Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Qualities of Successful Academic Coaches

1. CRLA Conference  Friday, November 8, 2013 Presented by Lisa Johns, M.A., & Sapna Naik, M.Ed. Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Qualities of Successful Academic Coaches

2. About the presenters Lisa Johns, M.A. Director of Learning Assistance & Assessment Tomas Rivera Center The University of Texas at San Antonio Lisa.Johns@utsa.edu Sapna Naik, M.Ed. Doctoral student Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education Michigan State University naiksapn@msu.edu

3. Agenda • Context • Conceptual framework • Cognitive qualities • Non-cognitive qualities • Evaluating qualities • Building qualities • References and resources • What do you want from this presentation?

4. Context – UTSA & TRC

5. Context – Staff and students

6. Our assumptions • A quality academic coaching program depends on quality staff • Quality staff ensure accurate and consistent services • Coaches with the cognitive and non-cognitive qualities we will discuss allow us to give students quality support

7. Our interest in this topic • Staff turnover • Ineffective staff • High job expectations • Students needs are unmet and they do not return • Students spread the (negative) word • Faculty do not send students

8. Conceptual framework • Academic coaching is defined in terms of coaching and mentoring (Parlsoe & Leedham, 2009), in which a more experienced person helps a student learn skills rather than teaching content • Wlodkowski’s (2008) characteristics of a motivating instructor include expertise, empathy, enthusiasm, clarity, and cultural responsiveness

9. Conceptual framework, cont. • Dr. Page Smith’s (personal communication, November 30, 2012) factors for leadership, grounded in John Maxwell’s work are teachability, initiative, passion, courage, and encouragement • Vygotsky’ssocioconstructivist perspective (as cited in Wlodkowski, 2008) • Bandura’s self-efficacy work (as cited in Wlodkowski, 2008)

10. Cognitive & non-cognitive qualities • What do you think are some qualities of successful academic coaches?

11. Cognitive factors – undergrad • Knowledge of academic skills • Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI – Weinstein, Schulte, & Palmer, 2013) • Use in coaching undergraduate students • Covers three main areas: skill, will, and self-regulation • Includes scales on such strategies as informational process, test strategies, attitude, motivation, and time management

12. Cognitive factors – graduate • 4 Domains • Academic • Research • Writing • Professional Development

13. Non-cognitive factors • Based on previous research and Smith’s and Wlodkowski’s models already described

14. Non-cognitive factors

15. Teachability • Willingness to learn • Desire to learn • Asking questions • Prompting discussions • Applying newly learned knowledge • Incorporating new techniques (P. Smith, personal communication, November 30, 2012)

16. Encouragement and enthusiasm • Evident in those who show they care about material and students • Relay the ability to be genuine through appropriate support (P. Smith, personal communication, November 30, 2012)

17. Cultural responsiveness • Awareness and respect for students’ culture and diversity • Willingness to become educated about and show regard for students’ customs (Wlodkowski, 2008)

18. Self-efficacy • A “belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given achievements” (Bandura, as cited in Wlodkowski, 2008)

19. Empathy • Understanding students’ goals while being able to adapt and keep the students’ perspectives in mind (Wlodkowski, 2008)

20. Evaluating qualities • Application materials • Application • Resume • Cover letter • Writing sample • Interview • Questions • Presentation

21. Evaluating qualities, cont. • Examples • Give me an example of a problem you had in college or graduate school and how you solved it. (empathy, self-efficacy, cognitive skills) • Dr. Brosnan, a new faculty member, emails you asking for a presentation on American Sociological Association citation style, a topic we have never before been asked to present. What do you do? (cognitive skills, teachability, encouragement and enthusiasm) • Academic coaching is one of the duties included for this position. How would you assist a master’s student who is having a hard time getting through all their readings for class? What approach would you use with a first semester international student? (empathy, cognitive skills, cultural responsiveness)

22. Evaluating qualities, cont. • Look for • non-judgmental answers – empathy • problem-solving skills, research skills, critical thinking – cognitive • reaching out to experts and asking questions – teachability • displaying a genuine desire to learn about the position and the students we serve – encouragement and enthusiasm

23. Evaluating qualities, cont. • Interview • 1 Hour • “Round Robin” style • Written responses to “How do you describe your approach to student learning/development?” • 5-7 minute presentation on a topic relevant to the student population (Graduate or Undergraduate) • Questions from candidates are encouraged at the end of the meeting

24. Building qualities • Training • Knowledge • Skills development • Manual: http://utsa.edu/trcss/assistance/other_professionals.html • On-going professional development • Staff meetings • Conferences

25. Academic coaching manual • TRC Academic Coaching Manual • Welcome and Mission: The Tomás Rivera Center Learning Assistance program helps students at all levels of their academic career in achieving their educational goals through the acquisition and development of transferable skills. Learning Assistance meets students’ needs through a variety of services, such as academic coaching, workshops, thesis/dissertation groups, writing institutes, online resources, and outreach services. The Learning Assistance program supports the TRC mission to put students first.

26. Academic coaching manual • Chapter 1: What is Academic Coaching? • Chapter 2: Guiding Theories • Chapter 3: Populations Served • Chapter 4: Study Skills • Chapter 5: Research and Writing Concerns • Chapter 6: Troubleshooting • Chapter 7: Forms • Chapter 8: Campus Resource Directory

27. References Parsloe, E., & Leedham, M. (2009). Coaching and mentoring: Practical conversations to improve learning (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page. Weinstein, C. E., Schulte, A. C., & Palmer, D. R. (2013). LASSI (Learning and study strategies inventory). Retrieved from http://www.hhpublishing.com/_assessments/LASSI Wlodkowski, R. J. (2008). Enhancing adult motivation to learn: A comprehensive guide for teaching all adults (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

28. Thank you! Questions? Lisa Johns – lisa.johns@utsa.edu Sapna Naik – naiksapn@msu.edu