Date: April 13, 2013
Subject: Another Course Complete

I have finished ETEC 500. My research proposal is complete and has been submitted for marking. A copy of my proposal can be accessed through the link on my research journal page.

This has been a challenging course. There was a ton of information to read and digest. But I must admit that I am feeling much more like a grad student than I did at the beginning of the course. I feel pretty solid in the work I want to undertake and fairly confident in my ability to turn my ideas into something workable. I feel like I have more in common and a better understanding of other researchers in educational technology. I wonder if there is a secret handshake or if I have to wait until graduation from MET for this initiation?

My next course is ETEC 512 – Application of Learning Theory to the Analysis of Instructional Settings. It starts May 13 so I have a month to get acquainted with my family. We spent the day gardening; what a delight!

Date: January 12, 2013
Subject: Continuing the work…

I started my second class in the MET Program on January 2, 2013. I am really looking forward to ETEC 500 – Research Methodology in Education and its final outcome of producing a proposal for my master’s project. I will continue on the theme of mPortfolios and anticipate a real challenge in defining a workable, valuable, and applicable project.

The process of building the habit of reflection continues in my Kindergarten classroom. My student do enjoy the show n’ tell aspect of sharing their quality projects and our new Quality Centre is very popular. Every day, I meet with three or four students to discuss their Quality Time presentations.  We talk about what they have done and how it can be improved. Once revised, it is presented to the class which prompts another round of discussion with peers.

I now realize how much practice I need to ask good questions – questions that promote reflection and encourage my students. On the flip side, as I ask more of my students they ask more of me. Sometimes they ask about the decisions I make and encourage me to try new things. Reflecting on pedagogy is always good – I just didn’t think the challenge would come from five year-olds!