Week 3
The two inquiry topics are. 1. How can I use digital tools to encourage students to be self-regulated
learners? 2. How will blended learning improve students motivation to collaborate and talk
about their learning?
The two inquiry topics are. 1. How can I use digital tools to encourage students to be self-regulated
learners? 2. How will blended learning improve students motivation to collaborate and talk
about their learning?
Descriptive
According to Wenger-Trayner & Wenger –Trayner (2015), “Communities of practice are groups
of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better
as they interact regularly” (p 1). Our team syndicate is an example of a “CoP” where we have a
shared interest in our Year 3 & 4 learners. We learn from each other and share ideas during our
weekly meetings that will benefit our own practices as well as our learners. We are all lifelong
learners and regularly collaborate as we have all embarked on this Mindlab journey together.
of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better
as they interact regularly” (p 1). Our team syndicate is an example of a “CoP” where we have a
shared interest in our Year 3 & 4 learners. We learn from each other and share ideas during our
weekly meetings that will benefit our own practices as well as our learners. We are all lifelong
learners and regularly collaborate as we have all embarked on this Mindlab journey together.
What makes working with our “CoP” such a rewarding experience is the way we engage and
participate as a group. According to Bozarth (2017). A true CoP is a “Community” were the
participants are not just attending meetings but are passionate, have a shared interest and are
engaged in contributing and wanting everyone to succeed. There is always someone who is
able to share their time and offer advice. The Syndicate team I work with all have digital tools
and are motivated to using these tools to enhance self-regulated learners. We are also motivated
to include blended learning to help our students to talk and write about their learning. I realise
that I need to continue to reflect on the success and failures of incorporating blended learning
to ensure that the students are motivated, working collaboratively and they are able to
articulate this.
participate as a group. According to Bozarth (2017). A true CoP is a “Community” were the
participants are not just attending meetings but are passionate, have a shared interest and are
engaged in contributing and wanting everyone to succeed. There is always someone who is
able to share their time and offer advice. The Syndicate team I work with all have digital tools
and are motivated to using these tools to enhance self-regulated learners. We are also motivated
to include blended learning to help our students to talk and write about their learning. I realise
that I need to continue to reflect on the success and failures of incorporating blended learning
to ensure that the students are motivated, working collaboratively and they are able to
articulate this.
Comparative
To help improve student motivation it is important for teachers to include blended learning in
the classroom according to Parsons (2011), blended learning is a combination of face-to-face
learning and some form of technology. Through the use of technology the children will be
required to work collaboratively therefore encouraging student talk and communication.
This is an opportunity for the teachers in our syndicate to plan tasks using the 21st Century
rubric so our students are working to level 5 of the rubric. According to Voogt and Roblin, (2010).
The 21st Century rubric aims to develop skills such as listening to other people's ideas, and
integrating ideas with the aim of working together so that the team will succeed. I aim to
regularly use this rubric to help improve my lesson plans and my own teaching practice.
According to Bolstad, R., Gilbert, J., McDowall, S., Bull, A., Boyd, S., & Hipkins, R. (2012), it is
necessary for the education system to change and move away from the more traditional forms
of education. It is important to continue to plan blended learning tasks where students
are required to work collaboratively and share their ideas. I will need to reflect and research
and share successes and areas that I need to improve on with my co-workers in my CoP.
the classroom according to Parsons (2011), blended learning is a combination of face-to-face
learning and some form of technology. Through the use of technology the children will be
required to work collaboratively therefore encouraging student talk and communication.
This is an opportunity for the teachers in our syndicate to plan tasks using the 21st Century
rubric so our students are working to level 5 of the rubric. According to Voogt and Roblin, (2010).
The 21st Century rubric aims to develop skills such as listening to other people's ideas, and
integrating ideas with the aim of working together so that the team will succeed. I aim to
regularly use this rubric to help improve my lesson plans and my own teaching practice.
According to Bolstad, R., Gilbert, J., McDowall, S., Bull, A., Boyd, S., & Hipkins, R. (2012), it is
necessary for the education system to change and move away from the more traditional forms
of education. It is important to continue to plan blended learning tasks where students
are required to work collaboratively and share their ideas. I will need to reflect and research
and share successes and areas that I need to improve on with my co-workers in my CoP.
