Fostering Excellence Together:

Harnessing the Power of

Collaborative Expertise in the NLC
ROSALIE E. BONGON
Bureau of Learning Delivery

Capacity Building of Chief Trainers on the Implementation of the National Learning Camp
Cebu City l July 11 – 14, 2023
Presentation Outline

Priming Activity

Case Study
Collaborative Expertise

Demonstration of Collaborative Expertise

Wrap Up
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Cebu, there were Grade 7 teachers, Mr. De La
Cruz and Ms. Liwayway. Both were passionate about teaching and dedicated to their
students’ success. However, they had very different approaches to their professional
development.

Mr. De La Cruz, a seasoned teacher with over 15 years of experience, preferred to work in
isolation. He believed that he had already mastered his teaching skills and didn’t see the
need for collaboration or seeking support from instructional leaders. He relied on his past
successes and what he learned early in his career, rarely seeking new strategies or
feedback.

On the other hand, Ms. Liwayway, a relatively new teacher with just three years of
experience, recognized the value of collaborative expertise. She actively sought
opportunities to collaborate with her colleagues, attended professional development
workshops, and engaged in learning action cells organized by the school. She believed that
continuous learning and sharing ideas with fellow teachers and instructional leaders were
crucial for her professional growth.
As time went by, the impact of their differing approaches became apparent. Mr. De
La Cruz’s classroom remained stagnant, and although his teaching was adequate,
he struggled to adapt to the changing needs of his students. He felt isolated, lacking
fresh perspectives and innovative teaching strategies. Over time, his passion for
teaching waned, and his students’ engagement and learning outcomes gradually
declined.

Meanwhile, Ms. Liwayway thrived in her collaborative approach. She participated

actively in learning action cells, where teachers came together to share best
practices, discuss challenges, and seek support form instructional leaders. Through
these interactions, she gained valuable insights, discovered new teaching
techniques, and received feedback from experienced colleagues and instructional
leaders. This collaborative expertise not only rejuvenated her passion for teaching
but also enhanced her pedagogical skills and classroom management techniques.
Ms. Liwayway’s students benefited greatly from her participation in collaborative expertise.
Her classroom became a hub of active learning, with students eagerly participating and
excelling academically.

The stark contrasts between Mr. De La Cruz’s and Ms. Liwayway’s teaching practice didn’t
go unnoticed by the school’s instructional leaders. Recognizing the importance of
collaborative expertise, they organized more opportunities for teachers to engage in
learning action cells, share their experiences, and learn from one another. They also
provided ongoing support, mentoring, and professional development opportunities to
facilitate teacher growth.

Over time, Mr. De La Cruz realized the value of collaborative expertise and sought support
from instructional leaders. With their guidance, he began participating in learning action
cells and collaborating with his colleagues. This transformative experience revitalized his
teaching practice, reignited his passion, and significantly improved student outcomes.
1. Reflecting on the case, what key differences did you
notice in the approaches of Mr. De La Cruz and Ms.
Liwayway to collaborative expertise? How did it
impact their teaching effectiveness and student
outcomes?
2. In your experience, how has participating in
collaborative expertise, such as learning action cells or
professional learning communities, influenced your own
teaching practice/instructional leadership practices? Can
you share specific examples on how collaboration has
benefited you, your teachers, and the students in your
school?
3. What are some potential challenges or barriers that
teachers may face when trying to engage in
collaborative expertise? How can instructional leaders
support and address these challenges to promote a
culture of collaboration within a school or district?
4. How can instructional leaders ensure that the
collaborative expertise among teachers translates into
meaningful instructional improvements and student
learning outcomes?
“The greatest influence on student learning is
having expert, inspired, and passionate
teachers and school leaders working together to
maximize the effect of their teaching on all
students in their care.” - Hattie, J. 2015
 NLC Policy

“Teaching must be rigorous and relevant.”

DepEd Order No. 35, s. 2016
“Learning Action Cell is a group of teachers
who engage in collaborative learning
sessions to solve shared challenges
encountered in the school facilitated by the
school head or a designated LAC leader.”
Composition of a Learning Action Cell
“Collaborative Expertise is described as
communities within and across schools that
work collaboratively to diagnose what
teachers need to do, plan programs and
teaching intervention and evaluate the
success of the interventions…” – Hattie, J.
Theoretical Framework of the Learning Action Cell

Community of practice with collaborative planning,

problem-solving, and action implementation

Improved teacher's content knowledge, pedagogical

skills, assessment strategies, and professional ethics

Student learning and holistic development

NLC Policy Guidelines

“The LAC sessions shall focus on planning and

reviewing teaching, sharing effective teaching
approaches and strategies, preparing teaching
materials, and discussing other teaching-related
concerns.”
“How collaborative time is used, how skillful
educators are in using that time, and the support
that school and system leaders provide to lead
and sustain collaborative learning are critical to
its success.” – Hattie, J. 2015
Limitation/Prohibitions

The holding of LAC sessions for purposes other than

those provided herein is prohibited. Prohibited purposes
may include but shall not be limited to the following:
sale of goods and other merchandise; lending
transactions; political and religious meetings and other
purposes which are not included in this policy.” – DO 25,
s. 2016.
Collaborative Expertise and LAC
Teacher Timetable
for Collaborative Expertise on Mondays
 Start Activity Time Notes on Focus
Time Allocated
(Minutes)
8:00 AM Sign In, School 20 Sign and receive materials,
Announcements, Program address any initial issues
Orientation
8:20 AM Move with subject/grade 5 Move to a room allocated
teams to a room for teachers of the same
subject and the same
grade level
8:25 AM Personal reading of 45 The focus is on the teacher
materials personally understanding
what is expected and
provided
9:10 Break 5
 Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
9:15 AM Collaborative discussion 45 The focus is on lesson
and sharing of ideas on plans, strategies/approach,
materials presented content, and teacher notes
as well as students’
worksheets
10:00 AM Recess 15

10:15 AM Personal reading and initial 45 Teachers think of lesson

planning goals, what they will do,
and how they will do it
11:00 AM Break 5
 Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
11:05 AM Collaborative discussion 45 Teachers share their
and sharing on initial perspectives and discuss
planning any issues and seek
clarification
11:50 AM Lunch 70

1:00 PM Personal lesson preparation 45 With the gathered

information, teachers
finalize their approach and
strategies
1:45 PM Break 5
 Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
1:50 PM Collaborative discussion 60 The final approach and
and sharing strategies shared with
peers
2:50 PM Insights and Closure 10 Teachers wrap up the
discussion

3:00 PM End of Day

Teacher Timetable
for Collaborative Expertise on Fridays
 Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
8:00 AM Arrival 20 Sign in, gather any notes
Gather the week’s program, and any data or
materials, and data information collected
during the week
8:20 AM Move with each 5
subject/grade team to
meeting rooms
8:25 AM Personal organization of 45 The focus is on each
ideas and feedback about teacher reflecting on their
lessons: content, point of view about the
components, learnings lesson content and how the
within a grade and a subject content was presented
9:10 AM Break 5
Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
9:15 AM Collaborative discussion and 45 Focus on sharing teacher
sharing about lessons: content, observations and hearing
components, learnings, key from peers in the same grade
observations noted within a and subject areas
grade and a subject
10:00 AM Recess 15
10:15 AM Personal organization of ideas 45 The focus is on each teacher
and feedback about student reflecting on how students
performance: abilities, process performed in class
used, interesting occurrences,
teacher learnings within a
grade and a subject
11:00 AM Break 5
 Start Activity Time Notes on Focus
Time Allocated
(Minutes)
11:05 AM Collaborative discussion and 45 The focus is on sharing teacher
sharing about student perspectives on how students
performance: abilities, processes performed in class, how they
used, interesting occurrences, reacted to the lesson, and how the
teacher learnings. Key content was presented with peers
observations noted within a grade from the same grade and subject
and a subject
11:50 AM Lunch 70
1:00 PM Collaborative discussion and 45 The focus is on sharing and
sharing among teachers within a hearing teacher perspectives on
grade and a subject how students performed in class
and how they reacted to the
lesson, and how the content was
presented
1:45 PM Break 5
 Start Time Activity Time Notes on Focus
Allocated
(Minutes)
1:50 PM Collaborative discussion 60 Focus on sharing and
and sharing with teacher hearing perspectives
groups across different grades and
1. Key global observations subjects
2. Celebrate the week’s
work
2:50 PM Insights and Closure 10 Teachers wrap up the
discussion

3:00 PM End of Day

Sample Demonstration of
Collaborative Expertise
 Demonstration of Collaborative Expertise
1. Form a group of ten (10) members representing the same learning area and grade
level.
2. Assign a specific role to each member to complete the LAC composition.
3. Present a 10-minute role play demonstrating the suggested Collaborative Expertise
structure and timetable using the lessons that were presented this morning in your
breakout rooms.

Grade 7 Enhancement Camp Lesson Collaborative Expertise on a Monday

Grade 8 Intervention Camp Lesson Collaborative Expertise on a Monday
Grade 9 Consolidation Camp Lesson Collaborative Expertise on a Friday
Grade 10 Intervention Camp Lesson Collaborative Expertise on a Friday

4. Non-participants in the role play should observe the presentation and provide their
feedback afterward.
 Recipe for a Successful Collaborative Expertise

Ingredients:

❑ 3 cups of expertise (finely honed and well-seasoned)

❑ 1 cup of passion (extra zest for flavor)
❑ 2 tablespoons of humor (to sprinkle laughter)
❑ 1 teaspoon of patience (for tenderizing tough situations)
❑ 1 pinch of open-mindedness (to enhance the flavor of new ideas)
❑ 1 dash of empathy (to create compassionate blend)
❑ 1 splash of flexibility (for adapting to unexpected changes)
❑ 2 heaping tablespoons of communication (to mix thoughts effectively)
 Recipe for a Successful Collaborative Expertise
Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine expertise, passion, humor. Stir gently until a rich and
engaging mixture forms.

2. Add patience, open-mindedness, and empathy. Mix well to ensure a smooth and
understanding texture.

3. Slowly fold in flexibility and communication. Blend until all ideas are thoroughly
incorporated.

4. Gradually sprinkle trust and respect into the mixture, ensuring they permeate evenly
throughout

5. Allow the collaborative expertise to marinate in a supportive environment for a sufficient

amount of time.

6. Serve with a side of active listening and constructive feedback for a fulfilling experience.
 Recipe for a Successful
Collaborative Expertise

Adjust measurements to taste and adapt to the

specific needs of your collaboration.
Enjoy the recipe and may your collaborative
endeavors be fruitful!