Changes in Practice

Reflecting on my Journey

Wow! What a learning journey! My journey with Mindlab was I hoped to up-skill myself in the use of digital technologies - I have certainly done this.

In the beginning I felt overwhelmed and wondered if I had made the right decision doing the course. I was the only one from my school doing the course and at times felt quite isolated. In hindsight it would have been better if another teacher had done the course as well. 

Some weeks were more challenging than others. In the first 16 weeks of face to face I found I didn't always have enough time to digest everything I was learning. Over time I have revisited a number of sections and will continue to do this over the coming months, especially in the digital learning area. I always used the 2 week extension which was a godsend at times just taking the pressure off even if I didn't use it. I have made it to the end of this part of my learning journey and have found out some things about myself and my learning.

Criterion 4 Demonstrate commitment to ongoing  professional learning and development of professional personal practice.

 Being able to do Mindlab has certainly ensured that I have shown I am committed to ongoing learning and development. Through doing this course I have learnt so much that I have been able to share with my colleagues and then implement in the class. Being able to network with others face to face and then through blogs and G+ has been fantastic - sharing ideas and what is happening in other areas of NZ has been wonderful. It is good to know that others are facing some of the same challenges in their schools. 

I will continue to reread my notes and try to engage in meaningful dialogue with others in G+. I am going to try to continue to blog each month just to reflect on what I am doing and implementing in my class from my Mindlab learning. 

Criterion 8 Demonstrate in practice their knowledge and understanding of how akonga learn.

By engaging in research I have reflected on what I am doing in my class for my learners. I have talked with my colleague about some of the findings I found in my Mindlab research and we have changed and refined some of our practices within the classroom to help our learners.

 Our school is focusing on our students becoming Agentic learners - taking ownership for their own learning, self regulated learners, empowering them to have a voice, and using digital technology in all areas of the curriculum.It has been wonderful to revisit my Mindlab readings on learner agency and 21st Century skills to assist with what will work best for my learners at the moment and try new things in the class.

My dreams and goals

I have a new challenge ahead of me for next year. We are looking at Play Based Learning in our junior area of the school. I am going to use the 'skills' I have learnt in Mindlab for research to delve a little deeper into this. It is an exciting time but I am a little apprehensive about introducing this fully in our area. We have a lot of sound practices and routines that work and I'm not sure how PBL will work within this - certainly don't want to throw out what is working.

 As Osterman (1993) says 'new theories suggest different strategies that can then be tested through action. In short raising questions about practice begins a learning process that leads to behavioural change.'


 I need to proceed with an open mind.

References

Ministry of Education (nd). Practising teacher Criteria and e-learning . Retrieved from http://elearning.tki.org.nz/Professional-learning/

Osterman, K. & Kottkamp, R.(1993). Reflective Practice for Educators.California.Cornwin Press, Inc. Retrieved on 7th May, 2015 from http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files.