Week 26 - APC - Community of Practice and Situated Learning

Community of Practice and Situated Learning

Stoll (1998) places the importance of understanding school culture as the starting point for leading change towards school improvement. Some internal and external factors that shape a school culture include the school history, the student socio-economical background, external contexts such as national educational policies, and societal changes.

Activity 2: Your professional community

What are the current issues in your community of practice? How would your community of practice address them?

My community of practice has undergone  a number of changes that not only impacted on my community of practice but 'sadly' affected the other schools and local community.  

Since 2012, the Ministry of Education closed two schools, merged 3 primary schools, re-opened a new High School from Years 7-13 and a Kura Kaupapa school was established.  Fortunately, there was one school that was 'untouched' by the Ministry...

What are the challenges that you face in your community of practice? How would your community of practice address them?

School Culture

Stoll (1998) defines school culture as three dimensions, the relationship among its members; the organisational structure including the physical environment and management system; and the learning nature.

Creating a school culture in my community of practice is a 'work in progress' as there have been a number of changes 
The three dimensions stated by Stoll (1998) above is where my community of practice is working towards.  There has been a number of changes such as such as a new principal (2 years), staff leaving, and new appointments.  Therefore, my community of practice I consider to be,  'a work in progress.'

Reference:

Stoll (1998). School Culture. School Improvement Network’s Bulletin 9. Institute of Education, University of London. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Understanding-school-cultures/School-Culture

Week 25 - APC - Appiied Practice in Context

Activity 1: Defining my Practice

Defining my Practice

Since 1997 my professional context has been in the Primary sector of education.  I have had a variety of job roles in such Librarian & ICT support, Teacher-Aide, Office relief and now a classroom Teacher for the last 8 years.  

I currently have a Y 5 & 6 1:1 iPad classroom that is now in its second year.  My initial thoughts about integrating the iPad into a traditional classroom was and still is exciting, challenging and rewarding when the learner and I work collaboratively toward the goal of achieving success to the best of ones ability as per our school motto that is...

“I o Mahi Katoa Mahia – Our best always in all ways”

My Community of Practice

According to Wenger (2000),  'Learning so defined is an interplay between social competence and personal experience.  It is a dynamic, two way relationship between people and the social learning systems in which they participate.  It combines personal transformation with the evolution of social structures. 

Furthermore, 'belonging to social learning systems can take various forms at various levels between local and interactions and global participation."'

Working with like minded people in my community of learning can be very challenging, exciting, frustrating, and rewarding.  You need to be flexible, caring, firm, open minded, respectful, honest, responsible and I believe being a social worker or having a police officer skills can be included in the 'community of learning' in a Primary School environment.

What is the purpose and function of your practice? 

First and foremost the purpose and function of my practice is to TEACH!  This is guided by, “The NZ Curriculum and Te Mauranga o Aotearoa is to, ‘set the direction for student learning and provide guidance for schools as they design and review their curriculum.

Although both come from different perspectives, each start with a vision of young people developing the competencies they need for study, work, and lifelong learning, so they may go on to realise their potential." 

In what ways do you contribute to the community of your practice?

My contribution to the community of practice has been in a variety of roles such as:

• 
  
• Classroom Teacher
• Teacher in charge of Sport
• elearining support
• Kapa Haka support. 

Collaborating with teaching colleagues, Support Staff, Outside Agencies (RTLB, RT Lit, Special Education, SWISS workers) also attending Professional Development courses in particularly e-learning. 

I am currently in my 2nd term as Staff Trustee and work outside of the school community by volunteering for community events such as sporting events and community events.

What is your specialist area of practice? How does your specialist area of practice relate to the broader professional context?

I consider my specialist area of practice would be integrating e-learning in the classroom. Integrating e-learning into the 'traditional' classroom recognises that education needs to keep up with the the 21st century learner. Digital technology is the way of the world for learners 'today' and therefore it seems the natural pathway to integrate digital technology into the classroom.

Reference:

Ministry of Education.  (2007).  http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum retrieved 10 June

Wenger, E.(2000).Communities of practice and social learning systems.Organization,7(2), 225-246 (Available in Unitec Library).