successful.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

For any educator faced with the daunting task of school reform, here is your handbook. Principles of Professional Learning Communities are explained in a way that makes them feel doable. I'll be keeping this one on my reference shelf.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

NC Virtual Public School is using this book for a book study and creating online learning modules for the staff to gain more insight into this concept.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something to go back to often, this book is less about what's in in and more about what you can pull out of it. If you look at each idea as just that, you will get much out of it.