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Authors: William Sugar, Patricia J. Slagter van Tryon
Abstract
In an effort to develop a virtual technology coach for K-12 educators, this article analyzed survey results from sixty teachers with regards to specific resources that a technology coach could provide within a virtual environment. A virtual technology coach was proposed as a possible solution to provide continual professional development for teachers to support their technology integration efforts. Results indicate that the Collaboration, Discussion, Learning, and Sharing resources of a virtual technology coach are considered valuable. This finding appears to corroborate the importance of developing a professional learning community to promote effective and sustained technology integration strategies among teachers. In addition, these virtual technology coaching attributes are identified in current education coaching (NETS*C) standards pointing to a potential support structure for schools and school districts implementing the NETS*C standards.
In an effort to develop a virtual technology coach for K-12 educators, this article analyzed survey results from sixty teachers with regards to specific resources that a technology coach could provide within a virtual environment. A virtual technology coach was proposed as a possible solution to provide continual professional development for teachers to support their technology integration efforts. Results indicate that the Collaboration, Discussion, Learning, and Sharing resources of a virtual technology coach are considered valuable. This finding appears to corroborate the importance of developing a professional learning community to promote effective and sustained technology integration strategies among teachers. In addition, these virtual technology coaching attributes are identified in current education coaching (NETS*C) standards pointing to a potential support structure for schools and school districts implementing the NETS*C standards.
MyNotes
- Finding corroborates the importance of developing a professional learning community to promote effective and sustained technology integration strategies among teachers.
- Continual professional development as opposed to one-time workshops has been deemed more effective in supporting teachers’ ability to learn about new teaching strategies and facilitating a change in their classrooms.
- Why a Virtual Technology Coach?
- Many school districts are now implementing school-based coaches as a way to provide effective and continual professional development.
- Coaches can help teachers incorporate new knowledge and skills into classroom practice both for the short-term and long-term.
- With the goal of creating a shared vision among all teachers, an instructional coach facilitates and maintains a supportive environment within a school setting.
- A coach creates a non-confrontational environment where teachers can share their thoughts, instructional best practices and learn from each other.
- A coach is also an encourager who can help teachers to become more comfortable and motivated to learn about new instructional strategies
- Including full-time, on-site technology coaches at a school significantly increased teachers’ confidence in integrating new technologies, as well as enhanced teachers’ new technology skills.
- The tech coach essentially establishes and nurtures a professional learning community of teachers.
- These learning communities enable their members to share ideas and resources among each other and to create a shared knowledge base of best practices and provide a “sense of collective accountability.”
- Virtual communities of practices…learning in an environment where communication is mediated allows building a knowable social context where participants can experience dynamic interpersonal interactions that lead to successful group structure.
- Establishment of an online presence is critical among virtual community members.
Be sure to listen to this podcast!
Alternate Link: Download & Listen to Podcast
(Note: This is a Dropbox link to download MP3 Audio File; Size: 21megs ; Length: 60 mins)
In this podcast, we explore collegial coaching for technology integration with the Drs Dawn Wilson and Katie Alaniz, authors of a just published book available in print and ebook formats, Naturalizing Digital Immigrants. You can find a link to the book in the show notes.
Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure