Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Take Blended Learning to the Next Level by Building an Effective Professional Learning Community! Technology is permeating classrooms and offering teachers and students opportunities to reimagine teaching and learning. Many schools and districts are shifting from traditional teacher-led instruction to blended learning with the goal of placing students at the center of learning. It's time to power up your approach to professional learning to ensure teachers feel inspired and supported as they make this shift and embrace technology. This book provides an effective and actionable framework for school leaders looking to implement a long-term professional learning plan that extends professional development beyond a handful of days each year to create "coaching culture" that supports teachers as they move toward blended learning. Blended Learning expert Catlin Tucker provides a clear path for professional learning that is embedded in the school's culture, blending targeted training (the "spark"), 1:1 coaching, and professional learning communities. This comprehensive approach to professional learning ensures that teachers in a blended environment work continually to improve learning outcomes for students, stay up-to-date on current technology, and learn with their colleagues. This text is full of concrete resources and strategies for leaders and blended learning coaches. It includes

This book provides the tools and tips you'll need to support teachers as they move toward blended learning. From articulating the why behind a shift to blended learning, to creating and implementing an actionable roadmap for building a professional learning infrastructure, this must-have resource will take your PD plans to the next level!

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. xi)
• Acknowledgements (p. xv)
• About the Author (p. xvii)
• Chapter 1 Articulate the WHY
• Introduction (p. 1)
• WHY Blended Learning? (p. 2)
• Getting Teachers On Board With the WHY (p. 5)
• The HOW: Best Practices (p. 7)
• The WHAT: Branding the Shift to Blended Learning (p. 9)
• Eight Ways to Strengthen Your School Community (p. 11)
• Book Study Questions (p. 15)
• Chapter 2 A Roadmap for Building a Professional Learning Infrastructure (p. 17)
• Introduction (p. 17)
• Blended Learning Demands a New Approach to Professional Learning (p. 18)
• Professional Development: Defining the Scope (p. 19)
• The Spark: On-Site Targeted Training Led by an Expert (p. 22)
• One-on-One Coaching (p. 23)
• Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) (p. 24)
• Wrap Up (p. 26)
• Book Study Questions (p. 27)
• Chapter 3 Blended Learning Requires Effective Professional Development (p. 29)
• Introduction (p. 29)
• Traditional Professional Development Is Largely Ineffective (p. 30)
• Elements of Effective Professional Development (p. 31)
• Leaders Must Lean In (p. 40)
• Wrap Up (p. 41)
• Book Study Questions (p. 42)
• Chapter 4 The Blended Learning Coach (p. 43)
• Introduction (p. 43)
• Coaching in a Blended Learning Context (p. 44)
• Elements of Effective Coaching (p. 45)
• Blended Learning Coaches Continue the Learning (p. 47)
• Redefining Teacher and Student Roles in a Blended Learning Environment (p. 48)
• A Quick Review of Blended Learning Models (p. 49)
• Blended Learning: Establish a Clear Plan (p. 52)
• Challenges Facing the Creation of a Coaching Culture (p. 52)
• Wrap Up (p. 55)
• Book Study Questions (p. 56)
• Chapter 5 Coaching: Initial Conversation and Goal Setting (p. 57)
• Introduction (p. 57)
• The Power of Dialogic Interviews (p. 58)
• SMART Goal Setting (p. 60)
• Wrap Up (p. 66)
• Book Study Questions (p. 66)
• Chapter 6 Coaching: Initial Observation and Debrief (p. 67)
• Introduction (p. 67)
• Coaching Must Be a Partnership (p. 68)
• What's the Goal of the Initial Observation? (p. 70)
• Communicating With Students (p. 73)
• The Debrief (p. 74)
• Revisit SMART Goals (p. 76)
• Wrap Up (p. 76)
• Book Study Questions (p. 76)
• Chapter 7 Coaching: Co-lesson Planning (p. 79)
• Introduction (p. 79)
• Communicate With the Teacher Ahead of Time (p. 80)
• Meet Outside of the Classroom (p. 80)
• Identify the Goals (p. 81)
• Keep the Lesson Manageable: Think Big, but Start Small (p. 81)
• Provide Templates to Help Teachers Design Blended Lessons (p. 82)
• Don't Just Plan the Lesson, Create It (p. 84)
• Reflect on the Role of Technology in the Lesson (p. 85)
• Dealing With Details (p. 87)
• Wrap Up (p. 88)
• Book Study Questions (p. 89)
• Chapter 8 Coaching: Real-Time Coaching (p. 91)
• Introduction (p. 91)
• Pre-lesson Chat: Review Lesson and Establish Norms for Real-Time Coaching (p. 92)
• Real-Time Coaching: "Pause, Discuss, Adjust" (p. 94)
• Document the Parts of the Lesson (p. 96)
• Written Feedback Using a Blended Learning Rubric (p. 96)
• Wrap Up (p. 105)
• Book Study Questions (p. 105)
• Chapter 9 Coaching: Model Lessons and Co-teaching (p. 107)
• Introduction (p. 107)
• Designing and Teaching a Model Lesson (p. 108)
• Model Lesson Checklist (p. 109)
• Co-teaching (p. 113)
• Wrap Up (p. 116)
• Book Study Questions (p. 117)
• Chapter 10 Coaching: Documenting, Reflecting, and Revisiting (p. 119)
• Introduction (p. 119)
• Dedicating Time, Energy, and Space to Reflection (p. 120)
• Becoming a Reflective Practitioner (p. 121)
• Reflect Using Documentation (p. 124)
• Using Digital Tools to Reflect (p. 126)
• Revisit SMART Goals (p. 127)
• Next Steps: Developing an Action Plan (p. 128)
• Wrap Up (p. 129)
• Book Study Questions (p. 129)
• Chapter 11 Virtual Coaching (p. 131)
• Introduction (p. 131)
• Real-Time Coaching: Challenges of Scale (p. 132)
• Blended Offline and Online Coaching in Large Districts (p. 134)
• Benefits and Limitations of Virtual Coaching (p. 134)
• Virtual Spin on the Coaching Cycle (p. 135)
• Technology Toolbox for Virtual Coaching (p. 142)
• Staying Organized With Google Calendar (p. 142)
• Wrap Up (p. 143)
• Book Study Questions (p. 144)
• Chapter 12 Professional Learning Communities (p. 145)
• Introduction (p. 145)
• What Is a Professional Learning Community? (p. 146)
• The PLC Process (p. 147)
• Organizing the Teacher Teams Within a PLC (p. 154)
• Wrap Up (p. 155)
• Book Study Questions (p. 155)
• References (p. 157)
• Index (p. 161)