Changes in Practice- Lifelong Learning

WOW! Nearly there. The last 32 weeks have been a roller coaster ride, from sheer terror to moments of delight.  Juggling a full on career, with family and introducing study.  I have loved sharing parts of the learning journey with my students, reminding them we are all lifelong learners.  My students have definitely supported me and taught me some of the digital components of the course.

Mind Lab, as well as my supportive seven other staff members on my intake from our school have given me the confidence and skills to become more of a 21^st Century educator.  “We know that learning is most effective when people become personally engaged in the learning process, and engagement is most likely to take place when there is a need to learn.” (Osterman and Kottkamp 1993) The Mind Lab tasks were effective because we had to become totally engaged and put into practice what we had been learning about. The practical activities in the first 16 weeks, gave me the confidence to try them in my classroom.  I have always been passionate about ongoing professional development and upskilling, but had never thought about 32 weeks part time study.  Spending weeks collaborating with to others on a Literature Review around Growth mindset fits in with Criteria 4: Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of professional personal practice. We are sharing our learning at a staff meeting next term. My learning is not over and I will continue as long as I live.  I have been introduced to Google + as a professional development forum.

Throughout MindLab I have improved in Criteria 7: Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.  Learning about Growth Mindset has totally changed my way of teaching and has helped myself and my students understand the power of our brains.  Carol Dwerk (2014) and the power of yet is now used in our classroom and students add ‘yet’ to the end of sentences when they are learning a new skill or strategy. Learning about our students and having high expectations of them is crucial to having a supportive learning environment. Through Mind Lab I have become increasing more collaborative and digital in my approach to teaching and learning. This is an area I am interested in continuing to learn about and implement into my classroom programme.  

The end or just the beginning?

REFERENCES

                Dwerk, C. (2014, November). The Power of Believing that you can improve. Retrieved from TED TALKS.

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/RefPract/Osterman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf