Reflection 2

A learning organization, or learning community, is a very common term found in the education field.  A learning organization is defined as "any business, work team, big or small, that engages in ongoing, collaborative problem solving focused on making the business better."  The members of this learning community work together to achieve their desired results, while also learning new paterns of thinking and learning how to learn together. 

In schools teachers spend a few hours a week together, but a majority of their time spent addressing schedules, addressing students issues, planning school events, and tending to other necessities.  Professional learning communities change the usual ways schools operate.  By creating a professional learning community, colleagues will find time to collaborate and work together. 

The benefits of learning communities can improve school systems around the country.  Among the many benefits, teachers will find that in a learning community there will be decreased teacher isolation, increased commitment to the mission, a shared responsibility, more powerful learning, and a higher likelihood of systematic change.  "By enlisting like-minded colleagues to lobby together for necessary changes, you create a critical mass of dedicated educators who share a common goal."

When incorporating a learning community, teachers will need to have a clear sense of the mission or overall goal.  In order to meet this goal, teachers will need to have a shared vision for how to achieve this goal.  They will then work together to determine the best practices to achieve the mission or goals by organizing groups headed by lead-teachers.  It is important to focus on the student learning, collaborate with each other, and hold the same values and beliefs.  Lastly, teachers must commit themselves to continuous improvements and see themselves as life-long learners.

A learning community among students require students to work collaboratively to achieve the same overall goal.  For a project-based learning community, learning will be relevant and rigorous.  It will be focused on real-world situations instead of textbook materials.  The students will develop the skills and dispositions necessary; such as communication, problem solving, project management, motivation, and persistence.  While working together, students will share their triumphs and disappointments. 

Students will have to adjust to going from a traditional education to being part of a learning community throughout our project.  Students will be expected to work together, communicate, share a common goal/vision, problem solve, and stay motivated. Through this, students will learn "real-world" skills that will help them be successful throughout their lives.