Google Launches Free Curriculum for Certified Ed Tech Coach Credential
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 06/29/20
Google
has kicked off a new Google
for Education Certified Coach Program,
for instructional coaches, and specifically the individuals who work
with educators to help them integrate technology appropriately into
their instruction.
The
program is free and will take about 20
hours of self-study,
spread out through the school year. However, participants need to
have first earned their Google
Educator certifications,
both levels one and two, and those programs have nominal fees
attached.
The
curriculum uses what Google calls a "research-based five-step
coaching model," intended to help coaches develop skills they’ll
use over the school year. Those include:
-
Aligning
coaching with school and district goals;
-
Building
strong teacher relationships; and
-
Measuring
coaching impact.
Once
somebody has earned the certification, they'll join a community of
coaches, be invited to professional development events and get a
listing in the Google
for Education Directory.
Coaches
pursuing the credential may also choose to work with "coaching
partners,"
companies that will provide mentoring for a fee.
"The
Certified Coach Program is centered around a coaching model that
lends itself to rich and meaningful experiences between teachers and
their coach," said Rachel McVeagh, a coach herself in the
program, in a statement on the website. "Its individualized,
challenge-based and non-evaluative approach really helps teachers
feel supported and ready to step out of their comfort zone."
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.