Empowerment of teachers through

Peer Coaching

Presented by SchoolNetSA representatives

1 October 2008

Presentation by: Introduction by Omashani Naidoo

omashani@schoolnet.org.za Peer Coaching in

East London – Claire Dean claire@stirlingps.co.za Soweto – Nomty Gcaba nomty@schoolnet.org.za Bloemfontein - Sarietjie Musgrave

sarietjie@ehs.co.za  The link between a school’s professional

development and peer coaching – Brenda Hallowes bhallowes@aerosat.co.za

Why Peer coaching? - Brenda Hallowes Award Presentation: Peer Coach Winner of the Year

by Janet Thomson, CEO SchoolNetSA

Introduction

by

Omashani NaidooProgramme Manager

Peer Coaching-Peer Coaching-

where it fits into the National Guidelines for where it fits into the National Guidelines for Teacher TrainingTeacher Training

There are 5 There are 5 workshops over a workshops over a cycle of 12 monthscycle of 12 months

Peer Coaching Peer Coaching at a glanceat a glance

Workshops are supplemented by:Workshops are supplemented by: A peer coach programme CDA peer coach programme CD Online coaching tools Online coaching tools http://

www.school.za/PILP/peercoach/ BlogsBlogs

Selection of CoachesSelection of Coaches

Coaches are nominated by school Coaches are nominated by school principals principals

Up to 3 coaches per school can be Up to 3 coaches per school can be nominatednominated Coaches Coaches

should be:should be:o respected respected

by peers,by peers,o ICT literateICT literateo have access have access

to the to the Internet Internet

Goals of the Goals of the Peer Peer Coaching Coaching programmeprogramme Teachers learn from Teachers learn from

each othereach other Build teachers Build teachers

as leadersas leaders Systematic integration Systematic integration

of ICT across the of ICT across the curriculumcurriculum

Engage learners in Engage learners in powerful learningpowerful learning

Support professional Support professional development in schoolsdevelopment in schools

Activities Activities Covered in Covered in the Programmethe Programme Creating a coaching plan for the schoolCreating a coaching plan for the school Learning to identify teaching resources that Learning to identify teaching resources that

match curriculum focusmatch curriculum focus Learning communication skills to promote Learning communication skills to promote

discussion about planning learning discussion about planning learning activities or projects that use ICT to activities or projects that use ICT to enhance learningenhance learning

Reviewing current research on learning and Reviewing current research on learning and learn strategies to analyse design of lessonslearn strategies to analyse design of lessons

Finding solutions to coaching roadblocksFinding solutions to coaching roadblocks

Picture of Practice in East London

ByClaire Dean

Peer Coach Facilitator

Management Support Principals or their

representatives attended the mornings of sessions 1 and 7 with their peer coaches.

Support ranged from full support including the use of a laptop for the coach and each participating peer;

Change of class time table and extra-mural timetable; to

Very little or no support or understanding from the principal.

Roles of the Peer Coach

Online Collaboration

Peer coaches introduced themselves in the Meet an Greet Activity using the programme's online collaboration tools at http://communities.schoolnet.org.za

Norms

Each group decided on norms for the training period.

Peer Coaches were encouraged to create norms for coaching their own peers at school.

Norms were updated regularly and posted to the groups’ blog on the communities site: http://communities.schoolnet.org.za

Marketing the Programme

Peer coaches developed a marketing tool for their schools.

Peer Coaches Talitha, Winnie and Roché of George Randall Primary designed a brochure.

Titles covered are: Peer coaching programme What

is it all about? Roles of the peer coach Coaching Cycle

"How do I integrate ICT into the curriculum to increase learner

engagement and academic rigour?" How did ICT contribute to

learning? There are six major steps to

the lesson improvement process: Assessment Standards Student Task Learner/Teacher Directions Uses of ICT Design Assessments Identify Resources

Lesson Improvement Process Rubric.

Collaboration log

Introduction to during session 2.

To keep an ongoing record of coaching work.

Used to share your work with your principal.

Provide evidence of results for the time and effort put into coaching.

