What’s coaching got to do with glitter?

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Jo Prestia

This week’s #2PencilChat moderated by @nathan_stevens in @MagicPantsJones’ absence was on the topic of Glitter. Now while you’re probably in doubt as to its validity, it actually was quite an inspiring chat. Stevens used glitter as an analogy to do with education, with teachers, students and learning.

Question from #2PencilChat 7/6/16

Since I used my blog hour time participating in the chat, it got me thinking…

Thinking

“What does glitter have to do with my idea for a blog post on coaching?”

So here it is… (Hilariously I wrote this while waiting for my dad at the dentist!)

1. Coaching has been around forever and it is slowly infiltrating our schools in a positive way, so hopefully, like glitter, it will hang around and infiltrate every corner from leadership to students, from grounds people to parents.

2. Glitter adds sparkle to every project, so too should coaching in schools ignite a passion for learning, setting goals for improvement and actioning ideas to promote optimal learning and teaching.

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/91620173646780264/?from_navigate=true

3. Glitter surprises people, especially if it is included in the envelope containing a Christmas card (no I’m not apologising for this) – just making a point about the element of surprise in coaching especially after a coaching conversation where the coachee realises they can and has a way forward which they themselves developed!

4. Glitter is plural, only as a handful or more does it make an impact. Collaboration is the impact in coaching. Coaching needs lots of people and a positive mindset to make a difference. Coaches need other coaches to help them grow and develop the skills to coach. Coachees need to be open to sharing and to believe in themselves as change agents, just as much as coaches believe in them.

handful of glitter

5. Glitter is made up of all shapes and sizes just as coaching in our schools can be seen in all manner of ways. In coaching everyone is learning, everyone is responsible for growth, no matter what your title or position, coaching is about the coachee – be all in, grab that chance to sparkle and make a difference to learning and teaching in our schools!

Yes, I think coaching is a lot like glitter. Get out there and sparkle!
Thanks for reading 🙂

Contemplating reflection – some practical applications for my pre-service teachers

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Jo Prestia

My dear pre-service teachers,

I was very excited when finally one of my career goals was realised earlier this year with an appointment to run a tutorial group of pre-service teachers.

Excited

I have a great bunch of 2nd year students who will one day embark on the greatest of professions. Teaching, after all, is what allows all other life’s dreams to come true. Have you thought about that? Teachers make all other professions possible. For many of us it’s about making a difference. That’s what sets us apart – I believe I can make a difference even if it takes years and years, I’m never giving up!

Reading and digesting the text

The other day I was reading my chapters from our text book – I figure if my pre-service teachers have to read it, so should I (yes I know you don’t all read the chapters!). Much of what is written I have encountered over the last 30 years in schools but every now and then I find a gem or two that makes me think…Ahhh yes!

So I thought as part of my first ‘blog hour’ – my coach had me set a goal of one hour per week because I mentioned in a telecoaching session last week that I really miss writing my blog. It seems to be the one thing I always set aside till next time because there’s some other more important task to complete. Well, now that’s over and here I am feeling happy and comfortable – early morning writing 🙂

So…about my first ‘blog hour’ – easily distracted is what I would have on my school report!

Back to this particular chapter – the one on reflective practice -are you reading this my pre-service teachers? I’m just about to surmise it for you – as if you picked up my copy and only had to read the highlighted sections and border notes.

“No matter how well you are doing in your teaching, there’s always room for improvement and refinement” (Churchill et al., 2016, p. 482).

Reflecting on practice is not always about mending what doesn’t work or reviewing those classes that just didn’t go the way you were expecting them to evolve. It’s also very much about celebrating what did work and will work in the future. Put the failed class behind you as there will be many of them, don’t let them defeat you. Instead soon after talk it out with your mentor or a friend who understands, record your thoughts, that’s what iphones are really made for, blog it out, write it in your teacher journal, anything, just get it out while it’s fresh, and don’t forget to make it more than just a re-tell, incorporate the skill of critique and ask yourself; Why? How?

Reflective questions

“Reflection … entails making sense of what occurred, not just reporting on it or repeating it back at a later time” (p. 484).

‘Real’ teaching is reflection in action (p. 485) that is thinking about and reflecting simultaneously while practising. It is simply the act of learning by doing and is only possible while planning, teaching and assessing. By the way this also works for your students, don’t forget to plan for it!

