One answer to this increasing dilemma is to incorporate coaching into the digital learning spectrum. Studies have shown that coaching provides mentoring and peer collaboration for educators, yielding the greatest opportunity for their success. As a professionally-trained and certified coach, I confess my bias toward coaching. But I’ve also seen the amazing results it brings about and believe wholeheartedly that it is a sound and viable method of support, community, and shared success.
But Will This Work?
Researchers at Regent University have concluded that while training prior to online instruction is imperative, the true benchmark is assisting faculty in the transition, which includes coaching. They write that using “collaborative coaching and networking into the instructors’ training and support plan serves as an impetus not only for initial training but also for continual improvement of their online pedagogical strategies in light of increasing student and technological sophistication.”
In this three-part series, we’ll explore how coaching supports digital educators, which coaching models are deemed the most effective, and tips for integrating technology, coaching, and community. We’ll start with basics and define coaching. Then we’ll delve into coaching models. We’ll wrap up with tips on how to implement a successful coaching program.
What is Coaching?
Coaching has many meanings to many people. The International Coaching Federation (ICF), the accreditation body for professional coaches, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
Another ascribed resource, Harry Wong, a San Francisco Bay Area educator and coaching expert, explains that coaches “help maximize personal and professional potential, while concomitantly upgrading their own professional proficiency… Coaching is customized and focused on providing instruction on what needs to be accomplished.” Wong further comments that “educators feel more motivated and responsible to act on new skills because coaching makes them personalized and customized on an ongoing basis.” (Wong & Wong, 2008)
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