Although a teacher study group may produce a report or a project, a tangible outcome may be secondary to the learning that the study environment produces. (From “Teacher Study Groups for Professional Development” by Cramer, Hurst, and Wilson)
Rationale for Using the Study Group Process for Staff Development
To address the staff’s desire to focus on self-generated instructional topics, to recognize the strengths inherent in the faculty, and to draw upon those strengths.
To give teachers the opportunity to explore/investigate areas of interest that impact student learning.
Purpose of Study Groups
The purpose of study groups is to provide an arena where teachers and administrators can, on a consistent basis, build their knowledge and expertise through serious conversations and study on what current research says about teaching and learning. From these conversations and study, teachers should apply what they are learning within the structure of their classrooms, collect student work to see if what they are doing is making a difference, discuss the results with their colleagues, and adjust their curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices as necessary. (From “Setting up the Study Groups” publication by the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL))