Speaking of which, students are a great feedback tool. They tell it like it is and we should all make efforts to ask them for feedback. It doesn’t always have to be formal and after the completion of a session or unit. Listening as they go about their learning is a powerful tool in gaining insights into what they can offer by way of data for your reflective practice. Even the silence is important – what was not said or asked?

“Observations can be done from a distance; listening requires proximity and intimacy” (Schultz, 2003 in Churchill, 2016, p. 489).

Take the time to ‘learn your students’ and while listening is a really important avenue so is watching, and learning them as a way to then take action. If you are interested in formal feedback it doesn’t always have to be an arduous task, feel free to download

Taking too long?

Reload document

Open in new tab

Download

and use it with your younger students to gain insights into how they perceive what is going on in your classes. Don’t take it personally but use feedback as a tool to continually improve your practice.

Another avenue for collecting data on which to reflect is via a critical friend. This will mean inviting a trusted colleague into your class to observe a pre-determined aspect of your teaching and then give their feedback. Video recording just 10 minutes of your class is also a great way to reflect on practice. Turning the camera towards the students, similar to how a go-pro operates offers even further insights.

From a teacher’s perspective

It also got me thinking my pre-service teachers that while on placement you might contemplate asking your peers to come and observe your teaching – yet another interesting perspective.

Using technology to reflect

In this technological world there are a myriad of ways one can record reflective practice: video diary, blog, wiki, journal, word doc, instagram, etc., but have you thought about twitter? As a social media outlet I have found it to be an inspiration in my own teaching and learning and have a wonderful professional learning network of outstanding educators with whom I interact and share my practice. I would highly recommend it – you can’t judge until you try it. You can read more about my twitter experience here.

As you’ve probably concluded I use this blog as reflective practice and cannot say enough as to it’s value for me as an educator and learner. I write about many aspects of my life and always use them as a reflection of how we can be better.

“As an action-orientated habit of mind, critically reflective practice can offer new insights that will improve our work and our relationships with our students … far from being ‘busy work’, reflection is an essential component to … [our] work as teachers” (p. 502).

I once again encourage you my pre-service teachers to begin recording your experiences, thoughts, questions, think out loud through your reflective journal and “when [you as] novice teachers move beyond thinking about … [your] teaching as ‘doing’ to conceptualising how … [your] ‘doing’ informs … [your] practice, … [you] are on the road to turning … [your] experience into expertise” (p. 503).

I am so very happy to be part of that learning journey with you.

How will you record reflective practice? Please share your thoughts by commenting below.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Reference

Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N. F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., Mackay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M. C., Nicholson, P. & Vick, M. (2016). Teaching: Making a difference. Milton, QLD, Australia: John Wiley and Sons.

Moonshots and other really cool shooting stars

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Jo Prestia

Last Sunday night’s Aussie Ed tweet chat was all about moonshots.

A Moonshot is literally the launch of a rocket into space. In more recent times the term has been introduced in education as a means to think ‘big’, think ‘innovatively’, think ‘huge’, think ‘change the world’ one small step at a time. It can be big or small, done on your own or in collaboration with others.

What we said

The first question in the #aussieED chat asked this: In your opinion, what is a moonshot? My initial response was

What is a moonshot?

You’ll notice my question mark at the end – obviously I had not heard this before and was taking a stab at it. As the chat continued and others shared their thoughts, it got me thinking about my own personal experiences with moonshots and those of the people around me, family, friends, students, colleagues, and parents. I really enjoyed reading what others thought about moonshot. I’d like to share a few here.

Kim said this

A crazy idea

I love this! I’ll admit I’ve had some really crazy ideas over the years and was not afraid to see if they could go anywhere. My crazy idea that I could write a book came about simply because I thought I could. Mostly it’s pretty much finished but needs a little tinkering and possibly updating given I began writing it some years ago. Maybe I’ll shoot this one early next year.

Joel said this

It just won’t work…(really?)

This kind of comment just makes me more inclined to go after that which others think won’t work. I’m an optimist but more importantly I work hard to solve problems or issues. There are a great many things out there that people thought impossible – imagine if we still thought the world was flat and if you went to the edge you’d fall and plunge to destruction. Thank goodness that belief was proved wrong. What else? Better still what other beliefs are there today that could be holding us back?

I’d like you to imagine a place where all children had the opportunity to learn in their own preferred way but also engage in other ways of learning so as to grow their repertoire as an ‘all round’ learner. Imagine a place where children and adults collaborated to change the world to make it an equitable, safe and sustainable place for all living creatures. Some have already started but it would be much more logical if we all worked towards it. So…let’s do it!

We can begin making a difference by taking Carl’s advice and developing a plan to save the world. Impossible? Do you mean making the plan or saving the world? Nothing is impossible.

Carl’s plan

As Steve points out:

Steve said this

It is most important that we adults model how to deal with failure; after all without it we cannot learn. To make a mistake we have to take a risk, if we fail, we analyse why it happened and move on to make it better next time. Imagine if Edison stopped work after blowing up the first bulb.

Never give up

Shake it out

Shake it out

I really like Karen’s idea of a moonshot too. I enjoy shaking things up – in fact I make trouble all the time. I say what I think and I back it up because taking a shot at something you truly believe will make a difference – so worth it. A major component of moonshots is to believe.

http://www.collegenetwork.com/blog/positive-self-talk-i-know-i-can-do-this

Last week I had to deal with a family issue interstate but had a consulting gig already booked which couldn’t be undone. So I asked a colleague if they would consider workshopping it for me. I never doubted her ability to do it – not because I’m so good but because she is. It’s a little like paying it forward – someone gave me a chance to shine long ago so I’m passing it on. Its success is in your hands.

exploding moonshots

What’s your moonshot?

Thanks for reading 🙂

AussieEd chats on twitter happen Sunday nights 8:30 pm AEST #aussieED

Understanding the ‘cryptic assessment task’: The English Language Proficiency problem.

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Jo Prestia

This week I attended a presentation at Monash University about English Language Proficiency (ELP) at university level. I recently secured a casual position at the University as a Conversational English Programs Facilitator, so this event was timely and very relevant and I’m glad to have received an invitation.

I’m very excited about this position and hope to make a difference and assist as best I can with academic and conversational English in particular, for our international students at Monash. The Senior Manager, Marta Skrbis, at Conversational English Programs provided some details regarding numbers: there are currently over 580 000 international students studying in Australia and it is expected that by 2020 Australia will be hosting 1 million students from overseas countries. At Monash in 2015 there are almost 24000 international students, that’s close to 40% of total enrolments! WOW!

Are you getting the picture as to why ELP is on the agenda and should remain on the agenda? People think that just because students are enrolled at university level they automatically have proficiency (competency) in English. The presentation covered many important elements but at the top of my agenda for the sake of this post remaining at an acceptable word count I would like to focus on ‘cryptic assessment tasks’ (as one audience member described them). You see the questions that got my attention, thanks to one of three speakers, Dr Rowena Harper, were thought provoking:

Is English the problem?
Is it students who are struggling?

dictionary entry

As a secondary school teacher I have to say that university is not the only place one can find ‘cryptic assessment tasks’. Over the years I have come across some extraordinary tasks that have been distributed to students and that have successfully extended them as learners. They have been creative, challenging and even fun to do. Other tasks have been successfully differentiated to meet individual learners’ needs, some even modified effectively. And yes there is a difference.

So what are ‘cryptic assessment tasks’? They are such that what is asked of the student is not clear cut. It may contain words the student cannot decipher -I don’t mean that they can’t look it up in the dictionary for definition- I mean they cannot apply the ‘skill’ it requires of them because they have not yet been taught how.

Take for example this task: Summarise the main points in the following article and reflect on the message it is trying to relay to the reader.

Okay let’s highlight the key words:

Summarise the main points in the following article and reflect on the message it is trying to relay to the reader.

So these are the VERBS -the actions the student must undertake in order to be successful in realising the task objective. Let’s take SUMMARISE – what does that mean? Sorry, I didn’t finish the thought -What does it mean to one who is not proficient in English? (Please note: This is not only those students with an additional language, or those born overseas, or recent arrivals but also those who were born here). You see one major factor that came out of the presentation was that ELP is for ALL students. Another important aspect is that ELP is really about COMMUNICATION PROFICIENCY – spoken and written.

Here are the first three hits on google using the words ‘definition summarise’:

1. give a brief statement of the main points of (something),

2. to make a summary of; state or express in a concise form,

3. using your own words to shorten a piece of text so that it includes only the essential information.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/

Now to the next verb: REFLECT. For this definition I’m going to use part of Rowena’s slide from the presentation. In this context,

It also has very little to do with a mirror.

