Torsh Talent PD Platform Adds New Coaching Component
Torsh is adding new features
to its Torsh
Talent online professional development (PD) platform that is
intended to enhance the coaching phase of PD and add an in-person
component to
what has primarily been a video observation tool.
The traditional Torsh
Talent platform lets
users upload instruction-related video, taken via mobile app, for
viewing and
provides space for reflection, discussion and feedback. The idea is
that
teachers can upload video they have shot of their own classroom
performance and
then collaborate online with their coaches based on the material to get
feedback.
While
the new version includes new navigation upgrades, the focus is on a
"Coaching
Corner" module with multiple tools to improve the coaching process, not
only
with video but with in-person observation, feedback and coaching.
The "Coaching
Corner" module will allow schools, districts and universities using the
tool
to:
- Conduct
both in-person and video-based observation and evaluation;
- Use
customized frameworks to assess educator performance;
- Create
goals, monitor progress and track educator development over time;
- Organize
feedback and associated resources in electronic portfolios;
- Track
coaching via customized coaching logs;
- Schedule
coaching sessions with a built-in calendar; and
- Produce
detailed reports for individual educators, schools and districts.
"We
fully expect these new features in Talent to streamline our coaching
process
even further, and enable better teacher training for our fellows," said
Melissa
Scheve, project director for Stanford University's Hollyhock Fellowship Program.
About the Author
Michael Hart is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and the former executive editor of THE Journal.