This course has pushed me to think about coaching beyond what I have been asked to do in the past. During this semester I was able to not only read some great resources about what coaching should look like, but also work with my peers to implement some of these strategies in my current work place. The two most useful assignments I completed in this course were the peer coaching journal and the creation and implementation of a one-hour technology workshop. For the peer coaching I was able to take a colleague that I already had a good working relationship with and use assessment techniques to determine where she stood in terms of technology usage in her classroom and more importantly how comfortable she was with change. Using the Adopter Survey created by my PLC group allowed me to think in terms of not only where teachers are in their use of technology, but also how willing and open they were to change and further implementation. Some teachers come across as though they are on the cutting edge, when in fact they have just found a tool they enjoy and are not interested in continuing the growth cycle of learning and implementing innovative ideas. Others are extremely open to being innovative, but lack the resources to show it.
The creation and implementation of the technology workshop was eye-opening because it took something I have been doing on my own as a teacher leader in my school to a new level. Instead of just sharing what I had learned about something with those I work closest with, I really had to consider my audience and the needs of those around me. In creating an agenda and Weebly that the teachers could go back and access at any point on their own, I pushed myself to be more organized and intentional in what I presented and how. The idea of using a Weebly that teachers can go back and access at any point is one that I want to use in the future as a technology coach. I feel as though if teachers know there is a one-stop shop that will give them answers and resources for technology integration in the classroom, they will be more likely to use the resource and therefore also ask clarifying questions if needed. If nothing else, it provides a great landing page to document all of the training being offered so that you can see how things have grown and all judge if the needs of the people are being met with what is offered.
The creation and implementation of the technology workshop was eye-opening because it took something I have been doing on my own as a teacher leader in my school to a new level. Instead of just sharing what I had learned about something with those I work closest with, I really had to consider my audience and the needs of those around me. In creating an agenda and Weebly that the teachers could go back and access at any point on their own, I pushed myself to be more organized and intentional in what I presented and how. The idea of using a Weebly that teachers can go back and access at any point is one that I want to use in the future as a technology coach. I feel as though if teachers know there is a one-stop shop that will give them answers and resources for technology integration in the classroom, they will be more likely to use the resource and therefore also ask clarifying questions if needed. If nothing else, it provides a great landing page to document all of the training being offered so that you can see how things have grown and all judge if the needs of the people are being met with what is offered.