Peer Coaching

Introduction

Mr Parks, a Grade 6 teacher at Oak Crest School, applied and was accepted to the Microsoft Peer Coaching Programme. The decision to be a coach was an easy one for Mr Parks because he understands how ICT can help learners learn and he enjoys collaborating with other teachers. For instance, last year he helped the other Grade 6 teachers design a series of lessons to help learners evaluate web pages. Since then, many teachers at the school ask him for help with their computers. He hopes that the Peer Coaching Programme will help him gain some coaching skills and help him develop a more systematic approach to working with his colleagues. The principal hopes the coaching programme will help foster a climate for collaboration among the staff and will support the Writing Across the Curriculum academic focus the school started last year.

About the school

There are 22 classroom teachers at the school. Two years ago, the staff developed an ICT integration plan with a goal that all learners will use ICT as a tool for learning, communicating, and collaborating. Teachers and learners have computers in the classroom and teachers can schedule a laptop cart to use in the classroom. The school district offers workshops to help teachers learn how to use computer software programmes like Microsoft Word™ or Excel™.

After announcing the start of the Peer Coaching Programme, two different groups of teachers expressed interest in working with a coach.

The first group consists of teachers who rarely use ICT because they lack skills and understanding of how to use ICT in the classroom. In the past, their learners have used Microsoft Word to write a report or used a programme to practice their mathematics facts. They wonder if ICT could help improve their learners' reading and writing skills, but they do not know where to start.

The second group of teachers interested in working with a coach has basic computer skills and has integrated technology into at least one major project each year. For example, learners used the Internet and then created a PowerPoint™ presentation for a report. The teachers would like learners to use ICT more routinely in their assignments, but they have a concern that ICT might take time away from learning the required curriculum. They want help planning lessons that integrate ICT.

Task

Since this is a new programme for the school, there are important decisions the teacher and principal must make to ensure its success. Your job is to work with a team to make some crucial planning decisions about the coaching programme at this school. Using online resources, you will learn more about what makes an effective coaching programme. You will use that information to answer these questions:

• What should be Mr Park's most important coaching role?
• Whom should Mr Park coach?
• What could Mr Park do to align his coaching work with the school's focus on writing across the curriculum?
• What resources could the school contribute to the coaching teams?

Bonus Questions (answer if you have time):

• When could the coach meet with collaborating teachers?
• What is required of the collaborating teachers?

Process

1. Organize your team and assign each team member, or pairs of team members, one of the articles from the Resources section listed below. (5 minutes)
   Note: If there is time, assign each person an item in the Optional Resources section. You do not have to use all of the resources.
2. Allow time for individuals to read and take notes. (10 minutes)
3. Regroup and identify a facilitator, timekeeper, and recorder.
4. Take turns sharing two key points from the assigned reading. (10 minutes)
5. Answer the planning questions in the simulation. (20 minutes)
6. Share your team's answers to the planning questions with the large group. (10 minutes)

Required Resources

• McKenzie, J. (1999). Coaching for a change. How Teachers Learn Technology Best. Available from http://staffdevelop.org/coaching.html
• Bray, B. (2004, April). Let your mentors do the coaching. OnCue, 26(2), 18-19. Available as Let Your Mentors Do the Coaching
• Finding Time Providing Support
• Tolisano, S. (2009, June). Never Was About Technology?- Time to Focus on Learning?
• Sample Peer Coaching Plan

Optional Resources

• Coaching Scenarios handout
• e-Zine articles written by coaches (select the Coaching Chronicles tab on the Peer Coaching Programme website and browse the articles)
• Frequently Asked Questions about Coaching
• Abdal-Haqq, I. (1996). Making time for teacher professional development. Available here