Material, Human, and Social Capital in the Professional Learning Community and Correlations With Teacher/School Characteristics

Authors

  • Yamina Bouchamma Laval University
  • Marc Basque Université de Moncton
  • Daniel April UNESCO

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v67i4.70264

Abstract

This study examines the practices and perceptions of Canadian teachers (N = 172) from the provinces of Québec and New Brunswick with respect to the professional learning community (PLC) in light of several sociodemographic and socioprofessional characteristics of the teachers and those of their school. Factor analyses and correlation tests were thus conducted to determine factor validity and the presence of between-factor connections. The conceptual framework was composed of three groups of predictive factors, namely, material and school-based (material capital), human (human capital), and social (social capital) conditions. This study will enrich the knowledge base on PLCs by describing certain positive and negative correlations and will also contribute to school practices and decisions to prepare and improve the development of Professional learning communities (PLCs) and guide them toward total sustainment.

Keywords: Professional learning communities, School environment, Teacher collaboration, PLC teacher beliefs/perceptions, PLC teacher practices

Cette étude porte sur les pratiques et les perceptions d’enseignants canadiens (N = 172) provenant du Québec et du Nouveau-Brunswick à l'égard de la communauté d'apprentissage professionnelle (CAP) et ce, en lien avec plusieurs de leurs caractéristiques sociodémographiques et socioprofessionnelles et de celles relatives à leur école. Des analyses factorielles et des tests de corrélation ont été effectués pour examiner la validité factorielle et les liens entre les facteurs. Le cadre conceptuel est composé de trois groupes de facteurs, à savoir les conditions matérielles et institutionnelles (capital matériel), humaines (capital humain) et sociales (capital social). Cette étude enrichit la base de connaissances sur les CAP en décrivant certaines corrélations positives et négatives et contribue également aux pratiques et aux décisions prises dans les écoles afin de préparer et d’améliorer le développement des CAP, et ce, pour amener celles-ci vers la maturité.

Mots clés: Communautés d'apprentissage professionnelles (CAP); environnement scolaire; collaboration des enseignants; croyances et perceptions des enseignants; pratiques des enseignants en CAP.

Author Biographies

Yamina Bouchamma, Laval University

Yamina Bouchamma, PhD is Full Professor at the Department of Foundations and Practices in Education at Université Laval. Her academic activities, research interests, and publications notably regard the competence of school leaders, teacher supervision, professional learning/practice communities and accountability, and the inclusion of immigrant-origin youth.

Marc Basque, Université de Moncton

Marc Basque, PhD is Associate Professor at the Sector of Education and Kinesiology at Université de Moncton at Edmundston. His professional background includes more than 10 years of experience as principal in elementary schools. His research interests include effective schools and professional learning communities.

Daniel April, UNESCO

Daniel April, PhD in Education Administration and Policies, is Researcher for the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report. His research interests include pedagogical supervision, professional learning communities, diversity management, inclusive education, and results-based management approach.

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Published

2021-12-02

How to Cite

Bouchamma, Y., Basque, M., & April, D. (2021). Material, Human, and Social Capital in the Professional Learning Community and Correlations With Teacher/School Characteristics. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 67(4), 442–462. https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v67i4.70264

Issue

Vol. 67 No. 4 (2021): Winter

Section

ARTICLES

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