BAFLP (Bay Area Foreign Language Department) Stanford University
World language teachers in the Bay Area Foreign Language Program (BAFLP) in Stanford University used My eCoach to create a system for collaboration, communication, and demonstrated improved results in the classroom.

Problem
World language teachers in the Bay Area Foreign Language Program (BAFLP) needed a system that allowed for collaboration, coaching, publishing, and aligning standards to the curriculum. Stanford University provides ongoing workshops for World Language teachers in the summer and throughout the year. They needed an online site that supported on-site workshops that participants could follow-up and collaborate after the workshop.

Solution
Barbara was hired to coach Marcelo Leal in 2008 to design an ongoing coaching program and how to publish projects designed from templates specific to the BAFLP program. Marcelo then trained and coached twelve faculty and lead coaches who now manage the online community.

Results
There are have been 18 teams set up under BAFLP with 265 teachers from around the world. Now the twelve lead coaches are successful in setting up and managing the coaching process themselves. Teachers are collaborating on lessons and projects together. Students are using the projects successfully learning different languages and meeting the standards.

“My eCoach has been the ideal platform for many of our goals at the Bay Area Foreign Language Program. We use it to share our materials, announcements, and calendars, and the participants in our professional development programs have the opportunity to communicate and share with their colleagues across the Bay Area. This is a wonderful way of developing and supporting our professional learning community.”

Sally Mearns, BAFLP Director, Stanford University smearns@stanford.edu

Project Examples:

References & Resources for the Foreign Language Teacher
Class Management
Latino Parent Empowerment Meetings
Migrant Ed Program at Oak Grove High School
Chatting and Podcasting: Getting Language Students to TALK!