Lithograph by M. C. Escher, 1935

And lastly, RELAY.

passing the baton

Now, if the student had some experience of athletics or swimming then he or she might think it means taking turns with a team of people but did you also know that a relay is an electrically operated switch? Of course, in this case we mean it to be communicate, tell, share… or maybe it means analyse, synthesise, evaluate? Does the student know which and how?

Let’s return to the original task: Summarise the main points in the following article and reflect on the message it is trying to relay to the reader.

Let me ask you this: As the teacher, what would you do first?

Read the article to the class?

Have students take turns to read aloud?

Have them read it silently?

Set the task for homework?

Set up some sort of collaborative task for them?

What?

Let me tell you what I would do first as the teacher; I would make sure they understand what it means to summarise, reflect and relay, in THIS context. I would provide examples and begin the discussion.

The task can wait.

Your thoughts…?

Thanks for reading 🙂

A week’s reflections: teaching & learning.

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Jo Prestia

I had a really great day at uni today. My colleague PhD students and I attended yet another couple of Friday workshops come info sessions to do with our work as researchers – or should I say our learning -it’s not really work when I think about it. There are three of us who are tight, who studied the post grad in ed research together in 2013 and then moved onto a PhD. My colleagues are now full time students which means they will be up for confirmation this year, one has only a few more weeks to be ready. All three of our PhD research topics are extensions of our minor thesis from two years ago but with a more detailed approach which to me only exposes our love and interest in the topics and our wish to delve deeper and to know more. We have accomplished much over the last four weeks and learned so much about ourselves and each other as research students and I think we all have some desire to grow more and even see ourselves as academics – well at least I do to some extent, but I want to also continue to be an educator and learner.

I also started a new job this week. The next two terms will see me working four days a week at a Catholic secondary school as a Peer Support Leader. I get to work, and learn, with the Education Support Department and also have a role to do with peer support – which is peer appraisal but not peer appraisal because it’s a dirty term in schools, so we don’t use the latter term in case teachers think they are being judged.

Well, I have news – we are judged. We are judged all the time every minute of the day while at school and even when we are not. The sooner we realise this, the better it will be and the sooner we can get on with the teaching and learning our students are entitled to, and deserve. It seems to me that some of us could do with a reflective exercise where we take a step back and have a real hard look at ourselves from the perspective of others. Now I’m not one to give a damn about what others think but I really feel that sometimes it’s a good idea to take time out and just watch, listen and learn.

That’s pretty much what I have been doing for the first four day week in my new position. As you know, if you read my blog regularly, I am an avid follower of twitter chats, and have written on some of my favourites in other posts. I always learn much on these chats and have picked up so many images and ideas that I gladly share with others. Tonight’s #BFC530 chat was no exception and thanks to @2learnthink I picked up this little gem. I really think that not only should it be pinned to every classroom door but posted at every school gate. “In this SCHOOL, everyone is a student and everyone is a teacher.”

There is also another image I have picked up along the way and used many times and one that I have been thinking about all week as I have been watching, listening and learning. This one I think speaks volumes, both positively and negatively.

Positive because there are those among us who are getting on with it and negative in the fact that we have to say it. Really sometimes we just have to get out of the way and let others get on with it. It’s not about power, or at least it shouldn’t be, it’s about EMPOWERMENT, taking responsibility, allowing failure so as to learn. By this I don’t mean catastrophic failure – surely it is our responsibility to be there to ensure this doesn’t happen, but I mean allow risk taking, with scaffold, supports and sensible direction to enable learning, to enable others to model and experiment and then allow for reflection – action – re-plan – reflection – action – re-plan. Sometimes we just need someone, many times in fact, we just need someone to shut up and listen. We don’t always want, or even need, them to solve the problem or take any action but simply, LISTEN. There’s been a lot of that this week.

And…what have I learned this week?

I’ve learnt that the minute we think we’ve solved all the issues and problems is the same minute we stop learning, taking risks, reflecting and working for the benefit of our future – our children.

Smart is cool!

Jo Prestia – Education Consultant

Tag Archives: thinking

What’s coaching got to do with glitter?

Contemplating reflection – some practical applications for my pre-service teachers

Moonshots and other really cool shooting stars

Understanding the ‘cryptic assessment task’: The English Language Proficiency problem.

A week’s reflections: teaching & learning.

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