More than just knowing stuff!

Peer Coaching and Online Professional Learning Networks

July 24, 2008

Professional Learning for teachers can take many different shapes and forms. There can be workshops, presentations, action research and peer coaching. Most recently Online Learning Networks have emerged through the Read/Write Web allowing teachers to learn anytime, anywhere.

In their research Joyce and Showers (pdf) tell us that Coaching (Peer Coaching) is the most effective way to ensure skills and knowledge are transferred to the classroom. We all know how easy it is to lose IT if you don’t use IT!

Type of training -

Theory: Knowledge Mastery = 85% Skill Acquisition =15% Classroom Application = 5-10%
Practice: Knowledge Mastery = 85% Skill Acquisition = 80% Classroom Application =10-15%
Coaching, Study teams, Peer visits: Knowledge Mastery = 90% Skill Acquisition = 90% Classroom Application = 80-90%

As a classroom teacher myself for many years, I fully appreciate the need to have the real person right there by your side or just around the corner to call on for support. However, I also see the great advantages of the read/write web and that there are many opportunities to call on support in an online world.

So I am very excited about the possibilities of Peer Coaching and developing Professional Online Learning Networks – especially in the area of embedding ICT across the school and the curriculum.

I am running training in the Western Metropolitan Region this semester and look forward to meeting many teachers from both primary and secondary levels.

Training dates :- August 26th and 27th, September 12th, October 20th, November 10th, December 4th

Entry Filed under: ICT,learning,pedagogy,Peer Coaching,Web2.0. Posted in  ICT ,learning ,pedagogy ,Peer Coaching ,Web2.0 Tags: ICT, Peer Coaching, PLN, professional learning, research.