Week 30: Mindlab (activity 6) Contemporary trends in
New Zealand or internationally
In this
blog, I will identify and analyize a contemporary trend in New Zealand and use Rolfe, Freshwater,
Jasper, (2001), reflective framework in my teaching practice.
What is a
trend?
According to Wilson,
(2012) notes that a characteristic of a “trend” is that the changes it bring
would have impacts within the field or wider environment.
According
to OECD, (2016) Trends shaping education states that it is a motivation for
thinking about major shift that can influence education and that education can
influence these trends.
What?
According to Daggett, (2014
p.2) he stated that today’s learners are digital natives
and its a rapidly evolving digital environment. I totally agree and that some
of students know about many apps that they are able to teach me. There are
trends popping up, starting and quickly changing or fading out.
One emerging
trend identified in Daggett, (2014), I think is most relevant in my practice
would be, ‘impact of digital learning.’ I need to understand and
take advantage of the power technology, as I need to make learning relevant. I
am trying to use digital tools effectively in everyday learning by trying in
blended learning. I am helping students to build upon their learning
experiences and problem solving technology skills.
In my practice,
I’m trying to ensure the technology is carefully thoughtful for instructional
and purposeful to will get my students to develop 21st century
skills and thinking in ways that will lead them to be successful.
So
What?
The first item I
notice on the diagram is the technology tools used for personal / home /
outside of school use. It is interesting to see smartphone is the most used,
second, laptop. The marjority of users is grade 3.
The accessibility that grade 3 and
6 students has to information using all three digital tools. Having the ability
to communicate using smart phones, laptops, and tablets on a regular/ daily
basis.
Simply, with the access and use of
technology tools much easier, higher at home, and children born into this
digital age and as, Dagett (2014) p.4 “Today’s learners are digital
natives—yet they come to school and power down their devices.”
The challenges I face are, how do
cater for all my students, (the have and have nots.), my pedagogical practice,
planning and teaching of application-based instructional programs, managing
their digital identity demonstrating digital citizenship.
(Data provided by
Dagget, (2014) p.4)
Now What? (Critique and evaluate
practice in the context of different audiences (local, national and/or
international) and their perspectives.)
Local: I know for
all this is happen is to support change, have systems in place to support staff
to have professional development to adapt. School leaders to have systems and
structures for guidance. The school culture can only get better with change.
This would also imply our school community ensuring that
stakeholders understand the need to be
prepare for education trends that reshape teaching and learning.
National: All schools
are looking and inquiring into improving student performance. Some schools are
challenged with emerging trends, such as, school culture, the impact of
emerging trends with either positive or negatives outcomes and of course,
networking with other schools with best practice.
International: Dagett, (2014) p.2 states, ‘the world in which students
will live and work is changing and advancing at an even faster rate than
improvements in our schools.’ According
to National Intelligence Council, (2017),
Global trends points out, ICT – the use and associated technologies that have
transform work practices and the way people live and communicate.
In conclusion, this trend of digital learning is being addressed. There
will always be limitations/barriers/opportunities for teachers and students and
its impact can be both good and bad. ‘Yes’, the world is change and advancing
ever so fast, and schools are doing their best to change, adapt and implement
this great change. For me, it was studying Mindlab this year. Understanding the
learning and slowly adapting and implementing this new learning.
References:
Daggett, B. (2014).
Addressing Current and Future Challenges in Education. Retrieved from http://www.leadered.com/pdf/2014MSC_AddressingCurrentandFutureChallenges.pdf
OECD.
(2016) Trends Shaping Education 2016, OECD Publishing, Paris. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/trends_edu-2016-enDaggett, B. (2014).
Addressing Current and Future Challenges in Education. Retrieved from http://www.leadered.com/pdf/2014MSC_AddressingCurrentandFutureChallenges.pdf
Rolfe, G., Freshwater, D.,
Jasper, M. (2001) Critical reflection in nursing and the helping
professions: a user’s guide. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Wilson, B. (2012).
Trends and issues facing distance education. In L. Visser, Y. Visser M., R.
Amirault & M. Simonson (2nd Ed.) Trends and Issues in Distance Education.
International Perspectives (pp.39-54). North Carolina: Information Age
Publishing, Inc.
