Reflection for Domain 1: Professional Learning and Identity

This reflection is about the progress I have made on the goals that I set two weeks ago when I began the Core Theory and Foundations of Specialist Teaching Paper at Albany University where I attended a three day block course, 13 February - 15 February.


When thinking about my year, I feel very privileged to have the time and space in my professional life to have so many learning opportunities.  I know that the learning is more about the process than the outcome and think that I have made some progress in developing my competency and skills in a range of digital literacy skills. 


Using Blogger as a way to record my reflections and learning journey is one thing that I have really enjoyed.  It has enabled me to reflect throughout the process rather than at an end point which is what I often have done in the past, only reflected out of accountability and having to for my professional management requirements.  I am learning that reflecting is an essential part of my professional learning.  I have mentioned in some of my other reflections that with my new role this year, I have extended travel time which allows me both some personal wellbeing space and some time to process my work and reflect which I am finding very helpful.


One area that I haven't made much progress in is my wellbeing goals as I have been very busy over the last few weeks.  I hope to be able to prioritise my time better to allow space in my schedule to focus on my wellbeing goals.  As my mother frequently tells me, "You can't help anyone if you don't help yourself Jess" - words of the wise that hinder my thoughts.


Another area that I would like more opportunity to develop are my academic skills.  Most of my reflections have been written informally and my posts on the forums on Moodle have been short and not written in academic writing so this is something that I would like to add to my goals - practice academic writing regularly in forum posts over the first semester.


A question I have asked myself after reading the material in the Domain One book is: Are my goals written as SMART-EST goals and I wonder if there is a tool that can help to analyse goals to ensure they are well written?


I am looking forward to the next Domain to see if I am able to use MyPortfolio with more ease and competence.  I will be asking at my whānau group whether I can turn on the 'skins' function to make my pages more aesthetically pleasing.