Discuss: Technical Assistance (TA)

Technical Assistance (TA)

"Technical Assistance (TA) " is right on target for a term I have been trying to select.
I am in the process of setting up a study with an early childhood educator. I plan to implement a training on and implementation of Creative Curriculum in a double session Head Start class room. I plan to train and then to provide "Technical Assistance (TA)" for the teacher and two aides throughout the year.
I had termed this training and "mentoring". I am pleased to see the term " Technical Assistance (TA)" and believe it more accurately describes what I plan to do.
I do agree with the purpose and definitions of "mentoring" given in this page. Based on this information I do not think my part in the study fits the term "mentoring".
I have scanned the other terms and do see one that fits my role much better.

I have been using TA for many years, although it hasn't always been referred to as TA. Basically, I have worked with teachers and classrooms to improve the level of instruction and the teaching environment. In just the past few years have I called it TA--simply because it was the term utilized by the agency that employs me. In the process, I share resources, strategies, and information to help the providers achieve the goals for enhancing the program.

Thanks Mary for sharing which term you found that better suited your approach. I had just asked you this question in response to the posting you made under mentoring.

Pam,

I 1st posted on the TA board, thinking it described my approach. Coaching my better describe the combination of training and TA we are planning.

My research question regards the effect of emergent literacy and language curriculum "coaching" (Head Start teacher and 2 aides) on the
(a)emergent literacy and language development of Head Start ELL(2 classes,double session enrollment: AM/PM)
(b)family participation in emergent literacy and language development
(c) use of literacy in the classroom environment.

I will provide Creative Curriculum training, thematic literacy units, and family literacy packs. We will include reflective activities for staff. I will model and be active in consultation.
Which term might best describe my approach? Coaching?

Mary

 
I had settled on training and technical support training on and implementation

Hi Mary, This discussion is very interesting in that there is so much overlap between how different people are defining the terms. This creates challenges when trying to implement and evaluate a specific approach. The idea of creating a grid with the different terms and critical features was suggested by Marilou Hyson in the discussion of one of the other terms. Do others have suggestions about where we might take this discussion? How as a field can we move towards consensus about definitions?

I always think of technical assistance related to implementation of something learned. In other words, after attending a training session on strategies to reduce challenging behavior, a TA provider would assist individuals as they implement the strategies. I wondered if this support for implementation showed up under one of the other terms, and didn't see it stated this explicitly. I believe that training without technical assistance is much less likely to result in implementation and fidelity.

Where do others see this process fitting?
Linda Brault

I always am fascinated where the words we use come from or how Webster defines-
So I looked up "Technical Assistance" There isn't a word (yet) as we use it in the field- its the combination of both words. "Technical" means "having to do with the practical or applied science of something or skilled in a specialized art, profession or science; the showing of a techniques or practice." Assistance is the "act of help giving, adding someone or to work with someone as a helper"
A goggle search of the word takes you to some major "technical assistance centers or projects in business, health and education. Looking over these sites you find in the descriptions of the centers common words like:
"provide information and resources, do training, provide support, share resources, build capacity, supply on-site experts" Many of the technical assistance centers or projects then talk about their area of expertise and how they can share that expertise with people.They talk about their methods for getting this expertise out there(the how they provide)Common things are needs assessment, on-line courses, advice and support groups, workshops, diagnostic studies,national conferences,webinars, newsletters website etc.
   What I don't see much of is the philosophies or principles of of the second word "assistance". If TA providers see their role as help-giving then it would be very important to understand all the wonderful research out there on effective helping practices and what motivates people to accept help. I think some of these practices are sometimes now included in adult learning strategies and the corresponding methods ie coaching ,mentoring, creating of learning communities, people teaching one-anther. But teaching and learning are only one piece of effective help-giving. The notion of help giving (Assistance - the second half of our word TA) and understanding helping might be and important variable into how well the TA we give (those methods above) are accepted by the person we think we are helping (TAing...) and if there will be positive or potentially even negative impacts into how it is received.
So there are methods of get our technical information about there (the T) and then there should be methods of providing the effective help (the A)!
     

Linda - we have also typically used the term TA in combination with training and as follow-up. We have been trying to move in that direction. Also in our state we have begun to think of TA as the overall concept of support provided, and that TA can also be conducted using some of the other approaches mentioned here (e.g., consultation, coaching). The definition we have constructed includesa collaborative, relationship-based model of assistance and support designed to:
• Identify, select, or design evidence-based solutions to address problems, needs or goals,
• Adopt or adapt knowledge to practice, and
• Effectively implement solutions customized to meet the needs of clients.