Transforming classrooms through coaching

[Anne Baird]

I am interested in how schools are approaching professional development, support and coaching to teachers who need to add elearning/ICT and in particular the use of Web2 applications into their teaching program. If we accept that much of this new learning should be transforming rather than simply adding to the classroom program, what does that PD look like? Where do you start? How much is peer coaching? What does that look and sound like? I would love to hear how other schools are developing in this area.

[Pat Sine]

This article had some useful info for me: Teaching How to Teach: Coaching Tips from a Former Principal | Edutopia ..http://www.edutopia.org/how-to-instructional-coaching-tips

[Anne Baird]

thanks Pat. It was very helpful. It always interesting to read and learn about the experiences of others.

[Betsy Riter]

Pat's article is food for thought, but as webmaster and teacher of the gifted in two schools in my district, I am not normally coaching teachers. I am interested in how people have begun to disseminate their knowledge of Web 2.0 . There is so much. I foresee that principals and teachers alike may be interested, but perplexed and not take time to understand. I'd like to know some practical ways people have evangelized on such things as social bookmarking, or wikis. So far, most people have so little knowledge that when I try to tell them what Delicious is, they just say, "Oh." and walk away smiling and nodding. I'm thinking talking to one of my principals alone might be the way to go........ And if so, what single thing would be first?

[sharleen berg]

Thanks Pat for your comments. We are at the same place with our staff concerning the disseminating of Web 2.0 knowledge. Not being very experienced myself, I am hesitant but am going to try working with one or two teachers, using some basic tools with them and their students.

Another option might be what I've seen other schools try; open invitation to attend after-hours sessions focused on one of the tools. We're going to try this in our building this year, and I'm hoping it will take only a few teachers to take interest and help spread the word...the fever!

[Falconswiki]

I think what is potentially so exciting about Web 2.0 is that our leaders, managers and coaches don't have to be part of our school, 'district' or educational system; I am learning far more from studying online examples and reading blogs than I have from any INSET or initiative. Our 'peer coaches' can now live on the other side of the world! To my mind, this profoundly challenges how we think about leadership within our schools. Rather than rely on our Leadership team within our individual school we can learn from our peers in a hundred different institutions.