[The effects of teachers' perception of professional learning communities on student achievement]

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [………..], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the concept of “Education” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “how education tends to impact and groom the development and growth of different people” and its relation with “the growth of different people and places that seize to exist in communities”. The research also analyzes many aspects of “how education benefits communities in the long run” and tries to gauge its effect on “student's achievement, which contributes and targets both micro and macro development of the society as a whole”. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for “adopting education as a winning tool” and weighing its healthy, visible impacts upon the development of students, their cognitions and their growth to become valuable assets of tomorrow.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT2

DECLARATION3

ABSTRACT4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW6

Background of the Research6

Significance of the Study7

Professional Learning Communities (PLC's)7

Teachers' collaborative roles in professional learning communities14

Administrators' transformational roles in professional learning communities21

Summary of Literature Review37

References39

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

Background of the Research

Education, teaching and learning, has been the epitome of all life, rise and fall that has been seen and witnessed in the real world. One must understand that in today's modern world, while experience has been preferred related to the corporate world, education till date plays a pivotal role in the grooming and development of the people and students who are aiming to join the corporate world and at the same time intending to becoming a valuable unit of the society, of their community and ultimately of their country (Bingham & Leedy, 2002).

For this purpose, teachers' play a pivotal role in the grooming and development of individual, catering to a variety of masses and people who shall make way for guaranteeing a bright future for young pupils and students, who are inducted and admitted to different schools and educational institutions (Andric, 2000).

Fostering care, consent, concern and cooperation in the area of teaching and learning for students is amongst the most important and critical responsibility for any teacher to make way for progress and development of children. With this paper, our major focus shall be upon the significance of education, its impact on student achievements and its visible, long-term effects in alignment with professional learning communities (Blessing, 2005).

Significance of the Study

With the study undertaken, it would help us make concrete conclusions and claims, which have been previously made regarding the role and perception development of teachers that exist in today's modern world of rapid expansion. Alongside this, we shall also be able to excerpt ...