Description

The academic coach is a professional who works in education field. The coach helps students to develop effective learning strategies or to become self–disciplined.

Coaching is a perfect metaphor for the relationship between the student and the coach, because the role of the coach is to help students to  improve their academic performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses. The coach suggests appropriate activities to improve performance, so similar to a coach or personal trainer hired for an athlete carrying on a training program.

Initial Consultation and Sessions

Initial consultations usually last around 45 minutes. In the first consultation with student, the coach will assess the current situation and recommend a work plan for success. This plan may include follow-up visits, referral for tutoring or other academic support services, in addition to achieve specific assignments designed to help students develop effective learning strategies and time management skills.

In follow-up sessions, the coach will monitor student progress during a given period (eg, the classes period) and work with the student on specific success strategies.

Possibilities for Academic Coaching

The program of an academic coach should not be confused with the work of other professionals. Depending on the situation, the coach may indicate the need for other professionals.

A Coach may:

•      Introduce students to skills and strategies they may need to become self–regulated learners.
•      Help students understand and use effective learning strategies.
•      Help students identify and overcome obstacles that may be hindering academic success.
•      Help students focus on individual goals and identify steps to achieve those goals.
•      Working with students to develop time management and organization.
•      Motivating students to take ownership of their own academic success.
•      Monitor student progress.
•      Refer students, when necessary, for other professional services, such as academic advising, personal counselling and career, tutoring, or other services.

The academic coach can be accompanied by mentoring and academic advising. Unlike the coach, the mentor has a deep knowledge associated with the discipline of student interest.

Academic coaches can help students of the first year university to use the curriculum effectively and can help students graduate, already working, managing their schedules to accommodate classes, internships, jobs, interviews and job fairs . Coaches help overcome obstacles that arise at any point in an academic career, stimulate positive, effective habits that lead to academic and career success.

 

Workshops

Academic coaches also present workshops for academic groups. You can choose one of the topics below, or can design a new workshop specifically suited to your group. The workshops can be held in  distance or in person. There are two ways of communication: synchronous, requiring all team to be available at the same time, or asynchronously, through a forum discussion including the possibility of creating and using videos.

Themes:

• Time Management
• Managing Freedom
• Goal Setting
• Establishment of Study Plan
• Motivation
• Focus and Concentration
• Techniques for reading complex texts
• Techniques for Academic Writing

My Experience 

You are invited to know more about my Experience or contact me.

PLAMOTEXANA  Model

I developed  Plamotexana model in 2014, from some international universities programmes.

It presents the main themes usually discussed  in Academic Coaching sessions.

Access Plamotexana Model here.