Roadblocks - Comments “I have the same problem so can empathise with you -

but after speaking to Ed, I am going to try to organise with my principal to chat to his principle. Maybe then I can be allocated more time to do the coaching which is necessary. He seems to have got it right…Comment by Graeme Harvey on 3/15/2008”

“We have not enough resources for the smooth running of this Peer Coaching as we have only one computer lab with only 20 stations. The ICT skills for some teachers is lacking… Comment by xolani peter on 3/15/2008”

Course evaluation - Quotations

“I’m seeing more and more relevance to my role as coach now that the sessions are getting to practical matters.”

“I have also learnt the value of teaching styles e.g. Hands on computer activities, video, flipchart brainstorming and discussion with other coaches.”

“Many ideas by other coaches were most useful.”

Course Evaluation - Quotations

“The chalk talk protocol was a fantastic exercise. It afforded everyone the opportunity to contribute and think about other participants contributions as well.”

“I’m looking forward to the next session. I’m already starting to think out of the box.”

“Evaluation of lessons was informative especially when we were using learning activity checklists.”

“Learned a lot from the primary school today and their help with ideas for lesson plans was extremely useful.”

Course Evaluation – Quotations…

“I enjoyed the showcase… Discussing our lesson with others brought insight into our lessons.”

“I found that collaborating with others when designing/improving a lesson was of GREAT value to me. This process ignited my creative side once again when trying to design creative, exciting and interesting lessons for the children. Educators can so easily become “stuck in rut” when teaching and teach the same tired old lesson over and over again. Reviving this spark was fantastic.”

Course Evaluation – Quotations…

“One must be ready to change and improve continuously. I am feeling motivated about the whole integration of ICT with those I am going to coach (those within my grade) as I have gained lots of useful ideas and tips.”

“Enthusiasm is contagious! Fortunately my colleagues are all very eager and see computers in a very positive light. This weekend has been very inspiring and I look forward to starting my coaching and planning with my peers in the next month.”

“Today was stimulating, informative, challenging and exciting.  Long may it stay this way!” 

Picture of Practice in Soweto

ByNomty Gcaba

Peer Coach Facilitator

Experiences : Soweto Peer Coaches

Wrong target Computer illiterate Internet on and off Educators not keen Very Dedicated.

Lesson Improvement - Tessellation

Task Learner to draw different

patterns, Colour the shapes with their own choice of colour and using  paint as a program.

Learners design PowerPoint presentation or  Microsoft word with all the findings.

Lesson Improvement - Tessellation

Tips for Teachers Make sure that all the learners have the necessary tools such as scissors, glue and a blank A4 paper.

Safety on using the tools especially the scissors is essential.

Make learners to work in pairs. 

Lesson Improvement – Tessellation

Files supporting this resource:

Notes that can be used to support the learner in making him/her to understand

This a sample rubric for assessing the learner.

The lesson plan sample for teaching tessellation in grade10

Simple PowerPoint presentation for the introduction of tessellation in grade.

Data Handling - Bar graphs

Learners collect data on how many learners subscribe to various networks.

(cell phones only)

Which cell phone network is most popular amongst learners?

Find out the reasons for the most and least popular network.

Draw the bar graphs to interpret data using MS excel or power point.

Tips for Teachers Teachers must be aware of the existing

call charges and incentives offered by these network companies.

Files supporting this resource Learners are going into various classes to

ask other learners questions about the use of cell phone network they are currently subscribed to.

Teacher's PowerPoint presentation Teacher presentation

How I changed the situation from bad to very good working relationship

I listened, went and did what I was "directed" to do by the collaborating teacher, and I came back to him and I persuaded him to come and look at the progress "We've" done on "his" plan and he agreed.

By giving ownership of the project to him I made him believe that I was working for him, anyway he came and looked at the design of the learning resource (Ecosystems Grade 8), I made sure he sat in front of the computer while I just stood behind him to make sure I was close by in case he needed help.

How I changed the situation… continued

This has been a great strategy, since it allows the unwilling teacher to understand the power of collaborating and they start to work in collaboration with me rather than giving everything to me to work for them and present them with a finished product.

Find a hook

Hooking the teachers was made easier by the fact that we have our deputy principal was very interested in the whole programme.

Our main objective as a committee is to have a situation where all educators make use of the computers that are at our disposal. We believe that it is possible judging by the respond we got so far.

Analysis of the Telecollaboration Resource

After teaching the lesson in class, the teacher took learners out of the classroom into the real world where they did a project.

