Technology Coaching: A More Personal Approach

I have been doing a great deal of reading on professional development techniques to assist schools in creating digital classrooms that will enhance student learning while giving students 21st Century Skills. Lets face it, all teachers know that the spray and pray method of professional development doesn't work. After such PD, teachers are expected to implement what they have learned without continued support. This technique doesn't work well especially when it comes to training faculty to use technology.

Technology Coaching is a new term that describes a more personal approach to training teachers. It means that the providers of educational technology professional development will not only work with groups of faculty, but also individuals on an on-going basis. No more spray and pray! Using this model of PD really lets the tech. coaches get to know the faculty that they are serving on a more informal and friendly basis thus helping faculty use the technology resources that best fit their students' needs. Teachers need differentiated instruction just as our students do and tech. coaching seems to me a wonderful way to help teachers facilitate learning for kids in a way that works for everyone involved!!

Does your district use Technology Coaches? If so, please tell us about it.