Residential learning communities (RLCs) are on-campus programs aimed at seamlessly blending the in- and out-of-class experiences for college students. Scholars have demonstrated how RLC initiatives are valuable because they build and reinforce an academic environment, and help facilitate related outcomes (e.g., academic transition, GPA, critical…

This literature review applies Wenger's community of practice framework as a theoretical lens to generate insight about the complex collaborative processes of living labs. The authors explore this model with insights from the literature on labs and then set out to understand higher educational living labs. The findings show that current research…

Four stories of social learning from one Australian university reflect on communities of practice (CoPs) focused on different aspects of quality in teaching and learning. Each convener writes about their CoP convening experience in the context of Wenger-Trayner and Wenger-Trayner's mapping of the "mindset of a systems convener" (2021,…

Institutional transformation and inclusion have slowly become more prominent in the strategies of historically white institutions in South Africa. Despite these efforts, progress towards these goals has been limited. In this article, we reflect on our conversations about transforming our curricula and teaching practices as an interdisciplinary…

This study aimed to advance the use of restorative justice and restorative approaches in graduate academic environments and contributed to the research on implementing the whole-school approach in higher education. The focus of this study was on applying restorative approaches to build community and strengthen relationships among community members…

This qualitative study examines educators' perspectives on how a small learning community impacted the academic achievement of African American males. This study examined a long-standing small learning community (XYZ) located in a suburb in northern New Jersey. This study identified common themes among the perceptions of educators employed at XYZ,…

This study was conducted to determine if there were significant differences between the self-efficacy and responsibility beliefs among those who had received instructional coaching and those who had not. This mixed-methods study used the Teacher Responsibility Scale (TRS) to measure both self-efficacy and responsibility beliefs as well as…

Knowledge Building Communities (KBCs) are principled-based, interactive learning environments designed to scaffold higher levels of student agency and the formulation of goals and questions stemming from students' knowledge-building needs. The design of KBCs is guided by a set of 12 principles that have been examined across hundreds of studies.…

Graduate enrollment in the United States is increasing. With the advent of the cohort learning model and online delivery methods, adult learners now have greater access to higher education. The cohort learning model, which is based on elements of Community of Practice, has been shown to provide learners with a sense of community while also having…

This action research emphasizes the need to implement curricula to engage marginalized students as well as promote literacy and high levels of academic achievement. Marginalized students include minority students who perform far below their White peers on state assessments. In Chapter I, the action research problem of practice is explored. The…

Much of the current literature on teacher retention centers around early-career teachers, with far less addressing mid-career teacher attrition. This research study explores the positive and negative experiences of five mid-career teachers, Toni, Sean, Susan, Debbie, and Jacqueline, explicitly focusing on the experiences that influenced their…

There is strong evidence that professional learning in schools can positively impact learner experience and outcomes. This conceptual paper draws on key literature focused on understandings of high-quality professional learning and what makes an excellent environment in which to learn. This literature informed and spoke to the sense-making of our…

This paper examines Black Algebra I educators' perceptions of their experiences in a professional learning community, "Algebra I Academy," designed specifically to equip Black Algebra I educators with liberatory pedagogical practices for their instruction with Black students taking Algebra I. Utilizing survey and focus group data from…

Teacher development is an area that is examined primarily by administration when discussing teacher retention and school improvement plans. Traditionally, teacher development has occurred through professional development opportunities such as workshops. However, in more recent years there has been a focus on developing teachers through…

The problem was that professional learning communities (PLCs) have not focused on topics relevant to teachers of students with developmental disabilities, limiting these teachers' professional development (PD) and their students' educational opportunities. The purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore whether fifth grade…