Critical reflection
Having the opportunity to share my two inquiries with my “CoP” is a great way to communicate
my ideas with like minded people, it is also important to have an audience to share my trials
and tribulations with who will critique my work and offer suggestions that would help with
my development and the inquiries. As stated by Wenger. E (2000) “Communities of practice
deepen their mutual commitment when then they take responsibility for a learning agenda,
which pushes their practice further”. P 232. I would also hope that sharing my inquiry may
also be of some help to the members of my “CoP”.
my ideas with like minded people, it is also important to have an audience to share my trials
and tribulations with who will critique my work and offer suggestions that would help with
my development and the inquiries. As stated by Wenger. E (2000) “Communities of practice
deepen their mutual commitment when then they take responsibility for a learning agenda,
which pushes their practice further”. P 232. I would also hope that sharing my inquiry may
also be of some help to the members of my “CoP”.
Reference
Bolstad, R., Gilbert, J., McDowall, S., Bull, A., Boyd, S., & Hipkins, R. (2012). Supporting
future-oriented learning and teaching — a New Zealand perspective. Report prepared
for the Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/109306
future-oriented learning and teaching — a New Zealand perspective. Report prepared
for the Ministry of Education. Retrieved from
https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/schooling/109306
Bozarth, J (2017). A true CoP is a “Community” were the participates are not just attending
meetings but are passionate, have a shared interest and are engaged in contributing and
wanting everyone to succeed.
meetings but are passionate, have a shared interest and are engaged in contributing and
wanting everyone to succeed.
Parsons, D. (2011). Foreword. In A. Kitchenham (Ed.) Models for Interdisciplinary Mobile
Learning: Delivering Information to Students. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
Learning: Delivering Information to Students. Hershey, PA: IGI Global.
Voogt, J. & Roblin, N. (2010). 21st Century Skills Discussion paper. University of Twente. Retrieved
from http://opite.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/61995295/White%20Paper%2021stCS_
Final_ENG_def2.pdf
from http://opite.pbworks.com/w/file/fetch/61995295/White%20Paper%2021stCS_
Final_ENG_def2.pdf
Wenger, E.(2000). Communities of practice and social learning systems. Organization,7(2), 225-246.
Wenger-Trayner, E., & Wenger-Trayner, B. (2015). Introduction to communities of practice: A brief overview of the concept and its uses. Retrieved from http://wenger-trayner.com/introduction-to-communities-of-practice/
Hi Sonya, this is such a nice written reflection on your community of practice. You have such an amazing team to work with. You have highlighted many positive points and what you are working towards, such as using digital tools to create blended learning and 21st century skills. Silva cited in Kauman, (2013) argues that 21st century skills "aren't new rather “just newly important,” reflects our society’s readiness and need for individuals with these skills (Silva, 2009, p. 631). "
ReplyDeleteIn your CoP, you shared that, you will communicate, share your success and failures, critique each others work and offer suggestions. You stated by Wenger. E (2000) “Communities of practice
deepen their mutual commitment when then they take responsibility for a learning agenda,
which pushes their practice further”. P 232. This is be a great achievement for your CoP to work towards together.
It is great of you to share your improvements, which you can learn from, and it will only make you a better educator. Awesome reflection Sonya.
Our "CoP" meetings have always been a great way to share and seek advice to help us improve our practice. It is also a great for us to keep setting new goals for ourselves.
DeleteYou show passion on a continual basis at our COP meetings through critique of the methods and models we share. This has helped myself to question deeper into areas we have discussed and not accept 'one offs' at face value. As a team we have grown to work well with each other but also ‘build’ each other through, feeding back about some of the hard stuff.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel when faced with the difficult stuff shared by others?
I notice your not quick to shut others down but you try to view things from the perspective of others and that of theory, before laying down the law or possible outcomes and suggestions.
Feeling comfortable to share with everyone in your CoP is always a good place to start. Also any advice or critiques are not personal and learning together is always a happy consequence. Sometimes not having to come up with an on the spot answer gives me time to really think about how I can answer some of those difficult questions.
DeleteYes I agree with you Whaea Sonya, the syndicate that I work with are also striving to work with the digital tools to enhance the motivation of our tauira and and our CoP is using the Hangarau Matihiko from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa to guide our e-learning/digital journey.
ReplyDeleteI too realise the importance of reflecting on the successes and failures of digital technology in my own practice to ensure that my tauira are engaged and motivated with their learning (nā te mea he wāhanga Māori tō mātou, ko tā mātou tino hiahia kia noho tonu te reo hei kaupapa matua, otirā, kia kimi ai te hononga o ngā taonga mai i ō tātou tupuna ki tēnei ao matihiko). (Sorry my English is terrible, and my Māori is better)