Come up with findings after consultations with community members and collaboration with other learners through the use of technology.

Linking the local and global it empowers them in terms of knowledge, social, moral, caring, etc.

Still today

The internet is on and off

Watch closelyReportingGraduated.

Picture of Practise in Bloemfontein

BySarietjie Musgrave

Peer Coach Facilitator

Examples of improved lessons

Many teachers attending - never used computers in own teaching

Piñatas Excel in a maths

lesson Discover the solar

system Art on the Internet

eZine articlesSmall Steps brings Big change

Applicable to all teachers, e.g. granny help with e-mail to Australia leads to use of data-projector in class and own PowerPoint presentations

Provides ongoing professional support Collaboration happens everywhere Encourage teachers to try something

new Build on small achievements

eZine articles

The Ripple Effects of Peer Coaching

Small pebbles Big ripple effects Motivating staff to be

open-minded about ICT

Improved confidence level

eZine articles

Zero to Hero Peer Coaching

Help teachers “grow” Started at point zero –

little, no facilities Break down fear Peer coach group =

support group amongst ourselves

Examples of Solved roadblocksTime management

Solutions1. Meet with the principal to

try make coaching a priority.

2. Create a conversation with the principal about the alignment between my coaching work and the schools efforts.

3. Organise a weekly activities plan where peer coaching will be a priority.

4. My peer and I set up a set of ground rules that will govern our working together.

Technological support is often a difficulty. There is a gap between the responsibilities of the network administrator and general technological support for the staff. As a result many small easily solved problem are left unattended causing frustration.

Solutions1. Possible solution is to start a log

book recording all the complaints for four months and then present this to the technology committee to make them aware of this problem.  Also add photocopies of the requests for maintenance from NCC.

2. Our goal is to solve smaller problems more quickly and effectively within the next three months.

3. Actions:  Start a log book; inform staff of logbook, check progress weekly.  Report back to SMT every two weeks.

Quotes of coaches and principals

Wow – how far we have come! Thank you for giving me this opportunity! The highlight of my year!

Peer coaching was a tremendous learning experience! It opened up possibilities I always knew were there, but did not know how to access. Our group together with our facilitator became quite close and we would like to keep contact via a “Peer Coach” support group which could meet socially to discuss our frustrations and share our successes.

Quotes of coaches and principals, continue…

This has been the most inspirational, self enrichment journey I have ever undertaken. The journey will be ongoing as I pick up more passengers on the way, who will become drivers of their won vehicles once their ICT skills develop, and then they will be picking up their own passengers. What can be more rewarding than being a Peer Coach?

Definitely a mind blowing wow!! Day so many options, so many ideas. I’m so exited and cant wait to refine and share these new skills!

Professional Development includes

Peer Coaching

ByBrenda Hallowes

Peer Coach Facilitator

Present collaborative planning

Grade teachers work together for:

Curriculum planning Assessment planning Give feedback and

improve lessons Set grade standards

What skills do educators exercise?

Listening Use clarifying questions Sharing ideas Inspiring and encouraging one another Improving teaching and learning Help one another understand

assessment criteria and process. Share frustrations about admin load.

What about integrating ICT?

IT lessons regarded as domain of “specialist”

Done in the computer lab.

Perception that teachers have enough to do without worrying about IT integration.

Many teachers don’t have ICDL or similar training and therefore consider themselves inadequate.

21st Century Learning Goals

Collaboration Creativity Critical thinking Communication Cross-cultural

understanding Technology

integration Self direction

Meeting the workplace needs

School graduates need the ability to cope with IT integration into all spheres of life.

This is true even if learners are not going on to tertiary education.

How are educators starting to meet that need within the curriculum?

IT cannot be an isolated, separate learning area.

What is a Peer Coach? He or she is not the IT expert. Someone with good interpersonal skills

who can empathize with colleagues’ struggles.

Someone who is enthusiastic about education and wants to succeed in spite of the current negative aspects.

Someone who is learning and growing and can inspire colleagues to do the same.

Microsoft Peer Coach Programme

Should be part of professional development.

The peer coach attends eight one day sessions during the year.

The peer coach works with at least two colleagues to enrich lessons and include IT integration.

The peer coach learns with colleagues.

Award Presentation Peer Coach Winner of the

Year 2008

by Janet ThomsonCEO SchoolNetSA