Titiro whakamuri, kokiri whakamua – Look back and reflect, so you can move forward Whakatauki – Mind lab – Week 32
Reflecting on my personal 32 week learning journey...
The Mind Lab journey begins and I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I suppose I wanted to explore digital, leadership and collaborative practices to help support my teaching. I reckon this course has certainly done that, so much so, that I plan to continue learning even after this course is done. I knew some stuff before Mind Lab, but doing this has opened up a whole lot of new learnings for me, things that I would never had explored had I not been a part of this. I find now that the research I do, allows me to explore further. I am fascinated with anything new, unexplained and look to find out more. My head is filled with places to go and things to search out. Ostermann & Kottkamp (1993) state that an increased awareness creates opportunities for professional growth and development. This has been very true. I have confidence now to explore 21st century approaches and resources. Having to digest, research, implement and practice everything in 32 weeks doesn’t seem long enough, but perhaps just enough to at least look at key areas that could be used in my current practice. It has certainly been food for thought, and despite the stresses of work, study, tears, late nights and life in general, the 32 weeks has been well worth it.
So what have been the biggies for me?
Research – This is big business. The investigation of stuff. Not just the reading but the unpacking of the reading, the establishing of facts and the evidence that has been collected and realising that it all makes sense, although sometimes not.
People – realising that we, as teachers, are here for the same reasons. Willingness to share, to collaborate, to teach, to talk about issues, discuss, laugh, stress and so much more. Even though it has at times seemed a lonely road (for me), the blog thing has been enlightening, and all the clever things that teachers do have been awesome to read and follow. Lurking, reading, responding, participating and contributing – it has all been great fun and something I feel much happier being a part of!
Key changes (focus) in my own research informed practice in relation to the Practising Teacher Criteria (PTC) in e-learning.
I include the three criteria listed below as my focus in my Professional and Teaching practice moving forward. The area of well-being of akonga and responding effectively to the diverse and cultural experiences of individuals and akonga, are very dear to me and an aspect of my practice that I will enhance. As a middle leader I look forward to contributing to our school’s Professional environment and sharing my learnings from this course and teaching experiences, with all staff at SMC.
- Criterion 2 : Demonstrate commitment to promoting the well-being of ākonga.
- Criterion 5 : Show leadership that contributes to effective teaching and learning. Professional knowledge in practice
- Criterion 9 : Respond effectively to the diverse and cultural experiences and the varied strengths, interests, and needs of individuals and groups of ākonga
So where to from here?
I will be on a cultural responsiveness journey from November, and since it’s fairly new in our school, it will definitely be an adventure. I plan to persevere with Year 8 – 150 of them in 2018, with a redesigned learning environment, a more digital friendly programme of learning and interdisciplinary connections with their homeroom teachers and topics in Social Studies, as well as crossing boundaries with Science & Business studies with my Food Technology students.
In doing this I believe that from the Standards for the Teaching Profession, that meeting Professional Learning, Learning focussed Culture, and Teaching will be attained (among other things).
Thank you Mind Lab.
Kia manuia
References
Osterman, K. F., & Kottkamp, R. B. (1993). Reflective Practice for Educators Improving Schooling Through Professional Development Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data, 3711(78). Retrieved from http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/RefPract/Osterman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf