Changes In Practice

   

      

"If we wish to develop new and better methods of practice, we begin by examining the behaviour we want to improve."  (Osterman & Kottkamp, 1993)

Key Change #1

In all honesty, I have never been completely happy with my maths programme. I have always ability grouped learners as I felt this was the method that ensured I was catering to the needs of each student and I could also provide the required assessment data. 

I had never considered another method to be viable until I decided upon my Literary Review Assignment topic - How does mindset impact student self-efficacy in the classroom? I became particularly interested in the findings of Jo Boaler and Carol Dweck with regards to growth mindset and the impact this has on a student's perception of their abilities in Maths. Their views strongly resonated with me. While researching I could actually visualise students in my class that demonstrated traits of a fixed mindset in Maths.

I felt I had a new found awareness. The most significant realisation was that my ability grouped programme was fixed mindset. I found this difficult to reconcile as I had always held a strong belief that ability grouping children was the best method to cater for learning needs. My research hugely challenged my thinking and pedagogy, but the evidence was too compelling to ignore. 

Our 55 students are now engaged in a programme that is based on growth mindset principles. It is problem-solving based with students collaborating in a mixed ability setting. Mistakes are evidence of learning, with students being encouraged to "up challenge", risk take and share their new learning. 

Implications

I truly feel the student's anxiety levels have decreased and their enjoyment of Maths has increased. They are showing determination and resilience in solving problems, and are choosing more challenging activities as the fear of failure or making mistakes are gone. Ensuring curriculum coverage and assessment requirements are met is ongoing. We are currently integrating more numeracy and strand-based workshops and post-testing problem-solving strategies. The plan is constantly being reflected upon. 

PTC Criteria 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Key Change #2

I have always been interested in the benefits of digital technology. Keeping abreast of the latest apps, and the time required to search and critique these had become an issue. I found the digital component of this course to be extremely valuable, particularly the Leadership and the Digital and Collaborative Learning in Context assignments. I fully explored the Seesaw and Trello apps and implemented both successfully into my classroom programme following the plan I outlined in my assignments. It was beneficial to be able to extensively plan an implementation as I don't believe they would have been as successful or well executed without this opportunity.

Implications                                      

Thanks to Mindlab I am now very proactive in using Digital Technology. This term I have used Hopscotch to introduce my students to coding, am using Google Classroom as a form of regular communication and am in the process of exploring how Twitter can be incorporated thanks to exploring Social Media in the classroom context.

PTC Criteria 4, 5, 6  

             

What next?

"Research informed practice has helped guide teachers to change their practice through an awareness of wider sources than their own intuition and experience."

Continuing to have a research informed practice is high on my list of priorities. I have two books, by Carol Dweck and Jo Boaler, to read during the holidays. I feel my growth mindset journey is just beginning and I am looking forward to the continued positive impact this will have in my classroom. 

References

Osterman, K. & Kottkamp, R.(1993). Reflective Practice for Educators.California.Cornwin Press, Inc. Retrieved on 7th May, 2015 from http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/RefPract/Osterman_Kottkamp_extract.pdf

SkillsTeamHullUni. (2014, March 3). Reflective writing.[video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoI67VeE3ds