Initial learning has mainly been focused on finding my way
around the course site, and its hidden levels.
I have to admit I find it difficult to navigate to and from the various
portals that we are using – Learn/moodle – blogs – Wiki educator – but as my
familiarity grows, and I gather a large amount of bookmarks, I know it will
become easier.
Setting up a blog and using it to gather my thoughts,
reading summaries etc. has been positive
and I am thinking that something along this line would be a great model to use
as a personal record of professional development / performance agreement within
my school as we create a similar reflection journal on paper. I find it very positive to be able to read
what others participating in the course are thinking as it helps to clarify my
own understanding of readings and new concepts. It also motivates me to keep on task and find
aspects of the course I have missed as they discuss concepts in blog posts or the
forums. It is also positive to see some familiar names
on this course from others I am doing / have done this year. Knowing the supportive nature of my ‘classmates’
and the seeing the frequent posts of our lecturers reassures me that the struggles
of the course will end with a positive learning outcome.
I found the initial articles intriguing. The Arena of Change by Niki Davis, is an
interesting concept of how all the different aspects or stake holders in education
are interwoven. Often when considering
implementing innovations, I have not explicitly considered the influences of
these varying levels. They do, however, all
impact decisions that are made.
I am still re-reading the articles which outline models of
change and trying to get my foggy brain to make sense of them. So far, the main understanding I have gained
is the need to plan for change and be prepared for how others will react to the
change. In my role as principal I have
been able to easily implement and manage change as I have only led small
schools. However as my school has grown
and I am leading developments within our local area, implementing change needs
to be more intentional, thoroughly planned, managed and sustained.
I look forward to clarifying the different change models
that apply to working with new technologies, implementing positive change in my
own classroom and school and learning with a great group of passionate
educators.
Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a candid reflection of your journey so far. If its any consolation -- the array of technologies and navigational challenges you're experiencing are intentional - all part of proving an authentic change experience with digital technology. Our technology infrastructure represents a personal learning environment on the open web combined with integration of social media tools for our collective learning. These tools and approaches will become more important in the future. From personal experience -- I know that it will become easier as we gain familiarity with these tools.
Hi Megan
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with your comments re planning for change. I am also the principal of a relatively small school. In the past I have been a little too autocratic in implementing change, without a clear structure and process for doing so. Actual strategies, such as the Concerns-Based Adoption Model, make it clear to me that a process does need to be followed, as well as giving me empathy for the needs to staff and students who are going through the change.
Cheers
Tim