Collaborative Coaching and Networking for Online Instructors
Collaborative coaching and networking with other online instructors is something that isn’t necessarily new, but is discussed in this article. The concept is to gain help and ideas from other teachers for their courses.
They discuss the fact that the faculty in many institutions feel that they know some things about the technology that they are being given, but do not know how to effectively use it or in some cases how to use it at all. This is where the coaches come into play.
With networking, faculty get together and discuss how they are using different technologies in their classes and how they would like to use it. By hearing ideas from others, it helps other members get more ideas. It also gives them information on the fact that if it didn’t work for one person that they are not necessarily alone in this endeavor and ideas on how to make it work or what they did incorrectly with the technology.
Collaborative coaching in a way is like an evaluation, only with another faculty member and not administration. The faculty member talks with their coach about problems or issues that they feel they are having within their course. The coach then monitors and watches within the course to see what is or is not happening. They can then meet with the faculty member and give them advice on what they did or did not see and how they may want to adapt things within the course to improve the situation.
The entire concept of this article is that teachers should not rely totally on themselves. All educators can learn from others and get help or ideas from each other if they are willing to first ask for it and then accept the help.
Baker, J. D., Redfield, K. L., & Tonkin, S. (2006). Collaborative coaching and networking for online instructors. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration 9 (4). Retrieved September 29, 2008 from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/winter94/baker94.htm