Activity 8: Changes in my practice

Being part of Mindlab Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice has been intensive, challenging and has supported me as a teacher to reflect and grow my practice over the 32 weeks.  
When I think back to the first 16 weeks on the course, it was hands on activities that I could directly apply into my practice.  Being from a small school I enjoyed working along other colleagues from a range of different school both primary and secondary.  Therefore, I developed working relationships with my colleagues that were doing Mindlab alongside me (Criterion 1 ) by supporting them as we leant together.  Collaborative relationship grew as we were consistently asked to explore and reflect throughout the modules.    From these conversations my networks grow further developing an academically research base for my professional learning.  If I think back to how the first 16 weeks changed my practice, it opened me eyes to what the possibilities are and how collaborative we could be.  Also, on the surface, it provided me a safe way (as others were trying) to experiment with new apps.  Developing networks in the first 16 weeks supported my learning for the rest of the course.  

Although, I found the second 16 weeks more challenging, it was great  as a leadership team to work alongside each other to develop our spiral of inquiry with a true research-based approach. Through this literature review and subsequent inquiry plan there were many moments I thought, ahhh haaa!  Despite, the sheer mass of readings,  the research deepened and broadening my understanding of self-efficacy and the effect this has on teaching and learning.  As a leadership team, we were able to develop a inquiry plan to support our teachers and learners  Criterion 6 .  In the second half of our course this year, we were able to select an area that sparked our interest, this meant that our research and inquiry plan were really relevant to our place and our needs.    I think being guided through my inquiry that was backed by research was challenging but focusing at the same time. I found it personally challenging in the last part of the course, posting my thoughts online.    Being an active member of forums and discussions is new to me, I was rather a lurker.  Reading and commenting on others blogs and being part of Google+ has meant I have stepped out of my comfort zone and see has opened my eyes to the potential for my own and my school’s professional development needs.  The online connection and aspects of this course (Criterion 4 ) grew my confidence to comment not just lurk in an online community.  

So now thinking about my next dream regarding future professional development.  I need to continue to stay connected with the pace of education and e-learning.  Also, I need to continue to seek a researched informed approach.  I need to be an active voice in forums and discussions.    I think the challenge in this is continuing to make the time to be a presence online, be a teacher and have a work-life balance.  

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

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