the nest project: an innovative approach to teacher training
TRANSCRIPT
THE NEST PROJECT: AN INOVATIVE APPROACH TO
TEACHER TRAINING, GMIT LETTERFRACK.
LIN CONFERENCE 2011
Dr. Pauline Logue CollinsDr. Kate Dunne
Dr. Angelika Rauch Image 1
The NEST PROJECT researchers wish to thank:
Mr. Dermot O Donovan, Head of Department, GMIT Letterfrack, for facilitating the NEST pilot research (2010-2011) and for mainstreaming the NEST project (2011-2012);
The Design and Technology Education Student Teachers, GMIT, Letterfrack, for their engagement with NEST action-research, and their constructive critique of NEST;
Ms. Pauline Clancy, Counselling Services, GMIT, who provided
NEST Leadership Training for NEST Leaders.
Acknowledgements
NURTURING EXCELLENCE IN
STUDENT TEACHERS
What is NEST?
DATE LEADERS NON-LEADER PARTICIPANTS
Cycle 1: 2010-2011
15 24
Cycle 2:2011-2012
10 32
Nest Participation
NEST 2010-2011
NEST LEADERS
NEST 2010-2011 NEST PARTICIPANTS
NEST Roles & Responsibilities
LEADERS PARTICIPANTS
Facilitate meetings Provide model
samples Set targets Critique work Provide feedback Encourage/challenge Motivate participants Facilitate reflection
Work to targets Provide sample work
for review Respond to feedback Produce a highly
professional TP folder Liaise with leaders
while on TP Reflect on learnings
MENTORING SKILLSLEADERSHIP SKILLSREFLECTICE PRACTICEPROFESSIONALISMTEACHER COMPETENCE
Image 2
NEST Core Elements
Mentoring Skills
The GMIT mentoring model isrooted in Lev Vygotsky’s model of social constructivist teaching and learning:
Scaffolding ZPD Modelling
Image 3
LEADERS
Provide support & solidarity
Facilitate the management of learning
◦ Establish timelines◦ Target setting◦ Review progress◦ Encourage & challenge◦ Model best practice
Motivate peer learners
Image 4
Leadership Skills
Leaders are provided with Leadership Training by a trained facilitator;
This training is further enhanced in parallel modules, which explicitly explore:
◦ Leadership styles◦ Leadership theories◦ Group dynamics◦ Reflective Practice
Leadership Training
NEST participants reflect on personal growth, learning, and challenges, in relation to the planning for School Placement.
Image 5
Reflective Practice
NEST Leaders facilitate the professional development of peers in the areas of:
Schemes of Work Lesson Plans Teaching Resources Teaching Methods Teaching Strategies Professional Portfolios
Professionalism
NEST leaders facilitate Teacher Competence in the areas of:
Professional Resources
Classroom Management
Effective Teaching Tips
Subject Specialist Support
Reflective Practice
Image 6
Teacher Competence
NEST Certification
LEADERS PARTICIPANTS
NESTNURTURING EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT TEACHERS
This is to certify that
--------------------------------------------------------
has successfully completed a twelve week training programme as a
NEST LEADER.
NEST is a Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) voluntary student-teacher training programme aimed at developing the skills of
mentoring, leadership and reflective practice.
Signed
....................................Dr. Pauline Logue CollinsModule Leader- Education
Date
....................................
This is to certify that
--------------------------------------------------------
has successfully completed a twelve week training programme as a
NEST LEADER.
NESTNURTURING EXCELLENCE IN STUDENT TEACHERS
This is to certify that
--------------------------------------------------------
has successfully completed a twelve week training programme as a
NEST LEADER.
NEST is a Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) voluntary student-teacher training programme aimed at developing the skills of
mentoring, leadership and reflective practice.
Signed
....................................Dr. Pauline Logue CollinsModule Leader- Education
Date
....................................
This is to certify that
--------------------------------------------------------
has successfully completed a twelve week training programme as a
NEST PARTICIPANT.
AIM: ◦ To establish the overall effectiveness and viability
of the NEST project.
OBJECTIVES: ◦ Critical assessment of the development of
professional, peer mentoring, and leadership and reflective practice skills in all NEST participants;
◦ An analysis of the effectiveness of NEST reflective practice methods.
Research Aims & Objectives
NEST Research
ACTION RESEARCH
FOCUS GROUPS
INDIVIDUALINTERVIEW
S
Forty individual questionnaires with NEST research participants, conducted both prior to and subsequent to their School Placement (January to February 2011);
Two focus groups, post School Placement, 2011; one with NEST leaders and the other with non-leader participants.
Qualitative Research Methods
Research Analysis
MENTORING SKILLS
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
PROFESSIONALISM
REFLECTIVE PRACTICE
Research Findings
Benefits Challenges
NEST was considered to have great future potential;
The majority of participants benefited significantly;
The opportunity to develop leadership & mentoring skills was strongly appreciated;
Certification was considered useful for employment purposes.
NEST requirements were very time consuming;
The diary method of reflection proved ineffective;
Convening meetings while on School Placement was often problematic;
Some pairs were dysfunctional;
NEST was seen to be liminal within the Degree Programme.
NEST & Staff Development
Technology Enhanced Learning Module
(TEL)-Level 9
Further development of NEST;
Mainstreaming NEST- locating it within the official timetable & NEST reflections into lesson rationales;
Restructuring NEST pairs into NEST groups, in order to maximize collaborative learning;
Explore a variety of technological tools, to enhance NEST reflective practice & communications; ◦ Skype, Google+, Dropbox, e Mail, Instant Messaging, etc.
Research Recommendations
NEST photographic images by Angelika Rauch and Pauline Logue Collins, GMIT, 2010 -2011.
Photographic Images
Image 1, Bird Nest, Suvro Datta, at http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/Birds_g52-Birds_Nest_p11568.html, accessed 1/09/11;
Image 2, Mentoring, at http://www.officialtherefromhere.com/blog/2011/01/12/mentors-boomers-gen-x-and-gen-y-discuss-benefits-on-genychat-11211/, accessed 15/09/11;
Image 3 Mentoring, at http://sixfigurementorsinsider.com/thesixfigurementors/why-you-need-a-mentor/, accessed 15/09/11;
Image 4, Linked Hands, at http://raws.adc.rmit.edu.au/~s3326816/blog2/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Linked_hands.jpg, accessed 17/09/11;
Image 5 Reflective Journal, at http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy/keeping-a-reflective-learning-journal.php, accessed 15/09/11;
Image 6 Image Technical drawing, at http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Definition-of-Technical-Drawing.html, accessed 17/09/11
List of Digital Images