Source: Image of mentor, Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1KE8BBg Image of laptop, Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1SHTSI4 Image of math coach, Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1A8HR8N
Hi. My name is Ashley, and today's lesson is titled Instructional Coaching and Technology Integration. In today's lesson, we will define instructional coaching and technology integration. We'll look at the benefits of having coaches to support teachers when integrating technology. We'll also look at the areas that should be a main focus during technology integration. Lastly, we'll look at the role of the coach during the stages of integrating technology.
What is instructional coaching and technology integration? Integrating technology is a significant part of professional development. Most often, we connect coaching with helping teachers improve their teaching practices. However, research also supports the use of an instructional coach to enhance technology integration. In today's lesson, we'll understand how the coach supports teachers during this process.
What are the benefits of having instructional coaches support technology integration? With the help of the coach, teachers are more eager to integrate technology into their lessons. The coach models how integration should occur, observes the teacher, and provides feedback that helps the teacher to be more effective when integrating technology. Another benefit is that problem solving with the coach is more effective. It also expands the teacher's capacity to solve problems on their own to create student-centered activities involving technology.
What areas should be focused on during technology integration? According to Capshaw, There are four main areas that should be focused on. Mechanics-- this is where the coach troubleshoots technology issues and trains teachers to do the same. Systems-- the coach builds systems and provides support to teachers on integrating technology. Curriculum-- the coach assists teachers on connecting curriculum with technology and creating student-centered activities. And lastly, culture-- the coach supports risk taking and problem solving among colleagues, so that a community of collaboration involving student-centered technology is created.
What is the role of the coach? According to Capshaw, there's four stages when supporting teachers during the process of integrating technology. Stage one is the initial setup. In this stage, the coach will focus on mechanics and systems. So that teachers are prepared to integrate technology. The coach will also ensure that technology resources are available to teachers.
Stage two, teacher preparation. Systems and curriculum are a main focus of this stage. The coach helps the teacher to take a student-centered approach when creating lessons. The coach focuses on systems that are needed to create a culture for successful integration.
Stage three, community of practice. Culture and curriculum are the main focus of this stage in order to successfully integrate technology. Coaches work with teachers one-on-one or in small groups to assist teachers in aligning lessons and allow opportunities for the teacher to grow independent while collaborating with others in a technology-rich environment. Teachers also collaborate to plan student-centered activities that are necessary to the culture and curriculum.
The last stage is curriculum reform. The main focus is culture and curriculum, which is needed for successful integration. Teachers begin to work in small groups, and the coach becomes more of a temporary support-- not only for teachers, but for students, parents, and administrators. The coach assists with reforming curriculum and building culturally sound activities.
Now let's take a look at the four stages again and apply them and see what it looks like an actual school setting. Mr. Collins is a math coach at Oren Dale Middle School. He wants to ensure that teachers understand how to integrate technology into their math lessons. Each teacher has a Promethean board in the classroom, and Mr. Collins wants to ensure that each teacher is using it for instruction.
Mr. Collins provides workshops and trainings to educate teachers on how the Promethean board works and how to troubleshoot tech issues when they occur. He makes sure that the teachers have all the resources they need to make it possible. In stage two, Mr. Collins prepares the teacher for creating student-centered, technology-rich lessons. The focus is not just curriculum, but systems as well. So Mr. Collins will help with setting up programs and managing those programs that will be used in the classroom.
In stage three, Mr. Collins continues to work with teachers to align lessons with technology, whether it be one-on-one or in small groups. At this point, teachers are feeling a little more comfortable with technology and can begin to work independently and collaborate with others and exchange ideas. In stage four, Mr. Collins is more of a temporary support to teachers. Successful integration has already taken place, and Mr. Collins comes to the classroom to support the teacher on an as-needed basis, as well as help students with technology.
While Mrs. Walter is doing a lesson integrating technology, Mr. Collins is walking around assisting students. Mr. Collins is also a support for parents and administrators.
Let's recap what we have discussed in today's lesson. Instructional coaching is a big part of professional development, and it allows the coach to be available as teachers integrate technology. The benefits of having an instructional coach is that the teacher is more eager to use technology, and the coach is available to model and provide feedback. We identified the areas that the coach focuses on during technology integration, which are mechanics, systems, curriculum, and culture. Lastly, we looked at the four stages of the role of the coach during the integration process.
As we bring this lesson to a close, review the elements and process of coaching as it is related to integrating technology. For more information on how to apply what you learned in this video, please view the Additional Resources section that accompanies this video presentation. The Additional Resources section includes hyperlinks useful for applications of the course material, including a brief description of each resource.
Overview
(00:00 - 00:11) Introduction
(00:12 - 00:37) What Will You Learn Today?
(00:38 - 01:09) What is Instructional Coaching and Technology Integration?
(01:10 - 01:45) What are the Benefits of Having Instructional Coaches Support Technology Integration?
(01:46 - 02:37) What Areas Should be Focused on During Technology Integration?
(02:38 - 06:07) What is the Role of the Coach?
(06:08 - 06:37) What Did You Learn Today?
(06:53 - 07:16) Reflection
The Role Of The Ed Tech Coach And Why You Need One
This article reviews the types of instructional coaching for technology integration and the importance of such coaching.
http://talktechwithme.com/2017/09/19/4-resources-to-define-role-edtech-coaches/
Transformative Technology Coaching
This wikispace has been developed by a technology coach, and provides practical insights for other coaches. In addition, the site includes useful planning and implementation resources.
http://sspd.wikispaces.com/Transformative+Technology+Coaching