Twelfth International Conference on e-Learning & Innovative Pedagogies

Abstract

Practice focused mentoring was initially developed four years ago at Open Access College (OAC) to support Early Career Teachers to successfully transition into the teaching profession and make the shift from Graduate to Proficient. Professional learning in mentoring and coaching was offered to allocated teacher leaders to build staff capacity in the development of skills required by a mentor to support improved teacher efficacy. The model has been recognised professionally by the Teachers’ Registration Board of SA and was praised in the OAC 2018 External School Review. The model to foster effective collaborative practice can be used in all teaching contexts. The workshop will briefly review some of the current research and examples of OAC school structures that have supported the implementation of practice focused mentoring. Participants will then use lesson observation tools to practice giving targeted feedback and consider how various strategies and tools can be used at different stages and in different contexts to support improved teaching.