When thinking back upon MGI 2016, it seems to be the perfect storm of having to do a great deal of reflecting, and having focused my Action Research Project on reflection! I'd better walk the walk here and practice what I am going to be asking my students to do this year. When I say two kinds of goals, what I mean is that I approached the blog writing/formal post goals one way, in the academic way, but realize that I also had personal goals that did not get expressed or reflected upon in a post. So here it goes...
Academic Goals
I was much more confident about what to expect academically from MGI this year. Last year having been my first year, feeling out of place as an elementary teacher, and not having done the action research kind of work before, I was swimming in a place of discomfort. When the time came this year to write goals I though only of the academic part. Wasn't that why I was here? I jumped right into it with goals for my project, even written in the SMART format! Such a good student.
Here is the link to that first formal post:
Formal Post 1
I didn't change much about these goals over the course of the week. They seem to match what I hope to accomplish this year and I feel confident about the way they were written. The work towards those goals was the part that was pleasantly surprising as I look back on the week. "Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right", sings Jerry Garcia, and I think that I saw light that I did not expect to include in a discussion about my academic work.
The Quipu Beads
I don't make jewelry or do much art. I'm a word kind of guy, especially in writing. I can get all twisted up when speaking at times, so I rely on written word. This Quipu bead task was unexpected and provided some anxiety. But I went with it, just like I would expect students to do. Each day adding a new set of beads provided some well needed breaks but also a chance to try and showcase what I was feeling in a different way. Professional readings about the multiliteracies was not something I thought much about during the week, yet here I was, forced to communicate in a different way. I think the symmetry of the beads is noteworthy as that is the kind of brain I think I have. Make a random collection of beads? No way. So what do the beads mean for my week?
Purple = wishing our new team name, Tenacious D, had something to do with Prince. It's the anchor of my Quipu though, just like my Team would prove to be. A place where new connections were made, old ones reestablished, and chances could be taken.
Blue stars = the multiple pathways I had learned about early on in the week. The 3 Pillars, PLPs, and student led goal setting. If I was going to focus on having students reflect on goals, I'd better embrace this fact they might not focus on what I wanted them to. Sitting with students and having them wish they had more say in their work, more time to make it their own, and more relevance to themselves. As I heard numerous times during the week, it's not where you start, it's where you finish. It's about the process of reflection, not simply what the goal is!
Silver = Lots of jumbled and bumpy significance. Multiple pathways are not clear cut, nor is the work going to be easy. I met with two students who came to talk about their PLP work with me. Here's the reflection post:
I was surprised by the lack of enthusiasm in the students and was fearing for my own teaching pitfall of starting something and not giving adequate time to do it correctly and well. So I found myself wanting to stick to my academic goals, yet feeling a bit unsure of how to go there. Which digital format do I use? Do I have students reflect on new goals each week? How much does the goal matter?
Pink = Cloudy yet round. Signified an evolving clarity in what I was thinking about at the end of this day. Abstract was written. My goals had not changed. What continued to change was my thinking about students and forming relationships with them. Now I think I am particularly good at the relationship with student part, at least on a personal level. Academic level? Hmmmmm...not so sure. Last year I did a lot of goal setting but it was rather directed from me. "Be the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage" said a professor of mine. Ok, but can I do that with goals? What if they pick something I don't feel is worthy?? See the second part of the reflective post:
Particularly the part where I was reminded to listen to your students, and don't be afraid to let them suggest changes in your practice. Many MGI staff helped me begin to see the significance in focusing on the reflection process, and not so much on my thoughts on the goal.Clear = I'd like to think it was all clear as the week neared it's end, which it wasn't, but it seemed like a fitting bead to put. I had gained clarity on how to phrase my Action Research question and clean up my abstract. I did have an excellent conversation with Life about my idea and how to begin structuring my thinking about writing the meat of the work. What is the academic benefit of reflection? Are there more than one? What is significant about how students communicate their thinking. All of these were part of my thinking this day. Connecting with colleagues, just like connecting with students, really matters. That was some clarity.
Green = It's go time! That was an easy choice. I really enjoyed sharing the beads at the closure parts of each day because it forced me to face the fears of talking about something I had never made before. It forced me to talk about myself. Wow, it really is about where you end up and not where you started. It really is about the process of reflection, and maybe not so much about the specific content of what I am reflecting on.
Personal Learning
I have to include this part as MGI has been as much about taking personal risks for me as it is about academic work. Personal meets content. That's the beauty of teaching. It's super scary being in a place with such amazingly talented people. For the second straight year I found that the growth and risk taking in that area is directly connected with the work I will ask students to do. Walk the walk.
Take a chance and walk through the door. If you don't take the chance, then you never can get the benefits of what is on the other side. This applies academically, from taking chances to meet with students and ask them about their work, to really listen to them as they make their next steps. It's also personal, like asking others to throw a frisbee or sing in front of a crowd. You never know, and getting past that door is the first part.
Sometimes you take a risk and you actually succeed! Put your best foot forward, be brave, be silly, work together, and you may just win even when you thought there wasn't much of a chance. In the classroom I can tell students that I tried, and I hope they will too. In the classroom I can have students just begin with one step, and then they are off and learning. Who knew how that scavenger hunt would turn out!? Who knows what students will realize if given the chance. Coffee and donuts may await!
Colleagueship. Yes, take time to listen to your students and take time to get to make those relationships. Making connections with colleagues is just as important. What you learn from others is as strong as what you can learn in class. Sometimes, though, you won't be feeling so successful and you will watch others shine. Others will always be better. It's ok to watch, but it may have been better to give it a go with what you have to offer. Again risk taking.
And sometimes what you have to offer can make you feel good. Bring yourself, your own set of skills, your own talents and participate. Do it your way but make sure it's your best effort.
Two kids of goals, academic and personal. I guess it shouldn't be surprising now that it's happened but the interconnected nature of this year's experience really is special. This blogging has been what I want it to be for my students as they dive into collecting evidence and reflecting on it. A natural place of individual expression of thinking and work. Let it evolve, let it represent you.
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