In his book Instructional coaching: A partnership approach to improving instruction, Jim Knight confirmed what school teachers have undoubtedly discovered on their own about professional development. When teachers have no voice or stake in the type of professional learning they receive, the effectiveness of the professional learning will be limited. Knight's book outlines his vision of "instructional coaching" as a remedy to the traditional model of professional development. Knight's vision suggests that professional learning is much more effective when it is targeted to each teacher's needs, and that teachers should have a voice in the type of professional learning they receive. This is most definitely not the case in the type of professional learning most of my colleagues and I have received over the course of my teaching career.
In this course I was able to put some of Knight's ideas into practice. The coaching sessions required that teachers complete a survey on their perceived technology needs and self-efficacy related to classroom technology integration. The results of the survey allowed me to create a program that was targeted. The coaching sessions also point to the benefits of what Knight refers to as the "partnership philosophy" in instructional coaching. Here, coach and pupil work together as equals toward a common goal.
As a technology coach I will be required to deliver professional learning and coaching to my colleagues on all aspects of technology integration. The one-hour technology workshop was a practical application of what will likely become a future job requirement for me.
References
Knight, Jim. (2007). Instructional coaching: A partnership approach to improving instruction.
Corwin Press: Thousand Oaks.
In this course I was able to put some of Knight's ideas into practice. The coaching sessions required that teachers complete a survey on their perceived technology needs and self-efficacy related to classroom technology integration. The results of the survey allowed me to create a program that was targeted. The coaching sessions also point to the benefits of what Knight refers to as the "partnership philosophy" in instructional coaching. Here, coach and pupil work together as equals toward a common goal.
As a technology coach I will be required to deliver professional learning and coaching to my colleagues on all aspects of technology integration. The one-hour technology workshop was a practical application of what will likely become a future job requirement for me.
References
Knight, Jim. (2007). Instructional coaching: A partnership approach to improving instruction.
Corwin Press: Thousand Oaks.