Logic Model II

After visiting a few schools and completing Program Development 101, my Logic Model has been updated. The Theory of Change identifies current and future actions. Initial/Intermediate Outcomes and Results will also be used as a way to assess the behaviors of Instructional Coaches. Since I plan to share this with my NESS Liaisons, I wonder if communicating the plan will assist with their KASABs. (click on the graphic to enlarge)

Another Way?- (FYI-Blocked by SBBC Firewall-Watch at Home!)

Since my AR study has a “coaching” focus using podcasts, then perhaps clips like this can also be used to coach teachers. This is an opportunity to show a "non-example" of being effective.



Ben Stein at his best (or worst)!!

What did you see?

Zero.
Nil.
Zip.
Zilch.

These are words that describe the number of times new educators were able to visit other classrooms to observe instruction. Being honest about this current practice only reinforces the need to provide instructional and management podcasts. Coaching with podcasts is not the “Golden Ticket” but until Administration provides opportunities for peer observation….

Attempting to provide a personal orientation to SCA Instructional Coaches assigned in the Superintendent Schools is quite a challenge. After visiting two groups, one elementary and one secondary, I am altering my process. I have two more visits scheduled next week and this time I have arranged to meet with just the NESS Liaison. We will complete a Continuous Improvement Plan (PDSA) that identifies the use of HRD podcasts as a coaching resource as the Desired State. This process will communicate clear expectations for the liaison, coaches and new educators and provide the monitoring needed to assist this study.

Coaching the Self

These comments are from teachers who were featured in the current HRD Podcasts. I wonder if their statements are related to one of the initial outcomes from my data plan? (see Coaching Skills from the Glass Box Evaluation post on 10/11/06). If this is a process that promotes reflection, how well does this prepare them for National Board? This information provides a new meaning to my Action Research question.

Describe your first reaction when you saw the completed podcast.
Comments included: Reinforced, Improve, Liked, Pleased, and Amazing

What did you notice in the podcast that you would like to continue practicing for future lessons? All responses connected with Instructional Organization and Delivery that included: Expectations, Focus, and 100% student interaction.

What did you notice in the podcast that you would want to do differently? Comments included reflective statements that focused on improving their practice (I messed up on..., I would call on..., I would rather...)

What did you notice in the podcast that you did not know prior to videotaping? Statements showed that the process provided another “set of eyes" (I Noticed..., I emphasized...)

Additional Comments made by the teachers:
a) It's a great way to display teacher's strengths and weaknesses.
b) I noticed I am confident in my teaching techniques and lesson plans. The lesson helped me with my plans this year with including the dry erase boards being utilized in other academic areas.

Reflective Questions

Coaching in the area of providing reflective questions is an area of the evaluation plan of my Action Research question. A request has gone out to National Board Certified Teachers to develop reflective questions that can be used as a tool to use with the podcasts.

The reflective questions will align with the Domain areas of planning, management, instruction, subject matter, communication, and assessment.

To show teachers the podcast is not enough, to make a difference we must demonstrate how this tool will assist in developing teachers.

Spreading the Word

I have offered direct assistance to meet with NESS Liaisons, Instructional Coaches, and New Educators of the South Central Superintendent Schools regarding accessing, subscribing, and utilizing these podcasts. I will work around their schedule to meet the Liaison individually or during a NESS Support Group meeting.

Today, I am presenting this new resource during Dillard High’s NESS Support Group meeting. This will be fun!

Update:
For a group with no prior knowledge or background, they were able to navigate to the HRD website, click on the RSS feed and download a podcast. Since the computers were from the wireless cart, the participants did not subscribe though iTunes. The focus of the presentation was to discover the purpose of podcasts and how these clips can add to the development of a New Educator.

The harsh reality is that time to see “real” teachers during the day is not an option for some. The agreed (as measured by responses and bobble-head actions) that these clips can provide an opportunity to discuss teaching practices. I do wonder just how many will utilize these to coach and I did notice that many kept downloading the other podcast even after I was finished.