Action Steps for Goals, Peer Observation!

Today marks the release of a dozen or so feature improvements, updates, and general bug fixes to TeachBoost, most of which are outlined below. Notable updates include a brand new goals page, the ability for teachers to complete forms, and fine tune control over how teachers interact with each form template.

Action Steps, More Evidence for Goals

Setting a goal is important, but it goes beyond identifying a need and digging in to accomplish the goal. TeachBoost Goals now include Action Steps, which allow teachers and administrators to plan specific action items to accomplish the respective goal.

TeachBoost Goal pages now include a more robust and streamlined place for teacher evidence. As before, every time an observation touches upon the goal it will be included as goal evidence. In addition, any discussion about the observation will appear in-line, along with the observation evidence related to the goal (click 'Ratings' to view).

Teachers can now start forms!

In addition to setting goals and viewing observations, teachers can now start any type of form that administrators choose. To enable this feature, follow the two steps below:

1. Navigate to the Settings page and turn on the last setting, as shown below.

2. Also on the Settings page, find the "Manage Forms" button. Click on the form that you want teachers to be able to start, and turn on the respective setting. More on this page below.

With this feature available to teachers, the opportunities are numerous. A few quick and easy ways to get teachers more involved: Pre and Post observation forms, self reflection, peer observation, logging professional development, etc. Use the Form Creator to add as many templates as you'd like! Feel free to contact us (help@teachboost.com) to get some help with the form creator.

Decide the Format Teachers See for Individual Templates

Over the past few months, we've realized that not all templates are built the same. Some are more formal in nature and require a Letter for File, whereas some (like checklists) are more informal can be given to the recipient immediately when the form is completed. The form settings page allows you to choose whether teachers view a letter or view ratings and comments, as well as determine whether they can start that type of form. By default, these settings will match those that you set on the overall Teacher Access Settings (Settings -> Teacher Access near the bottom).

Other Updates/Improvements

• You can now invite others to TeachBoost using the button at the top of the screen.
• A hint has been added for iPad users to add TeachBoost to your home screen. Video Tutorial
• Change your initials as they appear on the Calendar. If you have administrators with duplicate initials, this fix is for you!
• When you schedule observations, you can now add multiple teachers.
• The number of goals is now present in the "Teachers" list.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed: School logo upload wasn't working for some formats.
• Fixed: Internet Explorer 8 'Help Tour' issues fixed.
• Fixed: Internet Explorer users experience frequent * popups during actions on the letter editor.
• Fixed: Observation count on teacher goal cards sometimes incorrect.

Invite Your District, Network, or Colleages to Try TeachBoost

Send your colleagues the link below. If you share that, also share your t-shirt size with jason@teachboost.com ;)