Wow! I am totally in awe (and disbelief) that I am writing my last Mindlab blog and I have reach the end of the Mindlab experience. What a roller coaster of a ride! There has been the highs, meeting such friendly and enthusiastic people to collaborate with, laughing like 'billeo' during some of the hands-on sessions, what fun we had learning!
I have experienced so many 'penny drop' moments, successfully completing the assignments, getting to observe positive changes in students behaviour when implementing an initiative that has resulted from doing this course, gaining an amazing understanding of digital technologies and collaboration in education...the list goes on and on.
The low's, feeling totally overwhelmed from the workload of studying and working full-time as a teacher....the workload, the workload, the workload....did I mention the workload? The family and social time that must have been sacrificed by all those who have completed this course. It was enormous but to come out the other end just feels utterly amazingly. I did it! We did it!
Completing the Mindlab course has been an amazing experience. At the start of the 32 weeks I didn't even know how to use an I-Pad and now I been introduced to and had experience of using so many new and different digital tools and technologies. I have trialed a few this year and I am excited to now have time to go back and revisit others with the intent on improving my learning programs further for the benefit of my school and students.
Doing the Mindlab course has also given me the confidence to try new things and not to worry if they don't work and to critical reflect on why and what I could do to change things around. I have loved having a safe haven on google plus to ask questions and share ideas and I do hope we are able to continue to collaborate and communicate on this platform. I have also had the confidence to share ideas and things I have learnt during the course with others at my school, with both staff and students, and look for more opportunities to collaborate and offer students more suitable learning environments.
I have learnt about stakeholders and how to consider them when planning and who's doing what with regards to leadership style and theories....and what not to do! I have reflected on what type of leader I want to be, (I love the idea of being a servant/distributive leader) and what kind of peer-learning environment I want to promote and be a part of. I have become professionally aware!
I have learnt the difference between Inquiry learning and Teaching as Inquiry and I understand the true meaning of 'Applied Practice' and my students, my colleagues and I have benefited from this style of study.
There have been many changes in my own practice over the duration of the course but the two that I have chosen to critically reflect on are Practising Teacher Criteria (PTC) in e-learning 1 and 9.
PTC1. Professional relationships - How do I/can I embrace e-learning to establish and develop working relationships with my ākonga, their whānau, and my colleagues to support the learning of those I teach?
My first DCL assignment was based on using a student run class blog to try to develop students communication skill. I was hoping that I would be able to encourage whanau engagement by having the students show what they had been doing in class and recording their progress. The students enjoyed keeping and writing the blog and it was a great way to keep evidence of their learning. However, I didn't quite manage to get the audience participation that I was hoping to achieve. I think with my next class I will try to make a connection with the parents of the students on the course. Maybe by sending out individual letters to try to connect to the families beforehand and encouraging them to comment on the blog more regularly.
PTC9. Response to cultural diversity -How does e-learning support me to respond effectively to the experiences, strengths, interests, and needs of individuals and groups of ākonga/learners?
Being from the UK I have always lacked the understanding and knowledge with regards to how to respond effectively to the diverse language and cultural diversity in New Zealand. Although I can observe that I am still lacking in this area of expertise during the course I was able to delve a little into this area and this has led me to having a little more understanding and awareness on why and how I can 'tailor' my learning programs that is more culturally diverse. At the start of the year, my year 13 class was just set up as a Unit Standard all learn say topic program. It became evident early on that this was not going to suit all learners. During discussions with the students we came to the discussion that the students would choose from a selection of individual unit standard and achievement standard modules, depending upon their strengths and interests. This had led to an amazing transformation where each lesson I spend individual time with students, discussing their progress and seeing how I could be of help to them. I am no longer a classroom teacher who teaches the same content to all class members but instead the tutor who checks in and helps each individual learner on their individual chosen pathway to success. It took a while to adjust and at the start it was rather manic, but the relationships that are forming and I know that students are developing the skills to manage themselves much quicker that when I teach as a whole group and they all had to learn the same thing at the same time. Being able to offer this type of learning environment would not of been possible without the use of digital technologies such as IPAD's and programs such as 365 and Google.
Where to from here?
I have applied for a TeachNZ study grant and I am hoping (and dreaming) that I will be able to complete a Masters Degree next year. I will find out in August if I have been successful. I am hoping to center my study around authentic learning programs and breaking down subject silos. I am looking forward to continuing my professional learning journey. I plan to continue building professional relationships with others, hopefully getting out and visiting other teachers and schools and getting more involved in other professional learning platforms. I also want to spend time reading and developing new ideas and tools that will benefit my students engagement, motivation and learning.
On a personal note, I want to show my family how much I appreciate the support they have given me whilst I have completed this course and lastly...I want to ride my horse!
Thank you to all those that have supported me at one time or another...and I would love to continue the friendships I have made from completing this Mindlab course so stay in touch :). Remember you are awesome and it is awesome to fail!
(Source: https://nz.pinterest.com/pin/555772410237479315/)
References
Osterman, K. & Kottkamp, R.(1993). Reflective Practice for Educators.California.Cornwin Press, Inc. Retrieved on 7th May, 2015 fromhttp://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/RefPract/Osterman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf
Ministry of Education (nd). Practising teacher Criteria and e-learning . Retrieved from http://elearning.tki.org.nz/Professional-learning/Registered-Teacher-Criteria-and-e-learning
Hi Alison What a sense of achievement. I appreciate your learning journey. Thank you for letting me be part of your learning community. I have thoroughly enjoyed your support and daily check ups to see how I am doing. This study has been exciting and a challenge for you and I both. Look how far we have come. We have both learnt a huge amount of skills and knowledge. I agree with the workload alongside the full time teaching load but hey we have done fine. I appreciate your comment in regards to building confidence to try new things and become more reflective. I am honoured to be part of your "safe haven on google plus" where we both have been able to ask questions and share ideas. You certainly have grown and built confidence to share your learning with me personally. Your motivation and encouragment is to be commended. Well done you for sharingd your learning others at your school, with both staff and students. You and I have both grown within our practice. Let us keep collaborating and growing. Look forward to your Week 33 blog! Cheers to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for you comment Joyce. It really has been an amazing experience and meeting other like minded people like yourself has been fantastic. I have really appreciated and enjoyed having a springboard to share ideas, reflections and to be able to offer and receive support from yourself and others during this journey. I am tempted to continue the blog...but we shall see!
DeleteHi Alison, Thanks for writing such an inspiring post. I loved reading your reflections on the course. I totally get your comment on Workload, workload and workload. I, too have had many highs but also some dreadful lows. Finally at the end, kind of feel sad but also relieved. ups to you for thanking your family... I too know that my family have suffered through this qualification. I have one more post to write, was dreading it until I read yours - as post Week 31 cost me at least 6 hours to write! I am inspired to do Week 32 now. Congratulations on your achievement. Continue your life long learning process and good luck for your Teach NZ study grant. Kind regards Amanda
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I think we should all be given ourselves a massive pat on the back. It is a demanding and time consuming course that required us to display the 'stickability' they we are trying to encourage in our students, we have become good role models for our students and should be very proud of our achievement. I hope you managed to finish your week 32 and please keep in touch, if I get the masters next year I would love to get around to as many different schools and see the amazing things that everyone has going on. all the best, Alison
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