Jamie Fisher Observation and coaching
Navigate the Course
Unit 1: Observation and Coaching
Unit 2: Different Coaching Models
Unit 3: Virtual Observation and Coaching
Lesson One: What is Observation & Coaching?
Topics
Here are questions we'll cover in the first unit:
- What is observation & coaching, exactly?
- How can it improve teaching practice?
- What are the benefits and challenges?
- How can observation and coaching benefit my classroom?
Activities
Each unit we will have a series of activities that will guide you through an understanding of the topic, time for reflection, and then application of the topic into your own practice. These activities are tied to the learning objectives for each unit.
Activity 1: What do you already know?
To Do: Before we delve into observation and coaching, fill out this KWL. As you continue through the unit, be sure to revisit this chart to fill in more information and revisit any information that you put in initially.
Activity 2: Definitions
"Observation" and "Coaching" are two words that are thrown around frequently, so let's define them for the purposes of this mini course.
Observation: the action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information.
Coaching is a little harder to define. We need to know what it is and what it is not. For our course we will talk about coaching as the goal-oriented practice through which, " practitioners benefit from the wise counsel and hands-on assistance of experienced colleagues" in an ongoing professional development setting. Coaches help "to bring evidence-based practices into classrooms by working with teachers." And importantly, "Coaching is confidential, non-evaluative, and supportive"(PIIC).
Coaching is different from mentoring. Each has a distinct purpose:
- Mentoring vs. coaching.
- Read one teacher's description of the differences between mentoring and coaching.
To Do: Based on the definitions provided above and the two articles referenced, create a copy of this Frayer Model (Google Slides), and complete it with your own definition of "coaching" as it pertains to professional development within a classroom.
Activity 3: What are the benefits and challenges?
Now that you've crafted your own definition of coaching as part of a professional development model, it's important to look at whether or not coaching is an effective model of increasing a teacher's skill level, student gains, and longevity. While it is a known need, the research in this area is not extensive, so to tackle these issues we'll review research, articles, and video to come to better understand the challenges and benefits of implementing coaching as a professional development model.
To Do: For Activity 3, read Atul Gawande's article, and then choose 2 of the 3 resources from the list below to gather some broader perspectives on coaching to improve teacher practice. Once you've completed the reading, and done a personal reflection, head to this class-wide slide deck to reflect on the benefits and challenges of observation and coaching.
Let's start with the now famous article "Personal Best," by surgeon Atul Gawande. It's a long read, so if you've read it before, feel free to skim a bit, but if you haven't I recommend it as a highly interesting and useful description of the benefits and risks associated with taking on a coach.
Choose 2 resources from this list:
- Studying the Impact of Instructional Coaching, Jim Knight
- Innovative Coaching Models, Teaching Channel Video
- How Coaching Can Impact Teachers, Principals, and Teachers, Edutopia
Reflect: As you read, be sure to focus on the discussion and examples of coaching within a school setting. Think about your own classroom: How could a coach be beneficial to your teaching practice? What challenges might you experience with trying to implement coaching as a professional development model?
References
PIIC http://piic.pacoaching.org/index.php/piic-coaching/what-is-an-instructional-coach
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/teaching-coaching-models
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/coaching-impact-teachers-principals-students-elena-aguilar
Images
"Coaching" image from Stamboulie Consulting
Icon created by Freepik for www.flaticon.com, licensed under CC.