Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41473521›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in psychology2025

Mapping the landscape of professional learning communities for digitalization and STEM: a scoping review of evidence on composition and efficacy.

Stefanie Hartmann, Robin Bardakcioglu, Steffen Schaal

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Stefanie HartmannInstitute for Biology, University of Education Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Robin BardakciogluAllvest GmbH, A Subsidiary of Allianz SE, Munich, Germany.
Steffen SchaalInstitute for Biology, University of Education Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The integration of advanced digital applications within the educational sector remains a significant challenge. It has been determined that extracurricular educational settings possess a considerable capacity to enhance and differentiate digital instruction. However, educators frequently require assistance to transition from the use of existing digital resources to the creation of their own, personalized, customized learning materials. Professional learning communities (PLCs) have been identified as a promising framework in which teachers can collaborate to develop innovative and practical concepts. While the potential of PLCs is widely recognized, research on this topic is fragmented. A multitude of definitions and operationalizations have been proposed regarding the structure and functioning of PLCs. This complicates a systematic investigation of their effectiveness and makes it difficult to distinguish empirically based findings from purely anecdotal reports. Consequently, a definitive evidence base for the design of effective PLCs remains elusive. Methods: The present study posits that the afore mentioned gap is addressed by means of a scoping review. Utilizing the PRISMA-ScR framework, a systematic analysis of German and English-language literature is conducted with the objective of mapping and synthesizing research on the composition, collaboration, and effectiveness of PLCs in the STEM field or in relation to digitalization. Results: The results of the study provide a structured overview of the key characteristics, structure, and success factors of PLCs. The present article elucidates the findings that emerged from a comparative and harmonising analysis of diverging PLCs. Discussion: The ensuing discussion pertains to the configuration, efficacious design, and execution of professional learning communities, in conjunction with their operational methodologies and investigative endeavours. This synthesis provides a foundation for the conceptualisation of future cooperative initiatives aimed at the development of STEM- or digital educational resources.

Indexed as

digitalizationscoping reviewSTEM-professional learning communityteachers’ collaborationteaching development

Identifiers

PMID41473521
PMCPMC12745646

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.