Reaching Rural Teachers: A Comparison Between Webcam and Face-to-Face Coaching

• In Event: 73.062 - Poster Session 17
  In Poster Session: 73.062-3 - Online/Mobile Learning: Tools, Strategies, and Mentorship

Abstract

The Targeted Reading Intervention (TRI) is an ongoing large-scale randomized clinical trial that evaluates TRI’s effectiveness in helping rural elementary teachers promote rapid reading gains for struggling readers. Teachers receive ongoing coaching to foster their use of the TRI. In years 1-2, teachers received face-to-face coaching while in years 3-5, teachers received coaching via remote webcam. In the current paper, we examine the association between method of coaching delivery and teacher and child outcomes. Findings revealed that webcam coaching was positively associated with teacher implementation of the TRI. Teachers with higher education levels who received webcam coaching were more likely to rate themselves as efficacious in the classroom. Limited findings positively associated webcam coaching with children’s literacy outcomes.

Authors

• Cheryl Varghese, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Mandy Bean, Dartmouth College

• Mary Bratsch, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Lynne Vernon-Feagans, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill