End of year reflection (2014)

One of my goals this year: 'Educating Life-long Learners'

Reflecting on My opinion:

I was able to build good relationships with my learners and had build their confidence and skills to ensure their learning is successful, enjoyable, meaningful and lifelong.

Reflecting on: My aim this year?

Learners were motivated to be active, engaged and connected learners for life, whilst getting them to use and apply the NZC Key Competencies and any other resources available to them through KidsedchatNZ, Quadblogging Aotearoa and 'Pass the Blog'.

Reflecting on: How will I do this?

1.  Learners were educated on how to make choices, how to think and learn

2.  Learners were encouraged to be critical thinkers and to use their ideas/thoughts to learn both independently and collaboratively

3.  Each learner were valued for what they do well (using weekly assembly awards)

4.  Learners knew they matter

With my 'Teaching as Inquiry (Maths)' my main question was: "How can I accelerate the progress of my focus group of students to where they should be in relation to the National standards?" and My Inquiry became about: "How can I support these students to show and explain their thinking?"

Reflection:

• What impact has my teaching had on my students? -> After introducing a concept, I encouraged student recording. Outcome:  Students were happily engaged in maths activities and considered it to be "their favourite time of the day".
• How do I know, what is the evidence? (Assessment/Student feedback - feed forward/Observations) -> Outcome:  Evidence about it here
• What do I need to do next? -> I provided students with the opportunity to [independently] explore and experiment further. -> Outcome:  Students created their own problems. See some examples here

Taking everything in consideration (as well as positive feedback from classroom observations), I feel confident that this inquiry was completed successfully.


I have also completed reflections on my eFellow14 inquiry, Reading Recovery training, uLearn14 experience and TeachMeetNZ presentation.

~ "Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. You get self-satisfaction from pushing yourself to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off." - Mary Lou Retton ~

Reading Recovery - a year in reflection

I have always been keen to try out new things to enhance my learning and improve my teaching, but when I learned that I will be involved in training as a Reading Recovery Teacher this year, I was almost struck with fear. However, that fear was quickly laid to rest when I experienced the specialist guidance, incredible support and positive feedback from our tutor, Wendy.  As a group, we fitted in well with each other and we were able to discuss many aspects of our teaching and training together. 

My thoughts, reflections and general comments on this year:

• The training course give me insight into how children read and write and I realised that many children who have managed to learn almost all letters and sounds and to read and write several words still cannot read the simplest text.  To successfully read texts children must divide their attention between meaning and other sources of information and make decisions in the same way that mature readers do, but within their limited repertoire of knowledge.
• I became aware that I've changed my teaching to focus on strategies to enable children to use efficient strategies to get meaning from texts as they read for meaning as this increased their ability to use print as cues and phonological cues to generate, confirm or alter their responses.

What aspect of the course did I find most challenging?

• What? Making sure I use & complete the right forms at the right time (Observation Survey excluded). Why? Everything was new and there are multiple forms to be completed for different aspects in the programme.

My biggest highlight and lowlight:

• Highlight: The problem-solving that the children did as they pursue meaning through the reading and writing of whole texts that built the store of words and word-parts that they can identify and recall.  To experience how proud the children are of their progress and how their self-confidence has grown.

Feeling grateful to have received this positive feedback from a parent:

Lowlight:  Slow progress/acceleration and limited support from home for some children.

Thank you Wendy (our Tutor), Gayle, Angela, Karen, Robyn, Haylee, Sharon and Heather for a wonderful year of learning and laughs!  We have worked hard and although we felt unsure at times, it was great to experience how we've started to believe in ourselves and how we have grown in confidence. Yay, we've made it!

Our Celebration lunch and last get together as a group....

~ "The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice" - Brian Herbert ~

Connected Rotorua - Last meeting for 2014

We kicked of our last meeting with Sara, talking to us about Excel Rotorua and how we as Connected Rotorua teachers can connect with them.  We are really excited to be able to be part of this project.

We also had some 'nibbles' to get the conversation going... 

Then, Tanya introduced us to 'Binary Code' which is a coding system using the binary digits 0 - 1 to represent a letter, digit or other character.  All computer language is based in binary code. Thus, when you learn most types of computer programming, you will touch upon the subject of binary numbers. Who knew?

Tanya used cards to explain the pattern of  even and odd.  She also challenge us with the question "What is the biggest number you can represent using 8 bits in binary?" Hmmm....

We were introduced to ASCII and started crafting some binary messages, using... stickers, paper and pens!

Although one had to be onto it, it turned out to be an afternoon of great fun of CS Unplugged magic tricks, binary counting and coded messages.

~ "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon" - Paul Brandt ~

My eFellow Inquiry presentation to the Cluster Principals

One thing that is being expected of you as an CORE Education eFellow is to share your learning, approaches, practices and inquiries with the wider teaching community.  

Thus, when asked by my Principal to present on my inquiry at the Cluster Principal meeting, I agreed (as I have had already presented my inquiry at uLearn14 and at #cenz14). 

