Teaching is a noble but challenging profession. Every day, teachers strive to do and be better for their students, aiming to inspire, educate and help them grow. Dedicated educators leave a positive mark on students’ lives. Their impact can be even greater when they take advantage of various instructional coaching tools.
Teaching today is challenging due to diverse student needs, limited resources, larger class sizes and the demand for individualized instruction. Additionally, the lack of quality professional learning opportunities makes it difficult for teachers to adapt to evolving educational environments. Teachers need individualized support and instruction to better serve their students. But where can they find job-embedded, personalized professional learning to unlock growth? Leveraging classroom video, a human coach and AI can enhance teaching practices and support continuous improvement.
A teacher’s and virtual coach’s journey to continuous improvement
As a dedicated classroom teacher, Deedee always believed in growth and improvement. Like many teachers, she was her own harshest critic, constantly seeking ways to enhance her teaching for her students’ sake. Her teaching journey was driven by a profound “why” – to inspire, educate and make a difference. Deedee found personalized professional learning by combining three key elements: classroom video, a human coach and a video platform with AI-driven data. These coaching tools provided valuable insights, community and collaboration, offering support to refine her practice.
How we started working together
Deedee, a teacher in Florida, and Donna, an instructional coach in Pennsylvania, began a virtual six-week coaching cycle. Using Sibme, a video platform, we utilized its capabilities for video recording, video tagging, resource uploading, discussion boards and AI-generated data reports. Deedee set two initial goals and uploaded weekly recordings related to each goal. We met virtually once a week on Zoom to review progress, make adjustments and explore resources that enriched our collaborative efforts.
The impact of video on professional learning
Deedee shared, “Using video for the first time profoundly impacted my teaching and students’ learning. Although I initially made harsh self-criticism, my mindset quickly shifted when I realized that this journey wasn’t all about me; it was about my students. Focusing on my students, I adjusted my strategies, made lessons more engaging and saw real-time improvements resulting in my students’ learning improvement.”
We learned that repeated use of video helps teachers become more comfortable with seeing and hearing themselves, reducing initial discomfort. Emphasizing student learning and behavior allows teachers to focus on improvement and continue using video as a valuable tool for personalized professional learning and development.
- Objective analysis. Viewing student behavior objectively allows teachers to evaluate their methods without feeling judged.
- Concrete evidence. Video recordings provide clear insights into classroom dynamics, empowering teachers to make data-informed decisions.
- Reflective practice. Encourages straightforward reflective practice, making identifying areas for improvement and celebration easier.
- Support tools. Coaching tools like Donna’s Question Prompt Tool with 10 Sample Questions for Video Self-Reflection enhance the effectiveness of video-based professional development.
Over time, repeated use of video helps teachers become more comfortable with seeing and hearing themselves, reducing initial discomfort. Emphasizing student learning and behavior allows teachers to focus on improvement, using video as a valuable tool for personalized professional learning.
The impact of human coaching on professional learning
Studies show that teacher coaching programs have significant positive effects on instruction and smaller positive effects on achievement, attributed to human coaches. Here are ways a human coach can support teacher growth:
- Personalized feedback. Coaches provide actionable feedback tailored to a teacher’s needs, addressing challenges and leveraging strengths. Timely interventions enable quicker improvements.
- Objective analysis. An unbiased perspective on video recordings helps teachers see overlooked aspects of their teaching and student interactions. Coaches interpret data to develop actionable improvement plans.
- Expert insights and resources. Coaches bring extensive experience, offering valuable insights, advanced techniques and best practices. They share innovative methods, aiding continuous improvement.
- Continuous improvement. Regular interactions and support promote ongoing learning and development, helping teachers refine practices and achieve better student outcomes.
- Support tools. Coaching tools like Donna’s Question Prompt Tool, created with 10 Sample Questions for Video With a Coach, enhance coaching effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
Dee shared, “Having a human coach in a six-week cycle greatly impacted my teaching and my students’ learning. Consistent feedback, support and personal growth boosted my confidence, and this sense of collaboration and community helped me feel I wasn’t struggling alone. Student achievement and engagement increased, a defiant student’s behavior improved and we developed creative solutions.”
The impact of AI on professional learning
We learned that incorporating AI data reporting with video and a human virtual coach can significantly enhance professional learning for teachers and coaches. Here’s how this approach transforms teaching practice and student learning:
- Data-informed insights. AI analyzes video recordings in real time, providing immediate feedback on teaching practices and student interactions for prompt adjustments.
- Comprehensive reports. AI generates detailed reports on key metrics like student engagement and classroom interactions, with data visualization tools aiding in quick trend interpretation.
- Enhanced collaboration. AI-generated reports are a foundation for productive discussions between teachers and coaches, supporting evidence-based decisions and goal setting.
- Efficiency. AI handles video gathering, allowing teachers and coaches to focus on improvements and spend more time mentoring and providing feedback.
- Ethical considerations. Ensure AI tools respect data privacy with clear policies. Transparency about AI usage builds trust, ensuring ethical technology use and acknowledging AI’s limitations while emphasizing human insight.
- Support tools. Coaching tools like the Question Prompt Tool with 10 Sample Questions for AI-Generated Data enhance this approach, fostering continuous improvement and professional growth.
Reflecting on the process, Dee shared, “I realized I’m my worst critic when I should be my cheerleader. I can confidently say I am a great teacher. I am not perfect, but no one is. I learned that I work hard, care deeply about my students and make a difference. To all the dedicated teachers who are their own toughest critics: this is for you. Don’t dismiss it until you try it; you might just surprise yourself.”
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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