Research-Based Tech Coaching

All highly effective teachers have at least one trait in common. I believe the most obvious trait that they share is their passion for continuous growth and improvement; not just for their students, but also for themselves. Highly effective teachers have a burning desire to develop and improve themselves each year so that they can cultivate the best learning environment for their students. One of the most effective ways of continuous growth for teachers is through research-based technology coaching. 

According to Kraft, Blazar, & Hogan (2018, p. 548), "Instructional coaching has been shown to have a positive impact on teachers’ instructional practices, leading to improvements in student achievement when the coaching is sustained, collaborative, and embedded in teachers’ daily practices." The Impact Cycle by Jim Knight lays out a step-by-step process for coaches and teachers to maximize improvement and minimize frustration and complacency.

Jim Knight's process can be simplified into three words: Identify, Learn, and Improve. This process was developed by Jim Knight (2018, p. 3-4) for instructional coaches to "(a) position teachers as partners so that coaching really is two teachers talking with each other and (b) employ the high-impact actions within a coaching cycle". By following his process, instructional coaches can develop meaningful and genuine relationships with teachers that empower teachers to take ownership of their development and improvement. Watch the short video below for an overview of Jim Knight's Impact Cycle.

The Impact Cycle begins with "Identifying" areas for improvement. No matter how great a teacher you are, you can always find ways to improve. The area may be in classroom management or it may be in teaching phonics skills. The key for the first step is to pick out an area of focus to target what the teacher and coach will work together to improve upon. To be most effective, the coach should encourage the teacher to decide what the focus should be. 

The second step in the Impact Cycle is to "Learn". This step can take many forms. An instructional coach may model, co-plan, co-teach, or film and evaluate the teacher. No matter which option the coach and teacher decide is best, the goal is for the classroom teacher to maximize their growth to accelerate student learning. 

The final step in the Impact Cycle is to "Improve". This step allows the teacher to reflect on what has been learned and to take action within their classroom. The instructional coach is there to help the teacher create a plan and action steps to take what has been learned and apply it in the classroom. 

Since this is a cycle, this process is never complete. Highly effective teachers are continuously looking for ways to improve their teaching so that their students can reach their potential. A key component of successful coaching is building a trusting relationship. The instructional coach is responsible for choosing their coaching technique: facilitative, directive, or dialogical. This decision plays a massive role in deciding the type of relationship the coach has with the teacher. As Knight states (2018, p. 10), the coach can be a "sounding board, partner, or expert-apprentice". Depending on the teacher and coach's goals, each coaching technique can be useful. Although all have their strengths, I believe the most effective is the "Dialogical", as Knight (2018, p. 10) describes where the coach is a "partner and the teacher has valuable knowledge but may need other knowledge to improve" and where the coach "shares expertise dialogically that balances advocacy with inquiry." Watch the video below to see how effective instructional coaches should model their conversations with teachers.

In other words, the coach helps the teacher by asking pointed questions and encouraging reflection and deep thinking. Watch the video below to see what type of questions an instructional coach should be asking to maximize teacher growth.

To be the most effective, teachers need to work continuously to improve their practice and deepen their knowledge. I believe the best way to do this is through research-based technology coaching through Jim Knight's process, The Impact Cycle.  

References:

Knight, J. (2018). The Impact Cycle: What instructional coaches should do to foster powerful improvements in teaching. Corwin Press.

Kraft, M. A., Blazar, D., & Hogan, D. (2018). The effect of teacher coaching on instruction and achievement: A meta-analysis of the causal evidence. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 547-588. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318759268