Collaboration Under Fragmented Conditions: Implementing Professional Learning Communities in Adult and Continuing Education
Professional learning communities (PLCs) are considered a promising approach to collaborative professional development "near the job", yet they have received little empirical attention in adult and continuing education (AE/CE). In AE/CE contexts, regular opportunities for collegial exchange are often limited due to high proportions of part-time employment and fragmented employment structures, suggesting particular potential for structured collaborative formats such as PLCs to support professional learning. The present study examines the implementation of PLCs in AE/CE. Using an exploratory mixed-methods design, qualitative group interviews and quantitative survey data from four newly established PLCs (N = 13) were analysed. Participation was perceived as professionally relevant across formats, particularly due to the combination of collaborative task work and structured reflection on work-related demands. Collaboration was primarily shaped by PLC design features and organisational conditions, with participation during regular working hours and organisational support emerging as central. Perceived effects on personal resources were moderate, indicating the importance of longer implementation periods. The findings provide initial empirical evidence suggesting that PLCs represent an adaptable format for professional learning in AE/CE contexts.
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weitere Infos
Herbrechter, Dörthe; Burger, Amina; Leibold, Tabea & Koller, Julia (2026). Collaboration Under Fragmented Conditions: Implementing Professional Learning Communities in Adult and Continuing Education. In: Internationales Jahrbuch der Erwachsenenbildung 2026. Liberal Democracies under Pressure and Consequences for Adult Education, S. 91-114. Bielefeld: wbv Publikation. https://doi.org/10.3278/I80123W006
Bibliografische Angaben
- Reihe: Internationales Jahrbuch der Erwachsenenbildung
- Band: 49
- Auflage: 1
- Erscheinungsdatum: 28.08.2026
- Umfang: 24 Seiten
- Artikelnr: I80123W006
- ISBN E-Paper: 9783763980123
- DOI (E-Paper-Teilbeitrag): 10.3278/I80123W006
- Imprint: wbv Publikation
- Sprache: Englisch
- Lizenzhinweis:
- Autor(en): Dörthe Herbrechter, Amina Burger, Tabea Leibold, Julia Koller