This document provides three scenarios in which managers of instructional coaches and trainers of school leaders can more efficiently facilitate observation-feedback cycles through the use of Explorations.
For more information on how to create Explorations, click here.
For more information on what an Exploration is, click here.
Scenario 1: Providing Feedback to Instructional Coaches
Judy is responsible for supporting a team of instructional coaches. The district uses a well defined model for instructional coaching that involves three meetings between the coach and teacher: a pre-conference meeting to discuss challenges, an in-classroom observation, and a post-observation debrief.
>> Without Edthena
In order for Judy to help her instructional coaches improve their own coaching skills, she must travel to a building and observe all three of the meetings. This is very hard because the meetings often occur on different days. The process entails considerable time and travel.
As a result, Judy is usually only able to help a coach develop in one of the meetings types, and her own picture of how the coach is doing at his or her role is incomplete.
>> With Edthena
Judy is able to observe and provide feedback to all of her coaches - in all three parts of their coaching process - by creating an Exploration that requests participants to submit videos of all three meetings in a reflection cycle with a teacher.
Scenario 2: Providing Feedback on PD Implementation
Tim is the lead trainer for a new curriculum within the district. He mostly provides centralized training to staff members and school leaders. After Tim delivers the training, staff members and school leaders must implement the training for staff at their own schools.
>> Without Edthena
Tim has a limited ability to ensure the people he directly trained implement the session with fidelity. Most of the in-school workshops occur on the same day. If he’s lucky, he can observe and provide feedback to a few people.
>> With Edthena
Tim asks the people he trained to submit video of their training in Edthena, and then he can provide feedback to each person.
Scenario 3: Example Analysis
John supports a team of instructional coaches who are coaching teachers using video. He wants his coaches to norm on how they give teachers feedback, utilizing their framework. To do this, he needs to help his coaches practice.
>> Without Edthena
John must meet with his coaches as a whole group, watch an example video, then discuss how they would provide feedback on the lesson. During the discussion, they do their best attempt to reference the framework. The problem is, doing this once isn’t enough practice for his coaches. Additionally, John has no way to help his coaches practice independently.
>> With Edthena
John creates an Exploration and includes several videos as part of Example Analysis. In his instructions he asks the coaches to analyze the video and provide specific feedback by leaving comments. John can then provide feedback to the coaches on their comments and feedback.
