When considering the BIGGER picture of education, COLLABORATION is key for successful transformative teaching and learning.
Collaboration & Trust
A few ways that an Instructional Technology Coach can build trust within their community is by listening to understand, setting goals collectively, and assisting directly with the implementation of development plans.
Great leadership doesn't force ideas upon anyone. They work together!
Kerry Patterson & Joseph Grenny have an amazing book entitled Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High about how to effectively prepare, communicate, and inspire through powerful dialogue strategies.
HERE are additional ways I promote community and understanding in the workplace.
Collaboration & Authenticity
Engagement and participation are crucial for student learning success. The same goes for staff and professional development! This can be accomplished through the creation of authentic learning environments.
Just like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the backbone of any learning environment must first include safety. Only then can authentic learning be forged through deeper community and passionate inquiry.
HERE you can learn more about my deeper explanation of the process and impact that nurturing authentic learning environments and experiences can have within schools.
Collaboration & Efficacy
Within the promotion and use of technology in the classroom, there are a few ways to evaluate resources by checking for efficacy.
A formative style evaluation could include gathering anecdotal evidence. This might look like a quick raise of hands during a meeting, a digital feedback form, or by simply speaking with teachers directly. Formative data would be most effective for gathering quick information such as discovering who utilizes an app or enjoys a website subscription.
A summative style evaluation can go deeper through the gathering of data analysis. This could look more like a week-long Action Research plan or project in which a piece of technology used in the classroom is further explored.
HERE is additional information about how I developed an Action Research plan surrounding digital learning.
Collaboration & Support
In the grand scheme of things, an Instructional Technology Coach might not seem like an essential part of a school building or district. This position, however, is integral and allows for success through long-term student learning growth due to direct support of teacher technology integration.
Coaching can:
- Improve overall school culture
- Provide more personalized learning support
- Help teachers incorporate higher-level thinking skills
- Increase student participation
- And so much more!
There are rubrics that Instructional Technology Coaches can integrate directly into school culture. These can be personalized to meet the needs of each unique classroom learning environment and the teaching style of each educator.
One rubric HERE focuses on impactful technology use.
Another technology rubric HERE utilizes Danielson's framework for teaching.
Then this rubric HERE relates to technology concepts in the classroom.
Each of these examples can be modified, adapted, and molded to fit the needs of each instructor! If a school already has a rubric or set of technology criteria in place, then these will be the foundation for specific coaching review and support.
For further research about the benefits of coaching, these articles can help:
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