Developing Professional Learning and Practice

Originally, the goal of completing the Learning and Leadership Masters Program was to explore other areas of learning that I may be involved in the future. Nothing has changed in that respect but after completing the Learning in the Digital Age subject, the Launching and Learning subject, conducting numerous reflections of conversations and experiences I have found a particular area of learning very interesting.

Preparing learners with skills for an unpredictable future is the particular focus area. After observing and researching the flaws and inconsistencies between the levels/constructs of education in Australia, most Countries will struggle with the ability to develop a productive and effective work force in order to cope with this ever changing and demanding World.

With this in mind I have be started to formulate ideas and hopefully by the middle of 2018 implement a platform which will allow young people to build a depository of skills which industry can access and help curate. In turn, mentors from industry can contribute to the learning process by sharing their learnings with young people in the form of comments, illustrations of career profiles and sharing their experiences. I call it 'breaking through the constructs of education to create authentic learning'. By enacting this process, hopefully we help contribute to a more collaborative and productive working society.

Personal Evolution from 'Launching Learning' and 'Learning in the Digital Age' subjects

From both subjects I did realise I have to practice and continue to improve my academic writing abilities. Bearing this in mind, sharing ideas within the course and within industry would be better aided with improved writing skills. Maybe surprise myself and actually get some of my research or work published one day?

In the Launching and Learning subject, learning took on a new meaning. The ever changing nature of numerous theories, reflection as a learning practice and the focus on not only human interactions but the contexts in which they interact are continually shaping the formulation of ideas in my professional practice. In particular, Actor Network Theory which emphasise the non human and collaborative aspects of learning. Considering the different contexts in which learning occurs, the principles of constructivist theories like ANT are important when developing elements of the platform I am working on.

In the Learning in the Digital Age subject, organisation and efficiency has taken on a new meaning. Having heard, tried and experimented with various ICT software, hardware and processes I have enjoyed making my work practises much more efficient. Thus giving me more time to build effective resources and strategies. In particular, I have been using information aggregators such as OneNote and EverNote to organise my University, Projects and Teaching lives. At the start of the course, I was interested in understanding the inconsistencies of establishing mobile devices and social media in the classroom. Looking further into possibilities of change in the classroom, I found more and more opportunities to create change in learning environments. Ultimately, developing a platform idea in which I can sink my teeth into. The use of collaborative resources to break through the constructs of education in order to improve productivity of society is of real interest to me. I am looking forward to where this may take me.

As for the main objectives of the remainder of the Masters of Learning and Leadership Course they have transformed into the following:

1. Continue to explore any avenue for routine conversation and research about core skills, enacting learning and breaking through barriers/constructs to better prepare students for industry and work. May come in the forms of working with industry, working across the different educational levels, reading more and continual conversations with leaders in Education. This will be a part of the idea formulation and review process for the platform idea.

2. Continue to lead by example. Be seen as a positive and enthusiastic learning professional and be able to influence change. Create test cases for change that others will appreciate. This can be easily be done with new or established ICT strategies. Be seen to propose solutions rather than more questions. This will be test cases where I can practise the conversations I will need to perfect when trying to implement a large project such as the platform idea.

3. Build relationships with various stakeholders to ensure that I develop a realistic, up to date, considerate and effective platform idea.

In regards to the Professional Learning and Practice subject, I have provisionally developed  the following objectives:

1. Understand how practice is most effective within various industries other than education. Read up on various case studies and maybe even request for industry insight into best practice.

2. Review secondary teacher practice and see what changes we can implement. Particularly explore the idea of practicing/mentoring rather than documenting as a way of accreditation. 

3. Engage in conversation about what practises can be used across industries. Or even is it possible to use similar practises across industries. 

4. Explore how learning by practice as being a viable, collaborative and cost effective solution to employers. Learning is becoming the new marketing. The first thing to scrap when finances are tight. The aim is to change the way CEO’s value learning as important to creating a productive and effective workforce.