The Development and Evaluation of a Self-Study Process for Critical Friends Groups

Open Access
- Author:
- Ballock, Ellen E.
- Graduate Program:
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 12, 2007
- Committee Members:
- James F Nolan Jr., Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Karen Treat Keifer Boyd, Committee Member
Bernard Joel Badiali, Committee Member
Iris M Striedieck, Committee Member - Keywords:
- professional learning community
critical friends group
group development
professional development
self-study
goal-setting process - Abstract:
- This study explores the development and evaluation of a reflective tool and process to support critical friends groups (CFGs) in a self-study. The developmental framework serves as a reflective tool for group analysis in seven different elements: Relationships, Roles and Responsibilities, Commitment, Meeting Focus, Group Learning Agenda, Level of Reflection, and Impact on Teaching and Learning. The self-study process is intended to help groups analyze their collaborative work, identify goals and concrete action plans for improvement, and develop a plan for monitoring their growth. This study includes two phases. The first phase involves consultation with a panel of experts to validate and revise the developmental framework. The second phase employs a multiple case study approach to evaluate the developmental framework and self-study process as actually used by three CFGs. Analysis of data from observations, document analysis, interviews, and questionnaires provided a basis for which to further revise both the developmental framework and the self-study process. The data also support the conclusion that the developmental framework and self-study process both have merit as tools for helping CFGs to reflect on their work and set a course for improvement.