Some of my presentation slides:

A short extract of my presentation:

• Where and how do I start to facilitate personalised learning was just one of my questions. Through my networks and discussions with other teachers, I found that many were asking the same questions (especially in the junior school area)
• I focused my inquiry on pedagogy and technologies (rather than the physical aspect of MLE) and although I was already using technology with great success in my classroom, I was driven by a desire to make learning even more rewarding and purposeful for my students
• Questions arise about how I could support my students to carry out learning in purposeful and meaningful ways
• I started working on supporting students to take more responsibility for their learning and how to make choices.  They have a choice of how they want to present their learning (iPads/Notebooks or via their Individual blogs).  When students know they have to share with peers, family or the teacher, it gives them accountability as well.  When they know they have to reflect on how that activity went, they have to have done it. With this I ensure no one is falling through the gaps under the guise of just "doing my own thing"
• Is this working in our learning environment? Definitely! I will now walk into class after lunch and students will be engaged in a learning activity without me telling them what to do. Where as earlier they were just sitting on the mat, waiting for me to direct them

I left them with these questions:

• What is your vision for your school, you learners?
• What changes need to happen at your school / classroom level?
• What would be the first thing you will be thinking of changing in your pedagogy?
• Do you think Personalised Learning has potential in your school environment and what would be your first step to support teachers to implement this?

Conclusion:
In the end it all came down to Student Agency and the "power to act" as Derek explained in Trend 1 of CORE's Ten Trends for 2014.

~ "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin ~

EOTC and the Classroom - #primedchatnz with William Pike

After a couple of technical issues, the #primedchatnz Google Hangout went Live where the organiser James Hopkins as well as Kate from Learning Network NZ discussed EOTC with William Pike.

Reid and I worked behind the scenes as moderators, with me putting up questions on Twitter and Reid answering other tweeters, while we both engaged successfully with people who made time to join us and tweeted some of William's views on EOTC and the classroom.

The participation of other educators on Twitter was once again incredible. A warm thank you to everyone who has contributed to the discussion. I have learned so much and feel privileged to have been part [once again] of #primedchatnz.





Here is my Storify of the discussion that was happening on Twitter:

~ "Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education." - Davi Polis ~

Connected Educator Month - #cenz14

Connected Educator Month in NZ-Aotearoa kicked off with a bang!  I joined the celebration and listen to some amazing presentations.  We were in for an amazing 31 days of Connected, Professional Learning.


The following are links to some Workshop recordings.

Day 1: (1st October)

1. CEM Launch - Kick off session with Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach, Sandy Philips, Derek Wenmoth, Wharehoka Wano, Phoebe Davies, Anthony Faitaua, Karen Melhuish Spencer
2. Introduction to the Starter Kete 
3. CEM NZ Showcase - Carolyn Stuart, Sonya Van Schaijik, Te Mihinga Komene, Anthony Faitaua, Allanah Kind, Tessa Gray
4. Stories of Connected PLD from NZ - Aotearoa   (Connected Professional Learning - Shared notes) - Hoeard Baldwin, Trevor Storr, Phillipa Antipas, Alana Madgwick, Tamara Bell

Day 2: (2nd October)

1. Modern Learning Practices and the connected world (Shared Google Doc) - Stephen Heppell, Derek Wenmoth, Janelle Riki, Mark Osborne
2. Change Leadership: Connecting Maori and Pasifika (Shared Google Doc) - Dr. Sarah-Jane Tiakiwai, Keriana Tawhiwhirangi, Maria Lemalie, Togi Lemanu, Phoebe Davies, Tahy Paki
3. Connected Voices, Whatunga Korero project - with the link to the project
4. A powerful blend: ULearn14 and Connected Educator Month: What's in store
5. #blogsync launch: Chris Waugh, Karen Meluish Spencer

Day 3: (3rd October)

1. Connected learning: Plotting pathways, navigating mazes - Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano, Tom Barrett, Togi Lemanu, Karen Melhuish Spencer
2. Book Group kick-off: NZCER's Key Competencies for the Future - Rachel Bolstad, Sue McDowall, Sally Boyd

I made the decision not to link to all the Workshops I watched after Day 3, as I was getting ready to prepare for uLearn14 and soon after that it was back to school again.  However, the calendar for all events can be found here

Other events that I committed myself to throughout October was:

• eFellows14 Reflection
• ConnectedRotorua's Pass the Blog
• James' #primedchatnz with Tony Ryan on 'Future Focused Learning'
• TeachMeetNZ presentation

~ "We are all strangers CONNECTED by what we REVEAL, what we SHARE, and what we TAKE AWAY.... OUR STORIES" - Libba Bray ~

My fabulous #TeachMeetNZ experience

Today, I have had the opportunity to present [a second time] for #TeachMeetNZ. This was a special session, as we worked collaboratively with #TMSydney for Connected Educator Month.

Sonya [as usually] was an amazing host, which helped to make this experience even more enjoyable. Thank you for being my inspiration, Sonya!

When asked to base my presentation around a 'Connected Educator' I happily obliged, as I am a connected educator.  I have build a Personal Learning Network with incredible educators, locally and globally.  We are able to develop our shared visions and common goals and can discuss the needs for future focus learning.

We know the world is changing at an incredible pace for our students and if we want to prepare them for their future, it is important that we, as connected educators also become the connected learners.

Being a connected educator provides me with ongoing inspiration and support.  It is my wish that more educators would see the value of being connected.

I was blown away when Justine asked if she can share my presentation.

I felt humbled when reading the kind words of Kimberley. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to be in a #TeachMeetNZ session with you, Kimberley.  I think you are doing amazing things with your students and  I do hope we can have a proper chat in the near future!

Reflection:

Having the opportunity to grow my own practice, to question, to experiment and to make mistakes is invaluable.
I acknowledge that I have grown immensely [personally and professionally] since becoming a connected educator.  However, this is just the beginning... I know that there is still a lot more to learn and experience.

So where to next?

I am going to utilize the Google Hangout tool to get in touch with educators around topics that would make learning even more rewarding and purposeful for my students. 

A Storify:

~ The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live. - Mortimer J. Adler ~