Week 32: Changes in Practice
So this time has come to look back and reflect on the 32 Weeks of Mind Lab classes. I can not believe that I have made it to the end. This quote resonates with me because during these whole 32 weeks I have encountered struggles but I never gave up I kept going. I am a full time single mum, travel 4 hours a day to get to my teaching job and onto of that I was also studying for my post grad through the Mind Lab. It actually brings tears to my eyes thinking that through all that, I have finally finished it all. This will be my last blog entry for the Mind Lab post grad course but in terms of my reflective practice as a teacher, that is ongoing. I honestly don't think I would have made it on my own. I feel that this course if it did not have the collaboration aspect to it I think I would have drowned. My friends from the mindlab course have def. been my life jacket, they have kept me afloat and have encouraged me as well as inspired me to be a better me. Onto of that I also have the Heavenly father, who has heard my prayers in times of struggles as well as tears and reminded me that I am strong and that I should not give up and just keep going.
SO....Where to begin.
To start of with I have gained a great wealth on knowledge in a range of different contexts. I had already come from a digital school so I was quite used to using different apps and devices in my class. But in terms of leadership, I feel this has def. benefited me. I have grown in my leadership skills. It also let me embrace my own leadership style. Firstly, the new School that I am am was not as digital as my previous school, so with this new School I learnt to take it in my own hands and approach Management and try and implement a plan so that this School to become more 21st century and become a google School.
I also learnt a lot about robotics and the programme Scratch. At first this was very challenging for myself but I preserved and kept at it and I am looking forward to implementing this programme into my classroom.
I believe that for us to be successful teachers we need to embrace change as we are living in a fast moving world. Our children are growing up in a world that has a lot of technology so we need to also be able to connect with them in terms of understanding how to use the technology.
Criteria 4: Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development of professional personal practice
Criteria 5: Show leadership that contributes to effective teaching and learning. Professional knowledge in practice
In terms of this Criteria I have grown in my leadership and become part of the IT Team at my School who established the use of google drive. I have taken professional development staff meetings where I have introduced staff to the use of google drive and the google apps as well as the transition from using the school server to google drive. I have established great relationships with other teachers as well as management who have encouraged me in this new light as well as motivated me in my new leadership role.
In terms of my class going fully digital this is a work in progress. I have set my class up with emails and am looking to hopefully see if we can get more netbooks so that I am able to implement more digital tools into my new year 3-4 class.
I have really enjoyed this course and have made a great range of teachers and friends. It has been great being able to connect with them through social media such as google+ as well as twitter and facebook.
I enjoyed reading your reflection. I also feel pleased to finally be finished. It took me a lot longer than initially planned as I was overseas for 6 weeks so had to come back and finish off. As hard as it was I too am pleased I never gave up despite contemplating it on many occasions. It is true; the bigger the struggle the bigger the sense of achievement.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection reminded me of all the things that I have also learnt from the Mindlab course but I forgot about when I wrote
my reflection. In particular the successful and less successful leadership styles evident in our school and what my leadership style is. I also incorporated the use of Google Docs, Google slides, Google Classroom in my Year 4&5 BYOD class. You are correct in saying that as teachers our reflective practice will continue to be ongoing because it will.
Thank you for incorporating the RTC 4 & 5 in your reflection. I need to make those links in my RTC blog as well.
Be proud of your achievement of completing this DCL Post Grad certificate but more importantly for implementing so much of it into your programme and new school. As you mentioned, we need to do that for our students.