If you are an instructional coach, you probably have a huge binder of coaching forms and data you keep for your campus and on your teachers. I love a good, sassy, chic looking coaching binder! It's something about flipping through your cute tabs of teachers, data, student evidence and professional development that creates an energy within ourselves as professionals. But lets face it....Google is taking over! Technology is always and forever evolving. So I'm trying to evolve with the current times we live in.
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As an assistant principal, I've made the switch to trying to go digital. Right now I am very much in-between continuing to keep a binder and keeping my files digital in my Google Drive. I currently maintain a principal's binder full of ALL things campus life! Many of the forms I've included in my principal's binder are the exact same forms I used as an instructional coach, except for a few extra administrator tools, sections and tabs. (Be on the lookout for my Principal Binder coming soon!) I just can't get enough of using my instructional coaching tools as an Instructional Leader.
When I first launched my printable Instructional Coaching Tools & Forms in 2015, they were a huge hit. Over the years, I cannot tell you how many online requests and emails that I've received asking me to convert my famous Instructional Coaching Tools, into a more digital and editable version. Well, I'm so excited to finally launch my instructional coaching tools for your Google Drive.
Keeping your coaching binder in your Google Drive has some pretty awesome advantages. For starters, you can access your online Google Binder from anywhere!! This is the biggest payoff. As an assistant principal I am extremely mobile around the building. I usually carry around my Ipad for ease when roaming the building, or attending meetings at another campus, or even at home. My online binder is always easily accessible in my Google Drive. I don't have to worry about carrying around my bulky binder, which is one less thing to worry about. It is much more convenient to hop online to any computer or my Ipad and access my online binder in Google.
It is also easier and faster to search up information within my online binder. My Google Drive will alphabetize all of my folders within my binder and I can even color code them if I choose to. This is a tremendous help since I am an organization junkie. I can search for a teacher or data quickly. If I need to share information with others within my district or school, Google drive makes this simple and easy to do with their share buttons. No more scanning a copy to email! This makes life so much simpler and more efficient.
I want to make sure I'm clear that I still keep a printed Instructional Coaching Binder in my office. I just can't help it, I love having one. I enjoy working with the printed documents, especially when I need to do side-by-side comparisons or when collaborating with a coworker. There are times when I need to pull things out of my binder and spread them out to work and utilize for big projects or presentations. When I attend workshops, administrator meetings, or receive handouts I always add them to my printed binder. Also, if there is an internet issue in the building I still have my binder that I can access if the network is down. Life Saver!
I honestly can't see myself without both options. I believe it depends on your comfort level and preference on whether you are all in with digital or plan to stick with the printed binder. They both serve the same purpose which is keeping you organized in providing purposeful instructional leadership.