Online Professional Learning Communities in Pre-School Education: Toward a New Culture? Reflections on COVID-19

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Elements of PDS: Shared Resources, Professional Learning Communities, and Culturally Relevant Computer Science Education

Abstract

Following a growing need for research on distance approaches for teacher’s professional learning, this is a case study describing the application of two online Professional Learning Communities of 20 teachers from early childhood education and care (ECEC). The study took place in Greece during the school year 2020-2021 in the context of supporting the Emotional Learning Culture as the framework for ECEC. Primary data include transcribed videos of PLC meetings, field notes and reflections, and transcribed focus group interviews. Our analysis revealed characteristics of online PLCs related to the nature of the participants’ reflections, the participant’s roles, the use of online tools for communication, and the role of the PLC coordinator. Our findings support productive sociotechnical online opportunities for PLC.

Authors

• Alexia-Evgenia Koumarianou, European University Cyprus

• Loucas T. Louca, European University Cyprus