Congratulations to Schira Withers (Our Lady Star of the Sea School) and Tracey Burgess (St Peter's School, Beckenham) who have both completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning) in 2015 & 2016 through The Mind Lab Programme.
This programme focuses on four integrated components which are:
- Digital Collaborative Learning in Context.
- Leadership in Digital and Collaborative Learning.
- Research and Community Informed Practice.
- Applied Practice in Context.
The Programme is 32 weeks and is broken into two key stages:
Stage One (16 Weeks) - Weekly face to face four hour sessions at the MindLab combined with online materials.
Stage Two (16 Weeks) - Primarily online students apply new knowledge and practice in the classroom while studying online.
You may have recently seen this article about the creator of MindLab in The Press last weekend.
Here is the blog from MindLab discussing Schira's journey.
"Schira Withers, Deputy Principal and Head of ICT at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Sumner, Christchurch. Having reflected deeply on the efficacy of leading technology- enhance pedagogical change, Schira decided to promote and implement a whole- school teacher inquiry pilot project during Term 4 of 2015. The essence of the change initiative lay in working with teachers to create eighteen groups of pupils across the school. Each group included at least one technologically capable senior student (Year 6,7 or 8) and the work of each group was supported and facilitated by a specific teacher. Each group of pupils had to create a website demonstrating an understanding of Tony Ryan's 'Thinking Keys'. The success of the inquiry would depend, critically, on teachers' actively encouraging and engaging students, as well as providing suggestions for improvements. Initial evaluations suggests that the project has been a great success. Schira now plans to implement a more comprehensive whole - school teacher inquiry project during 2016, based on the model trialled in Term 4, 2015".
You can also learn about Schira and her journey below.
Fantastic work from both Schira and Tracey as they continue to develop their practice and and reflect on the effect of their teaching.
Jeremy.
Ange Hide of St Joseph's Timaru has also completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning) in 2015 & 2016 through The Mind Lab Programme. This involved travelling to Christchurch every Thursday afternoon after teaching for 16 weeks. Great commitment Ange. Read her blog Angesmindlabexperience.blogspot.co.nz
ReplyDeleteHi Carmel :) Wow that is a fantastic effort from Ange. Would she be available for a phone interview about her experiences? It is important that people like yourself make us aware of success in our Catholic Schools so we can share it here! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she would. I will ask her and can email Cushla and let her know.
DeleteHi, thank you! It is important to recognise her efforts!
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