Looking back on the 32 week journey (plus 2 more weeks because I’m always late getting assignments in!) I can see the changes that I have made through my practice and more importantly in my pedagogy. I began the course having taught in a 1:1 classroom for almost a year and was very excited by the opportunities this course gave me to connect with other like-minded, future focused educators. During the face to face sessions some of the most valuable time, for me, was the discussions we had with other teachers, from other schools, with different communities, yet who shared the same enthusiasm for learning and how we can make the most of opportunities for our students.
When looking back through the papers we have completed and the learning outcomes several jump out at me as ones that have struck a chord for a variety of reasons, some because they challenged me, some because it was something I was looking to find more about and others because they were aspects of the course I enjoyed.
From Leadership in Digital & Collaborative Learning
- Reflect on personal leadership attributes and styles within the context of leading innovation.
I found the leadership paper on the whole challenging, I hadn’t considered myself as a leader (beyond leading in my classroom) and changing this ingrained mindset took some doing! And yet I know look back and see the ways in which I do lead, the leadership styles I use and the know when I am called to lead I am more aware of how different leadership styles can be more beneficial to different tasks. I will choose the best style for the task at hand and it has enabled me to better reflect on the leadership that I do have as a colleague in my school.
From Digital & Collaborative Learning in Context
- Identify a potential digital and collaborative innovation and design an implementation plan that can be applied in a learning environment.
First of all, I loved the play element of this paper, the introduction to new ideas and ways of doing things which I could take back to school and implement immediately was hugely satisfactory to me. I was able to share things with other staff members and ignite some enthusiasm from some of the more reluctant staff members. This paper introduced me to flipped lessons and the assignments I did based around this concept (and the feedback I was given) helped me to understand how and where flipping can be successful. This has led to some flipped lessons occurring in my classroom. The kids love it! They enjoy being able to rewind their teacher, being able to go at their own pace, being able to share the learning with their families. It has been a huge success in my class. - Evaluate collaborative educational research and investigate its application in a digital environment.
Through evaluating collaborative research I was able to read and think about the collaborative aspect of learning in a digital environment. I know for myself that I have benefitted hugely from working collaboratively - be it assignments, note taking, or planning. Being able to work with others, not only online, but also to brainstorm and share ideas face to face produces much more. I am more motivated, I am better able to express my ideas, I achieve at a higher level through collaborating, so why wouldn't I want this for my students? Using GAFE in our classroom means we are easily able to collaborate on our learning tasks and when students collaborate the level of work they produce increases hugely.
Links to the Registered Teacher Criteria or Practising Teacher Criteria
Professional relationships and professional values
- Criteria 1: Establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of all ākonga.
One of my professional goals for this year and into next year is to build on my relationships with the whanau and community of my students. Through being involved in extra curricula activities this year I feel I have got to know the community better, however I now feel I need to focus on strengthening these relationships, especially ensuring they are learning focused. I would like to develop the use of my class blog as a space to update parents on the learning that is taking place in my classroom. I would also like the blog to become a two way means of communication, with whanau commenting on the blog too. - Criteria 4: Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of professional personal practice.
This course shows my commitment to ongoing professional learning and development, implementation of ideas gained through the course and through reading done as part of the course show my commitment to developing my personal practice. I look forward to continuing to grow and develop my personal practice through the connections I have made in this course, through the Facebook group, through the VLN that I joined whilst on this course and through twitter. One of my professional goals is to be more vocal in these online forums, to share more with others.
Professional knowledge in practice
- Criteria 7: Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
As part of our literacy programme blogging, and blog commenting at taught. Students regularly post new learning on their blog, and then other students have the opportunity to comment on this learning. Students also work collaboratively in a range of curriculum areas. Through writing, reading, maths and our concept learning students have opportunities to collaborate on their learning. I would like to develop this further with students collaborating with others from beyond our classroom, with other classes and perhaps eventually with students from other school.s - Criteria 8: Demonstrate in practice their knowledge and understanding of how ākonga learn. My students have a strong sense of agency over their learning. They understand where their learning needs come from, and work alongside me to develop goals for themselves. Students take control of their own learning, and through the use of flipped lessons, and kahn academy students are able to learn at their own pace and seek support where they need it. One of my goals is to continue to develop this student ownership and student agency in my classroom.
My main goal going on from this certificate is to continue to learn, grow and implement new ideas into my professional practice. To continue to build on the knowledge I have gained, and the skills I have learned. In the future I would like to take on a leadership role, helping school to develop their pedagogy, providing students with opportunities to become future focused learners.
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