Introduction

I am very fortunate to be an Assistant Principal (Innovative Teaching and Curriculum) in a Primary School of 500 students. I live in South Australia in the Barossa Valley – a very beautiful and famous wine district. I’m a mum of two, who has sailed racing yachts, played netball and touch football, attempted to play Basketball but knew at 5ft this would never turn into a real talent, so I’ve stuck to teaching.

 

I'm writing this blog to share my experience as an MIE and hopefully encourage other educators to learn new things, take risks with their own learning and share their learning journey with others. Writing alongside Kalpana, a fellow MIE, will allow you to see similiarities and differences between our countries, schools and practices.

 

Nine months ago, I would honestly have to say that I wasn’t that up to date with the latest software, technology and I had never ever written a blog, let alone ventured into Twitter. As like many teachers I had become comfortable in teaching what I knew. I watched one teacher try new software/apps in her lessons and she was seen as the only one who did this; a little too hard for other staff to do as they have enough on their plate. But to me she stood out above the crowd, her students enjoyed her lessons and she had passion for her profession. She would always fill me in with the next best thing she was trying. I admired her for this and her excitement was a little catchy.

 

In April 2014 I was asked to attend a Microsoft training, I wasn’t too sure, in fact I tried to talk myself out of going as I was always the one that had to ask others for technical advice. I thought my flaws (not being up to date with the latest technology) would surely stand out. But I chose to take a risk, I might learn something - I tried to convince myself. So I took the chance, attended 21st Century Learning Design Training and this is what happened next:

• Learnt, applied, love and live Microsoft's 21st Century Learning Design.

• Met the inspirational, supportive and very clever Pip Cleaves (Senior Education Consultant - Microsoft)

• Joined Yammer - where I network with like-minded educators across Australia

• With the help of a fellow staff member and coach we showed 21CLD to our staff

• 7 staff members said they were keen to learn more and asked to be coached, as did the teacher I mentioned above.

• I saw firsthand the positive impacts of 21CLD had on students, teachers and my own teaching practice.

• Another school and two kindergartens asked me to explain to their staff what 21CLD was and how they could learn more about it.

 

So just from the training all these doors began to open, and then another I saw a message on Yammer asking educators to apply for MIE.  Loving this new risk taking and my new rejuvenated love of learning I couldn’t not apply . . . . . .  (To be continued)