The Knowledge Loom: The Practices

Quick Start

Who should use the Guidebook?

K-12 education leaders and professional development facilitators seeking 
strategies and resources to develop school improvement through 
collaborative activities can use this Guidebook to support and augment their 
planning and training initiatives. This includes district and school professional 
development and curriculum coordinators, administrators, school 
improvement team leaders, department heads, and technical assistance 
organizations that facilitate professional development.


How can the Guidebook be used?

The Guidebook is a companion to The Knowledge Loom: What Works in 
Teaching & Learning Web site (http://knowledgeloom.org). It is a tool to help 
education leaders facilitate professional development through collaborative 
activities that use Knowledge Loom content to guide improved teaching and 
learning. Although individuals can use the activities for learning and 
reflection, the greatest power lies in completing them in collegial study groups 
in order to influence whole-school change.


How is the Guidebook organized?

After the brief introductory sections, the activities are divided into modular 
steps. Although the steps can be completed in any order, completing Step 1 
first is essential. After completing Step 1, you might choose to work linearly 
through all the steps for a systematic, multi-encounter approach to 
professional development, or you might choose only to complete selected 
steps. Experienced professional developers will find that many of the activities 
can be modified and integrated into their already-existing workshops and 
planned group interactions.


How are the modular steps organized?

Each step consists of:
* A table of contents
* An overview of the activities and the concepts presented
* A Loom Locations section (which locates The Knowledge Loom content needed
  to complete the activities)
* Step-by-step directions for completing each activity
* Facilitator notes, and
* Activity organizers where participants can document decisions.


Do I need to be online to complete the activities?

Although The Knowledge Loom is an online resource, in most cases the 
content for each activity can be downloaded, copied, and distributed for 
use off-line. Activities that require using the site's online tools can be 
completed individually as a follow-up to the off-line group work.


How do I get started?

Read the three brief introductory sections About The Knowledge 
Loom, The Knowledge Loom and Professional Development, and Using 
The Knowledge Loom Guidebook. Consider taking the online tour of 
The Knowledge Loom (http://knowledgeloom.org) to acquaint 
yourself with how the site's content is organized. Then assemble 
a cohort of colleagues to complete Step 1: Select a Theme. Once 
you have identified a focus theme for your school's improvement 
efforts, either complete the rest of the steps in order, or 
select only those that best serve your needs. Completing all the 
steps supports a long-term planning process for improved teaching 
and learning.