Episodes

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff welcomes Tech Coaches Susan Vincentz and Claudio Zavala Jr to discuss the role of the Tech Coach at professional development conferences, the creation and implementation of online learning modules, and our favorite Chrome Extensions. In this episode, we discuss: Tech Coaching at a Professional Development Conference What topics do Tech Coaches look for? What topics should Tech Coaches be teaching? Keeping Professional Development alive in the di...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss several things a Tech Coach should do when creating online courses and self-paced learning modules. In this episode, we discuss: Six Steps You Need To Take to Create a Successful Online Learning Experience For Your Teachers Step 1: Identify Learning ObjectivesDirectly or indirectly correlate to District Goals, Building Goals, and Initiatives. Content vs. Skills What vs How PD How will learning objectives be assessed? Step 2: D...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss their favorite Chrome Extensions that every Tech Coach should have in their back pocket when working with teachers. In this episode, we discuss: 5 Chrome Extensions Every Tech Coach Should Know About Grammarly Grammarly is a powerful extension that tracks your writing online while giving you quality spelling, and grammar feedback. Grammarly also sends you a weekly progress chart letting you know how you stack against other Gramma...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick look back on a fantastic trip to the FETC Conference. Later in the episode, we sit down for a conversation with Sam Brooks and Lance Key to discuss how their school district is personalizing learning in their school district. Join the TeacherCast Instructional Coaches Network! Are you a Tech Coach or looking to become one this year? Are you searching for support in your position? The TeacherCast Instructional Coaches Network, is a dynamic...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick welcome Educoach cofounder Shira Leibowitz and Tech Coach Kitty Tripp onto the podcast to help us learn how to create a culture of professional learning in our school districts. In this episode, we discuss: Creating a Culture of Change in your School District How do you help create and shape a culture when you are not in a position of power?Yes! This is where most of us are and even when I was a director, I still had do several things to ...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss 4 ways to empower your teachers in the classroom by simply stepping back and removing yourself from the coaching equation. In this episode, we discuss: 4 ways to STOP doing things for your teachers Have a plan and create a goal Be transparent Put THEM in the driver's seat Just stop doing things! Join the TeacherCast Instructional Coaches Network! Are you a Tech Coach or looking to become one this year? Are you searching for s...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss why it’s important for Tech Coaches to create systems for their various duties throughout the day that will help them do things just a bit faster. In this episode, we discuss: How Can We Create Systems for our Tech Coaching? What is a “System”? A way to document how something is done A tool that can be used to help you stay organized An opportunity to stay consistent Why are Systems Important? Systems keep tech coaches moving...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss the importance of not only identifying what school districts want their student and staff cultures to be but how to set up a successful roadmap to help everyone achieve their goals each year. In this episode, we discuss: Can you Shift the Culture of your School District? Identifying school goals Strategic Plan (District Level) EdTech Integration Plan (Curricular Level) Tech Plan (Technology Level) Community Involvement (Townsh...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick bring in the new year by discussing the extremely important, EdTech Integration Plan. We all have heard of a Tech Integration Plan, but today we take a look at the other document that describes and discusses not only what will be happening with the technology once purchased, but how it will be used in the school district. If you are in a school district and are interested in creating your own EdTech Integration Plan, please contact us today...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick are joined by Tech Coaches Kerry Gallagher, Sadie Lewis, and Claudio Zavala Jr to recap the year that was 2018 and look ahead to the new year by sharing their edtech tips, tricks, and app requests for 2019. In this episode, we discuss: 3 Apps You Want For The New Year Google Keep Create Collaborative Tasks and Lists Take Photos / Drawings and add them to other Google Apps quickly Voice Memo’s on Mobile Devices Sync with Desktop More v...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss the upcoming holiday season and share their list of 5 Important Things Tech Coaches can be doing during the holiday season. In this episode, we discuss: Keeping Organized During the Holiday Downtime How should we support our teachers during the busy holiday season?Help them create engaging experiences for their students Help them in planning and preparation for when they return Prepping for evals? Is PD important in December? ...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick welcome members of the Tech Coach Mastermind to discuss why it's important for Coaches to have a solid support system with other Coaches. In this episode, we discuss: Defining and Redefining the Tech Coach Position What does a Tech Coach do?A leader A Guide Someone who supports learning What is a Tech Coach responsible for? What are the “non-job description things” that a tech coach does? The Struggles of Coaching both Teachers and A...