The above podcast was created by Miguel Guhlin. You can access it along with other related topics of discussion on his website Around the Corner
Naturalizing Digital Immigrants: the Power of Collegial Coaching for Technology Integration - the introduction
Whether read from the perspective of a school administrator, instructional technologist, or other individual seeking to assist teachers in more effectively mining the vast potential of instructional technology, this guidebook sheds light upon the immense promise of collegial coaching for expanding technology integration within school environments.
The book commences by acquainting the reader with the power of knowledge transfer between digital natives and digital immigrants. The term “digital immigrants” refers both to teachers not born in the digital age as well as those not comfortable using technology in the classroom. Such educators may lack the technological expertise necessary to provide technology-rich lessons for their students.
In this book, “digital immigrant” signifies less of a chronological label and more of an experiential label. For these individuals, a targeted intervention is needed to help them feel confident enough to integrate technology into their instruction, and collegial coaching from technology-savvy colleagues, or “digital natives,” represents an effective strategy.
After examining the possibilities of knowledge transmission from digital natives to digital immigrants, coaching programs within educational settings are investigated, including an overview of the foundations of collegial coaching for technology integration. Collegial coaching programs have been recommended as an integral component of comprehensive professional development strategies for aiding teachers in meeting the demands of their occupation. An overview of the literature in support of this model is presented within this book.
The need for collegial coaching is subsequently assessed, and new dilemmas facing the digital immigrants guiding today’s classrooms are highlighted. Challenged with escalating mandates for accountability, many educators of today consistently struggle to allocate time within their busy schedules to learn about the latest instructional technology, let alone identify the means by which to incorporate it into the required curriculum. Encouragement and assistance in doing so is needed now more than ever before.
The reader is then introduced to strategies for applying the basics of collegial coaching. More specifically, a proven model for effective coaching for technology integration is outlined. The methods presented have been employed in school settings for the past several years with great success, providing novice users of technological resources with enhanced confidence in utilizing such tools in their own planning and teaching.
Next, the book underscores the unique perspectives offered by digital natives within the field of education. Collegial coaching provides a professional helping relationship and process in which a coach with expertise and experience aids the learning and acquisition of new skills by a colleague. Such programs represent a professional development vehicle by which educators can learn to integrate technology with success. Strategies and techniques for cultivating quality coaches within school settings are provided.
Approaches to creating a collaborative learning environment in which teachers coach teachers are then described. Topics include expanding coaches’ background knowledge and skills about technology integration, exploring principles for effective coaching, and providing structure and ongoing support of the coaching processes.
The reader is then offered practical steps for tackling teacher apprehension through the collegial coaching process. By way of following specific strategies for guiding coached teachers in finding success, collegial coaching programs pave the way for eliminating digital immigrants’ apprehensions regarding technology integration.
The book concludes with a summative overview of methods for fostering an environment of collegial coaching within school settings. As coached teachers achieve developmental milestones, their enthusiasm often becomes contagious, thus inspiring them to share their successes with colleagues.
Also included are real-life success stories involving the transformation of teacher technology integration through collegial coaching, designed to inspire and inform readers in their journey to implement this strategy within their own professional settings. Such narratives serve to reaffirm the reality that an investment in coaching through successful technology integration holds the potential to profoundly and perpetually transform the culture of a school campus.
The book commences by acquainting the reader with the power of knowledge transfer between digital natives and digital immigrants. The term “digital immigrants” refers both to teachers not born in the digital age as well as those not comfortable using technology in the classroom. Such educators may lack the technological expertise necessary to provide technology-rich lessons for their students.
In this book, “digital immigrant” signifies less of a chronological label and more of an experiential label. For these individuals, a targeted intervention is needed to help them feel confident enough to integrate technology into their instruction, and collegial coaching from technology-savvy colleagues, or “digital natives,” represents an effective strategy.
After examining the possibilities of knowledge transmission from digital natives to digital immigrants, coaching programs within educational settings are investigated, including an overview of the foundations of collegial coaching for technology integration. Collegial coaching programs have been recommended as an integral component of comprehensive professional development strategies for aiding teachers in meeting the demands of their occupation. An overview of the literature in support of this model is presented within this book.
The need for collegial coaching is subsequently assessed, and new dilemmas facing the digital immigrants guiding today’s classrooms are highlighted. Challenged with escalating mandates for accountability, many educators of today consistently struggle to allocate time within their busy schedules to learn about the latest instructional technology, let alone identify the means by which to incorporate it into the required curriculum. Encouragement and assistance in doing so is needed now more than ever before.
The reader is then introduced to strategies for applying the basics of collegial coaching. More specifically, a proven model for effective coaching for technology integration is outlined. The methods presented have been employed in school settings for the past several years with great success, providing novice users of technological resources with enhanced confidence in utilizing such tools in their own planning and teaching.
Next, the book underscores the unique perspectives offered by digital natives within the field of education. Collegial coaching provides a professional helping relationship and process in which a coach with expertise and experience aids the learning and acquisition of new skills by a colleague. Such programs represent a professional development vehicle by which educators can learn to integrate technology with success. Strategies and techniques for cultivating quality coaches within school settings are provided.
Approaches to creating a collaborative learning environment in which teachers coach teachers are then described. Topics include expanding coaches’ background knowledge and skills about technology integration, exploring principles for effective coaching, and providing structure and ongoing support of the coaching processes.
The reader is then offered practical steps for tackling teacher apprehension through the collegial coaching process. By way of following specific strategies for guiding coached teachers in finding success, collegial coaching programs pave the way for eliminating digital immigrants’ apprehensions regarding technology integration.
The book concludes with a summative overview of methods for fostering an environment of collegial coaching within school settings. As coached teachers achieve developmental milestones, their enthusiasm often becomes contagious, thus inspiring them to share their successes with colleagues.
Also included are real-life success stories involving the transformation of teacher technology integration through collegial coaching, designed to inspire and inform readers in their journey to implement this strategy within their own professional settings. Such narratives serve to reaffirm the reality that an investment in coaching through successful technology integration holds the potential to profoundly and perpetually transform the culture of a school campus.
