Week 32 Changes in my Practice.

Well what can I say? 32 weeks of PLD through Mindlab has been an eye opening experience. Back in 2016 when our cohort started, I was very reluctant to even start to say the least. Looking back it has opened my eyes, moving towards 21^st century skills and reflecting deeper into my practice. It has taught me that if you want the best for your students you need to apply yourself to ongoing PLD in order to keep up with the changes of the real world.

My first key change:

Criteria 6: Conceptualise, plan, and implement an appropriate learning program

While attending the Mindlab course this has helped me change my thinking to produce programs that not only demonstrates students’ knowledge and skills, but include 21^st Century learning. I have had fun trialing/ implementing new programs to support and encourage student learning. Personalized learning has developed more effectively and through this they have become more engaged in their learning. Introduction to learning of 21^st century skills has permitted me to seek advice and feedback from fellow colleagues and work more collaboratively in planning programs to support high learners.

Personalized learning is also intimately connected with utilizing advances in technology. Personalizing instruction for every student can be challenging, but technology provides educators with the flexibility to adapt to learners’ needs quickly. Technology also provides students real-time access to custom content and resources, thereby encouraging students to take ownership of their learning.Furthermore, many programs offer assistance with tasks such as assessment and grading, which allows teachers to spend more time with individual students. Technology thus allows for the individualization of engaging, effective learning experiences that are appropriately paced and tailored to fit with each student’s prior experience and interests. (Culatta,2012)

Second key change:

Practising teacher criteria 12: Use critical inquiry and problem-solving effectively in their professional practice.

Through the 32 weeks, I have been engaging with known and unknown members through attending the 16 week sessions and the other 16 online. Through this time I have been involved in professionally responding to others blogs and collaborating in my learning community.  Engaging in ongoing professional readings such as the literature and how it supports my practice, not to mention the changes I made as a result of the literature. At times it has also made me think about my own values and beliefs and how these impact on my teaching and the achievements of my students. Reflecting and evaluating aspects of my practice have allowed me to develop knowledge and skills for succeeding as Maori. This has impacted hugely throughout the course.

Reflecting on different approaches to teaching, and reshaping the understanding of past and current experiences, can lead to improvement in teaching practices.

Leitch, Ruth; Day, Christopher (March 2000). 

What is my next dream regarding Professional Development?

Honestly? Is to pick up what I have learned through this course and develop confidence in implementing new and innovative ways into my teaching through digital technologies. As the next generations move into a digital age of learning, as an educator I feel the need for ongoing PLD to move parallel with the ever so changing world. Thank you Mindlab. Watch this space!

Reference:

Culatta, R. “Personalizing Learning.” U.S. Department of Education. July 10, 2012. http://www.ed.gov/teaching/summerseminars

Leitch, Ruth; Day, Christopher (March 2000). "Action research and reflective practice: towards a holistic view". Educational Action Research. 8 (1): 179–193. doi:10.1080/09650790000200108. Retrieved 9 March 2017 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflective_practice