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick dissect the dreaded “multi-hour workshop presentation” and provide key tips, tricks, and strategies for your next large conference workshop presentation or school based professional development day. How to Prepare for a Multi-Hour Workshop How to conceptualize a multi-hour presentation vs a standard hour presentation School workshops vs conference workshops Audience expectations Lecture vs Workshop How much should you talk and how much...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” we host our November Tech Coach RoundTable where we bring on other Tech Coaches to discuss recent topics from our podcast. In this episode, we discuss: What Makes a Great Presentation Topic? Add Talking Points Here Try and make the connections between what you are teaching and district goals. It helps teachers not feel overwhelmed. Choosing the Title and Description based on audience and presentation location How to Become the Leader of Leaders in y...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss different types of coaching styles and how a new Tech Coach can find his/her own voice within the position. In this episode, we discuss: How can a Tech Coach find his/her own style and voice within the position? A Presenter-centered Approach Good for absorbing information and getting the “nitty-gritty” out of the way. How much lecture is too much lecture? When is the best time to do it during a workshop? You are always a prese...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss how Tech Coaches can impress not just one teacher but a faculty by choosing and pulling off the perfect faculty meeting presentation. In this episode, we discuss: 3 Things that Make a Memorable Presentation Well Organized … Well Prepared … Well Thought out Have a Great Plan A but always have a plan B Always check your dongles Never rely on Technology Be prepared to lecture if needed Know your audience Audience Participation ...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss the many hats that a Tech Coach wears during the day. It’s always important to remember that as a Tech Coach you represent not just the teaching staff, but the administrative direction of district policy as well. In this episode, we discuss: What do you do when your teachers … don’t get it What if you say the wrong thing in the heat of the moment? How do you recover from an unprofessional comment? What do you do if you accidenta...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss several strategies for working with teachers of all grade levels, subject levels, and most important, skill levels. It’s easy to create one type of professional development session, but what happens when you are working with a group and a teacher is struggling to understand certain concepts. In today's podcast, we provide helpful tips and tricks for getting everyone on the same page quickly while making sure that all material is cov...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick welcome a roundtable of Tech Coaches onto the podcast to discuss the most important topics facing Tech Integration Coaches today! This Weeks Topics: Tech Coach Websites Examples of Tech Coach Websites http://www.joshchoward.com/ <–Rockstar https://sadiecreates.com/ <–That’s mine, whatever 🙂 https://teachingforward.net/ – Jenn’s website http://www.schrockguide.net/ – Kathy Schrock’s guide Fennovation.org – Christy Fennewald What makes...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss several strategies for working with staff members to provide the best professional development possible. What are the best ways to provide professional development? Face to Face (1:1) Working with teachers privately Classrooms Hallways School Meeting Rooms Tech Coach office Face to Face (1: Group) Lunch and Learns After School vs During School Hands-on / Guided vs Lecture-based Small Group vs Large Group Presentations Vid...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick share secrets about what makes a fantastic and usable Tech Coach website. With so many options, both paid and free, available, it’s easy to spend a ton of time creating a digital hub that nobody uses or wants. The secret to any website is to make great content and make sure that your users have it available to them BEFORE they know that they want or need it. In today's podcast, we take a look at websites from the perspective of both the Tec...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick take a look at several things a Tech Coach can do to create positive relationships with their teachers, administrators, and support staff members. How To Create a Great 1:1 Relationship with Your Staff Members Having empathy for staff members while getting your job done Don’t take everything personally. Always ask them how they are doing. It’s about them getting their job done … not about you getting your job done. The importance of wal...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick discuss our latest post “The Great Learning Management System Debate” and share several ways that Tech Coaches can assist their school districts in creating a digital learning environment in all classrooms. In this episode, we discuss: Tech Coaching with Learning Management Systems What does a Digital Classroom look like? How do you share your vision of a Digital Classroom with your admin to start driving a digital culture in your buildin...

In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff and Nick take a look at faculty and department meetings and discuss several solutions for choosing the best topic that will help to set up a great year of working with teachers and students. The art of School District Professional Development Weekday vs Weekend PD Sessions How to choose the best topic Tech Coach Choice Picking something you are passionate about to instill excitement. Build off of teacher wants/needs. Administration Choice Con...