Power Up Blended Learning

Catlin Tucker is a Google Certified Innovator, bestselling author, international trainer, and frequent Edtech speaker, who teaches in Sonoma County where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2010. Catlin's books Blended Learning in Grades 4-12 and Blended Learning in Action are both bestsellers. She has also written a book titled Creatively Teach the Common Core Literacy Standards with Technology to support teachers in thinking outside of the box as they shift to the Common Core. Catlin is working on her doctorate at Pepperdine University. She writes the "Techy Teacher" column for ASCD's Educational Leadership. She is active on Twitter @Catlin_Tucker and writes an internationally ranked education blog at CatlinTucker.com.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: Articulate the WHY Introduction WHY Blended Learning? Getting Teachers On Board With the WHY The HOW: Best Practices The WHAT: Branding the Shift to Blended Learning Eight Ways to Strengthen Your School Community Book Study Questions Chapter 2: A Roadmap for Building a Professional Learning Infrastructure Introduction Blended Learning Demands a New Approach to Professional Learning Professional Development: Defining the Scope The Spark: On-Site Targeted Training Led by an Expert One-on-One Coaching Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 3: Blended Learning Requires Effective Professional Development Introduction Traditional Professional Development Is Largely Ineffective Elements of Effective Professional Development Leaders Must Lean In Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 4: The Blended Learning Coach Introduction Coaching in a Blended Learning Context Elements of Effective Coaching Blended Learning Coaches Continue the Learning Redefining Teacher and Student Roles in a Blended Learning Environment A Quick Review of Blended Learning Models Blended Learning: Establish a Clear Plan Challenges Facing the Creation of a Coaching Culture Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 5: Coaching: Initial Conversation and Goal Setting Introduction The Power of Dialogic Interviews SMART Goal Setting Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 6: Coaching: Initial Observation and Debrief Introduction Coaching Must Be a Partnership What's the Goal of the Initial Observation? Communicating With Students The Debrief Revisit SMART Goals Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 7: Coaching: Co-lesson Planning Introduction Communicate With the Teacher Ahead of Time Meet Outside of the Classroom Identify the Goals Keep the Lesson Manageable: Think Big, but Start Small Provide Templates to Help Teachers Design Blended Lessons Don't Just Plan the Lesson, Create It Reflect on the Role of Technology in the Lesson Dealing With Details Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 8: Coaching: Real-Time Coaching Introduction Pre-lesson Chat: Review Lesson and Establish Norms for Real-Time Coaching Real-Time Coaching: "Pause, Discuss, Adjust" Document the Parts of the Lesson Written Feedback Using a Blended Learning Rubric Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 9: Coaching: Model Lessons and Co-teaching Introduction Designing and Teaching a Model Lesson Model Lesson Checklist Co-teaching Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 10: Coaching: Documenting, Reflecting, and Revisiting Introduction Dedicating Time, Energy, and Space to Reflection Becoming a Reflective Practitioner Reflect Using Documentation Using Digital Tools to Reflect Revisit SMART Goals Next Steps: Developing an Action Plan Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 11: Virtual Coaching Introduction Real-Time Coaching: Challenges of Scale Blended Offline and Online Coaching in Large Districts Benefits and Limitations of Virtual Coaching Virtual Spin on the Coaching Cycle Technology Toolbox for Virtual Coaching Staying Organized With Google Calendar Wrap Up Book Study Questions Chapter 12: Professional Learning Communities Introduction What Is a Professional Learning Community? The PLC Process Organizing the Teacher Teams Within a PLC Wrap Up Book Study Questions References Index

"Excellent resource that includes tools one can use when implementing a blended learning model. It clearly explains the role of a blended learning coach when it comes to professional development. Tucker emphasizes the opportunity to improve one's practice through coaching and a Professional Learning Community." -- Craig Yen, 5th Grade Teacher "There is an urgent need to empower and support teachers through the implementation of digital tools and blended instructional models. In Power Up Blended Learning, Catlin provides instructional leaders and coaches with the essential roadmap to develop internal structures of support within their schools. The time for teacher transformation is now, and this is the book to lead it!" -- Tiffany Wycoff, Co-Author of Blended Learning in Action "Technology can be transformative, but teachers need support to ensure technology is actually improving instruction. Catlin Tucker provides a clear vision for building a professional learning infrastructure to support teachers as they shift to blended learning and use technology thoughtfully and strategically. If school districts are not dedicated to helping teachers continue to learn and experiment, schools will remain out of step with the changes happening beyond the classroom." -- Alice Keeler, Math Teacher, Google Certified Innovator, and Microsoft Innovative Educator "Catlin has provided a critical 'spark' in the blended learning conversation, shifting the focus from technology to culture transformation through ongoing teacher PD and support. As she has in her previous books, Catlin continues to offer practical strategies for high-fidelity implementation of blended practices, this time gifting instructional leaders with essential tools for guiding their professional learning communities." -- Jason Green, Co-Author of Blended Learning in Action "In Power Up Blended Learning: A Professional Learning Infrastructure to Support Sustainable Change, author Catlin Tucker succinctly presents multiple options for blended learning professional development with a focus on coaching. Through the coaching lens, Tucker offers a clear explanation of the 'what,' a compelling rationale for the 'why,' and tangible guidelines for the 'how' of professional learning for blended learning. This book is an extremely valuable resource for any person or organization looking to grow their individual or collective capacity and implement blended learning successfully." -- Lisa Westman, Speaker, Consultant and Author of Student-Driven Differentiation: 8 Steps to Harmonize Learning in the Classroom "Throughout this book, I found myself (as both a middle school teacher and as an instructional coach) saying, 'Yes!' My copy is peppered already with stars in the margins and graphics circled for future reflection. Power Up Blended Learning is not just for those who are coaching teachers. It's also for teachers looking for strategies in how to coach students. After all, giving engaging feedback that 'sticks' is a responsibility that every educator has, and sharing engaging strategies and tools is a skill that is continuously evolving. This is an up-to-date and forward-thinking resource for both teachers and coaches." -- Heather Wolpert-Gawron, 8th Grade Teacher * San Gabriel, CA *