Learning coaches, learning conferences, learning centres, life-long learners.
I like the way our rhetoric has embraced the idea of learning and moved away from 'teaching'. Although I've never really subscribed to the concept of teacher as teller and wise old holder of the knowledge, okay maybe a teenie weenie bit 30 years ago when I was kicking off my career, I now greatly appreciate the fact that teaching has morphed more and more into lead learner status.
I'm currently researching what a learning coach is spost to be all about. What does a good learning coach do, how is that different to the old model, and how does it suit our context at Westmount school?
Three good questions right?
I started with some research. Mostly came up empty but here's a bit of what I've found out so far, regarding some key points of being a learning coach and how this role can be a mutually enjoyable and rewarding relationship.
- Coaching is a one-to-one relationship in which the coach’s experience assists the learner with their action learning.
- Coaches can help especially with the reflection and conclusions.
- Individuals prefer to learn in different ways and the coach should be aware of such differences.
- The role of the coach in action learning is to support and enable the learner.
- Building a comfortable relationship is important.
- The will to complete the learning or be a good coach is the main success factor.
- Teachers (expert collaborators) need to make learning visible, need to have the capacity to facilitate learning conversations with learners regardless of content
Reading this again reminded that I did a lot of coaching stuff in the Middle East while working for Cognition.
That's where I'm headed next.
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