Unlocking Group Potential to Improve Schools

Robert John Garmston - Co-Developer, Cognitive Coaching and Adaptive Schools
Valerie von Frank
Unlocking Group Potential to Improve Schools
April 2012 | 280 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452283838
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412998895
Available from January 0001

Description

How great groups make great schools

Training leaders how to conduct effective meetings is important, but it's not enough to ensure that the professional development process is valuable. This field book shows educators how to develop group culture, enhance facilitators' skills, and optimize the group's most precious resource—its members. The authors describe how to form working committees, task forces, grade-level, and department teams, and faculties that are more effective and better equipped to resolve complex issues around student learning. Specific topics include

  • Understanding eight principles that underlie effective groups
  • Learning the five standards for effective meetings
  • Setting clear goals and roles
  • Practicing new ways of talking for improved collaboration
  • Examining perceptions and mental models
  • Enhancing energy sources
  • Working with conflict
  • Developing basic facilitation skills

This practical guide's special features include the newly updated seven norms of collaboration, a sample team assessment survey, instruments for assessing meeting effectiveness, an extensive bibliography, and practical examples embedded throughout the text. Practitioners will find a valuable road map for leading effective, student-focused school improvement efforts.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

I. Getting Work Done

  • 1. Building Effective Groups
  • 2. Understanding Group Roles
  • 3. Examining Decision Making
  • 4. Creating Focused Agendas

II. Developing Collaborative Communities

  • 5. Forming Smarter Groups
  • 6. Learning the Way Groups Talk
  • 7. Challenging Mental Models
  • 8. Working With Conflict

III. Developing a Sense of Community

  • 9. Becoming a Self-Directed Group
  • 10. Enhancing Energy Sources

IV. Developing Facilitation Skills

  • 11. Developing Facilitation Skills
  • 12. Learning the Language of Facilitation
  • 13. Intervening Successfully
  • 14. Setting up the Room

Conclusion

Conclusion

Appendix A: Large Group Room Configurations

Appendix A: Large Group Room Configurations

Appendix B: Sample Inventory

Appendix B: Sample Inventory

Appendix C: Seven Norms of Collaboration: A Supporting Toolkit

Appendix C: Seven Norms of Collaboration: A Supporting Toolkit

Index

Index

Description

How great groups make great schools

Training leaders how to conduct effective meetings is important, but it's not enough to ensure that the professional development process is valuable. This field book shows educators how to develop group culture, enhance facilitators' skills, and optimize the group's most precious resource—its members. The authors describe how to form working committees, task forces, grade-level, and department teams, and faculties that are more effective and better equipped to resolve complex issues around student learning. Specific topics include

  • Understanding eight principles that underlie effective groups
  • Learning the five standards for effective meetings
  • Setting clear goals and roles
  • Practicing new ways of talking for improved collaboration
  • Examining perceptions and mental models
  • Enhancing energy sources
  • Working with conflict
  • Developing basic facilitation skills

This practical guide's special features include the newly updated seven norms of collaboration, a sample team assessment survey, instruments for assessing meeting effectiveness, an extensive bibliography, and practical examples embedded throughout the text. Practitioners will find a valuable road map for leading effective, student-focused school improvement efforts.

Contents

Foreword

Foreword

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

I. Getting Work Done

  • 1. Building Effective Groups
  • 2. Understanding Group Roles
  • 3. Examining Decision Making
  • 4. Creating Focused Agendas

II. Developing Collaborative Communities

  • 5. Forming Smarter Groups
  • 6. Learning the Way Groups Talk
  • 7. Challenging Mental Models
  • 8. Working With Conflict

III. Developing a Sense of Community

  • 9. Becoming a Self-Directed Group
  • 10. Enhancing Energy Sources

IV. Developing Facilitation Skills

  • 11. Developing Facilitation Skills
  • 12. Learning the Language of Facilitation
  • 13. Intervening Successfully
  • 14. Setting up the Room

Conclusion

Conclusion

Appendix A: Large Group Room Configurations

Appendix A: Large Group Room Configurations

Appendix B: Sample Inventory

Appendix B: Sample Inventory

Appendix C: Seven Norms of Collaboration: A Supporting Toolkit

Appendix C: Seven Norms of Collaboration: A Supporting Toolkit

Index

Index

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Unlocking Group Potential to Improve Schools

Robert John Garmston , Valerie von Frank
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April 2012 | 280 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/01/2025 9781412998895 $42.95
Lifetime 01/01/2025 9781452283838 $39.00

How great groups make great schools

Training leaders how to conduct effective meetings is important, but it's not enough to ensure that the professional development process is valuable. This field book shows educators how to develop group culture, enhance facilitators' skills, and optimize the group's most precious resource—its members. The authors describe how to form working committees, task forces, grade-level, and department teams, and faculties that are more effective and better equipped to resolve complex issues around student learning. Specific topics include

  • Understanding eight principles that underlie effective groups
  • Learning the five standards for effective meetings
  • Setting clear goals and roles
  • Practicing new ways of talking for improved collaboration
  • Examining perceptions and mental models
  • Enhancing energy sources
  • Working with conflict
  • Developing basic facilitation skills

This practical guide's special features include the newly updated seven norms of collaboration, a sample team assessment survey, instruments for assessing meeting effectiveness, an extensive bibliography, and practical examples embedded throughout the text. Practitioners will find a valuable road map for leading effective, student-focused school improvement efforts.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • I. Getting Work Done
  • 1. Building Effective Groups
  • 2. Understanding Group Roles
  • 3. Examining Decision Making
  • 4. Creating Focused Agendas
  • II. Developing Collaborative Communities
  • 5. Forming Smarter Groups
  • 6. Learning the Way Groups Talk
  • 7. Challenging Mental Models
  • 8. Working With Conflict
  • III. Developing a Sense of Community
  • 9. Becoming a Self-Directed Group
  • 10. Enhancing Energy Sources
  • IV. Developing Facilitation Skills
  • 11. Developing Facilitation Skills
  • 12. Learning the Language of Facilitation
  • 13. Intervening Successfully
  • 14. Setting up the Room
  • Conclusion
  • Appendix A: Large Group Room Configurations
  • Appendix B: Sample Inventory
  • Appendix C: Seven Norms of Collaboration: A Supporting Toolkit
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Dr. Garmston’s work provides potent tools that leaders in our local district use every day to propel student achievement forward. This book is theoretically sound and reality-based regarding the needs of schools and their leaders. This kind of work makes systems adaptive and ready to move students, parents, and leaders into the next era of learning and achievement."
Roberto Antonio Martinez, Superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District, Local District 5
"This is an easy to read book that includes research-supported strategies and tips to help educators use precious collaborative time to their best advantage."
Dr. Kathy Grover, Assistant Superintendent, Clever R-V Public Schools, MO
"An informative read for school administrators. I recommend this book for anyone who organizes or facilitates a group of people in decision making."
Pamela Maxwell, Principal, Kennedy Elementary, Peace River, AB
"The authors provide teachers and leaders with the tools they need to make teacher group work effective and productive."
Dr. Scott Hollinger, Executive Coach, Communities Foundation of Texas/Texas High School Project, Dallas, TX
"The authors synthesize all the best research as well as extensive experience into a practical, easily understood and comprehensive guide for working effectively with groups. This book helps administrators to achieve maximum group participation and cohesion while maintaining the integrity of all involved."
Dr. Roberta E. Glaser, (Ret.) Assistant Superintendent, St. Johns Public Schools, MI

Recommendations