PME 810 Final Course Reflections

Reflections on PME 810

As this was my first course in the PME program, I feel as though I have experienced a steep learning curve over the past month. Navigating the technological aspect including the creation of a website and introductory video was challenging for me, and it has been beneficial for me to get back into some deeper curricular reading. I found it somewhat difficult to figure out how this online course worked at the beginning, but in the end, I am feeling more comfortable interacting and collaborating with my colleagues.

Collaboration with my primary team is an important part of my current teaching practice, but this course reemphasized the necessity of working with our colleagues to help clarify information, discover new ideas, and to have people keeping us flexible and accountable. If I was confused or needed some exemplars in this course, I would peruse the discussion board. Reading other posts challenged me to think differently, to keep moving forward, and solidified Ornstein's assertion that our approach to education reflects who we are including our values, perceptions, and knowledge. We are learners, just like our students, and discussion opens our minds to new growth in our practice.

This course has also given me an improved repertoire of educational language to contribute to discussion and to articulate my own educational philosophy. I now understand some of the history of curricular conceptions and designs, and I am better able to understand others' points of view. By having a better understanding of myself, I feel like I am able to clarify and accomplish my own goals as a teacher as well.

I am starting a new school year with enthusiasm. Professional Learning Communities have given me new and practical ideas for my grade two class, and I feel more competent and confident using an inquiry-based approach to my instruction, inspired by some of the TED talks and videos I explored in this course. I will continue to collaborate with others as I proceed on my learning journey, and I hope to meet more of my colleagues in this course along the way in other PME courses.

Thank you for contributing to my learning!

Laura