“Change is a process begun not by learning a new idea from an expert but by recognition that something is not exactly “right” in one’s own professional practice” (Osterman & Kottkamp, 1993). I began my Mindlab journey 32 weeks ago not because I was struggling, or felt that I didn’t know what I was doing, but rather because I knew that I could be doing more.
Registered teachers in New Zealand are required to “Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of professional personal practice”(Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, n.d.). While I was a part of regular professional development at my school I knew there was a world of new ideas, technologies, and strategies that couldn’t be covered in an hour and a quarter on a Tuesday afternoon. I knew that this was particularly true in regards to the use of technology/e-learning tools and in order to effect real change I needed to commit myself to an intensive overhaul of my practice.
My learning at the Mind Lab has opened my eyes to the world of possibilities in education. One aspect of the course I felt was invaluable was that not only were we given the e-learning tools to enable our students to create, connect and collaborate but that we also spent an equal amount of time learning about effective pedagogies to support the use of these tools. The fact that the assignments for the course were focussed on our classroom practice meant that we were challenged to incorporate these tools into our own programmes.
The amount of new information I was exposed to was exhausting, and at times I felt myself losing energy and motivation. However, throughout the course the fact that change is neither easy, nor instant was reiterated to us and this knowledge, along with the collaborative nature of our learning helped me to handle the workload. As Osterman and Kottkamp (1993) state “Reflective practice is a challenging, demanding, and often trying process that is most successful as a collaborative effort.”
The collaborative learning style I was exposed to at the Mindlab demonstrated the value of working on and discussing difficult tasks with others and collaboration became an area of interest for me. Consequently this has been the area of my practice that has undergone the most radical changes. This area of focus aligns with another component of the Practicing Teacher Criteria in New Zealand; the promotion of a “Collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment” (Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, n.d.) Through my assignments I have examined, trialled and established collaboration as the norm for students in my class. I have discovered how e-learning can transform collaboration. I have also formed stronger connections with my colleagues (we now teach collaboratively for half of the day) and learned how collaboration with fellow ‘Mindlabbers’, teachers and experts around the world can support my ongoing professional learning.
My teaching career will be temporarily put on hold next year as I take on my next big challenge…. parenthood! However, the Mindlab has left me hopeful about the future of education, and optimistic about the world that my son will grow up in. When I return to teaching I hope that I can continue to work on using technology to transform learning in my classroom, in particular I want to expand on my learning around collaboration by taking this concept outside the walls of my classroom and helping my students to form meaningful connections with other students, teachers and experts worldwide.
References:
Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. (n.d.). Practising Teacher Criteria. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from https://educationcouncil.org.nz/content/practising-teacher-criteria-0
Fullan, M., Cuttress, C., & Kilcher, A. (2005). Eight forces for leaders of change: Presence of the core concepts does not guarantee success, but their absence ensures failure. Journal of Staff Development, 26(4), 54–58.
Osterman, K. & Kottkamp, R.(1993) Reflective Practice for Educators. Retrieved on November 18, 2016 from http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/RefPract/Osterman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf.
Sarah, I totally agree with what you have written! I like you, feel that a major part of my journey has been in the collaborative efforts I have undertaken. I felt I had a light bulb moment when reading Osterman and Kottkamp as I suddenly realised why we had spent the past eight weeks blogging-duh!The collaboration I have experienced throughout this MindLab journey has encouraged me to use it more so in the classroom and to persist when things are not going the way I expect or hope they will go. Slowly yet surely my group of Year 5s are also realising the value of collaboration and that it can not be underestimated!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reflection Sarah! I like how you talk of wanting to be "more". I can totally relate to that. It sounds like you have fully embraced what you have learnt through Mind Lab and are the "more" that you were aiming for! Good luck on your parenting journey - your son is lucky to have you as Mama :-)
ReplyDeleteKia ora Sarah
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing wonderful insight.
Like you, I feel I might need a complete overhaul with regards to using e-learning /technology in the learning environment. I almost wish there was a Summer school basics class to learn some of the tools that were introduced in our classes in the first half of the year.
Like you, I gained the most value from recognition of the strength of collaborative teaching, learning, planning. I loove blogging! It's a cathartic release as much as a means to engage with others.
All the best for 2017. Thanks again, Cherie :)
Love your positivity Cherie! All the best for a change next year to full time parenthood. Hopefully in the first few weeks of your son's life you will have plenty of time for reflection, but just as you've experienced that the Mind Lab course has flown past, so will his first year, so cherish every moment. X
ReplyDeleteI so love your opening line, it's not the end, it's the beginning. I hope we all manage to hold onto the truth of this. I am excited about what we can achieve when we collaborate rather than co-operate. Collaborating with our students, experts in our communities, experts far away, our colleagues...will ensure we create a powerful learning environment now and in the future. Good luck with this new stage in your life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a fabulous mind lab experience Sarah. You always had a really insightful perspective on things and I loved that you dove right in to applying new things in your classroom right from the beginning. I totally agree with you that change is not quick or easy and I think this is what makes it manageable. Keep going on this journey as I think you're an amazing teacher and person. All the best with your son and being a mum. He is super fortunate to have you and all your wisdom as a mum and you'll be fantastic. Hope to see you again some time.
ReplyDelete