Week 32 - Changes in my Practice

Changes in my Practice

“You’re going to have a digital class next year - do you know how to teach in one of those?”  These were the words I heard at the end of 2015 that prompted me to look for ways to further my professional practice.  The Mind Lab looked like a fantastic option - 32 weeks, part-time study, some knowledge under my cap about e-learning and a Post Graduate Certificate at the end, perfect!  Wow - what challenge it has been!

I started the Mind Lab in March this year and it had been 11 years since I had done any formal papers or study.  I had loved University and studying full-time, so why would this be any different?  I hadn’t planned on the multitude of personal “happenings” through the duration of the course which instantly put me on the back foot.  I think that I have had an extension for every assignment and I was ready to walk away and pay back the scholarship halfway through.  If it wasn’t for a couple of amazing people that I met through the Mind Lab on Saturday mornings, I think that I would have.

The impact that this learning journey has had on me personally and professionally has been profound.  “Learning, they argue, is most effective when the learner is actively involved in the learning process, when it takes place as a collaborative rather than an isolated activity, and when it takes place in a context relevant to the learner” (Brown, Collins, & Duguid, 1989, 1989b; Prestine & Le Grand, 1991, cited in Osterman & Kottkamp, 1993, p.3).  I had underestimated the support of my husband and teenage son who many nights (or weeks!) walked the dogs, did the shopping, cooked, cleaned and ran the house while I completed assignments!  The leadership part of this journey had such an effect on me that I resigned from my job and found an amazing school to work in.  Not only do I feel like I have found my niche, I have renewed confidence in myself and ambitions to take a lead role in the school.  I don’t think that this would have happened without the Mind Lab journey challenging me.

Criteria 4: Fully registered teachers demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of personal professional practice

Guiding Question: How do I/can I utilise e-learning to further my professional learning and development?

The reason I started this journey was to further my knowledge and understanding on the use of digital and collaborative tools that could be used in a classroom.  I began the year teaching in a digital classroom and while I am not afraid of technology, my prior experience of teaching using it was limited.  I now understand how e-learning can be such an invaluable tool for learners and how it can be used in such a variety of ways.  My confidence has grown and this has allowed me to share what I have learned with others and helped them implement changes to their practice.  I am branching out by joining online educational networks, such as ILE and Collaborative Teaching where I can learn and share with others.

Criteria 7: Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment

Guiding Question: How do I promote a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that embraces e-learning and engages learners?

In my DCL 1 & 2 assignments I looked at improving communication and relationships with parents and families using a digital and collaborative learning innovation.  I implemented individual blogs where students could share their learning, comment on each other’s learning and include their whanau on their learning journey.  This was the first step in creating a collaborative and supportive learning environment.  The students really 0enjoyed sharing their learning and receiving feedback, which in turn continued to engage them.

While I am very excited at the thought of no more assignments to complete and having my weekends back, it is bitter sweet that the Mind Lab journey has come to an end.  My long-term plan is to complete my Masters Degree but it is not in my immediate future.  As life-long learner I intend to continue to apply my learning and grow from my experiences.  It has been a mind-blowing year and I am grateful to all the people who opened doors (and windows) to new possibilities and encouraged me to keep going.

References

Ministry of Education.  (n.d.).  Practising Teacher Criteria and e-learning.  Retrieved October 24, 2016, from http://elearning.tki.org.nz/Professiona-learning/Practising-Teacher-Criteria-an-e-learning

Osterman, K. & Kottkamp, R.  (1993).  Reflective Practice for Educations.  California, Corwin Press, Inc.  Retrieved on 7^th May, 2015 from http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/RefPract/Otersman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf