Oh my goodness what a disaster!!!
Last night we had a skype meeting and one of our team just didn't turn up. who knows why??? I wish I had thought of not turning up, and in fact I think the other two members of my team wished I didn't turn up either. I didn't have a whole lot to contribute, because I still really have no clue what I am doing. They were both really kind even though I think their thoughts about me probably weren't so nice. In the end I just told them to pretend I was a grade 2 student and just tell me exactly what to do. I wont be offended and that way at least they will get the product they are striving for. After a 1hour and 14minute skype call I was just happy to agree with whatever they told me to do, and I think the feeling was mutual.
One thing I did learn about skype is that you can mute your microphone while you scream at your kids. The members of my team didn't even have to listen to it.
This afternoon after work I was very busy trying to do my bit of research so that hopefully I will have a bit more to contribute at our next meeting on Wednesday night.
Not only am I feeling like a hindrance to my group, but I couldn't get onto google docs so that I could add my bit, or at least see what the others had done. I'm really feeling like a disaster now, but my husband hinted that the reason was because I have used all of our download for this month and we don't have enough left to get onto it because now our system is on go VERY slow until Wednesday.
I started the semester off with great intentions and a great system to stay on top of my readings, but unfortunately due to sickness of my daughter and not going to running training (my reading time) I am hopelessly behind. As a result I have decided to jump ahead to where I should be and just start reading from there with every intention of going back to do the few readings I have missed.
Reading 11
Savage, W 1989, 'Communication: Process and problems', In Human resource management in education. C Riches & C Morgan (eds), Open University Press, Milton Keynes, pp103-119
"A school's business is children' - wow that's profound!
Communication: process and problems
People utilize many means of communication.
Types of communication
1. Intentional communication.
2. Unintentional communication
Most communication is evaluative in nature.
Communication becomes a two way process when there is an upward as well as downward flow of information.
Rumour is an unverified account of something, usually communicated at great speed. A rumour doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story.
Mass communication
A school principal attempts to communicate with the public through the use of some form of mass media.
Communication involves the transmission of information, ideas and attitudes. People tend to listen to messages that are in agreement with what they already believe and are favourable to 'their side'.
Communication must be repeated and reinforced.....Duh.
I'm off to bed, I think I just put myself to sleep with this incredibly boring reading!!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
No clue, No idea
Well I survived book week, we only had take away once last week which was impressive.
I was in bed by 8pm every night as I was so tired. On the up side I sold about $7000 in books at the book fair which was a great effort but also explained why I was so tired at the end of each day.
Uni work took a definite back seat during the week, but on Friday I was up early ready to complete my section of the group assignment. At the end of the day I had achieved virtually nothing. I spent the day trying to find information online, I ended up in many dead ends. By 3pm I still had not put pen to paper and the kids were walking in the door. I did however manage to post my mother's sun glasses to her, because after all they had been sitting here for 3 weeks so Friday was the day they HAD to be posted, I also bought a gift for a friends daughter who will be one at the end of next month, and 3 Fathers Day cards for the kids to give their dad next weekend, and not to mention the compulsory cup of coffee from the cafe with the long line. As you can see they were all things that just COULD NOT wait until the assignment was completed.
So here it is Sunday afternoon and I still have no clue what I am going to present to tonight's group skype call. I really am a liability to this group I think. Maybe the rest of the group will steer me in the right direction tonight. I certainly hope so.
I am really tired today, on the verge of tears because I don't feel like I am making any progress in either of my subjects, snapping at my family because for some reason everyone else needs to use the computer as well, and in desperate need of drawing up my meal plan for the month of September as August has come to an end and if I don't have my meal plan I will have no idea what meals to serve up to my family for the rest of this month.
Oh well back to the Internet to find more information for tonight's meeting.
I was in bed by 8pm every night as I was so tired. On the up side I sold about $7000 in books at the book fair which was a great effort but also explained why I was so tired at the end of each day.
Uni work took a definite back seat during the week, but on Friday I was up early ready to complete my section of the group assignment. At the end of the day I had achieved virtually nothing. I spent the day trying to find information online, I ended up in many dead ends. By 3pm I still had not put pen to paper and the kids were walking in the door. I did however manage to post my mother's sun glasses to her, because after all they had been sitting here for 3 weeks so Friday was the day they HAD to be posted, I also bought a gift for a friends daughter who will be one at the end of next month, and 3 Fathers Day cards for the kids to give their dad next weekend, and not to mention the compulsory cup of coffee from the cafe with the long line. As you can see they were all things that just COULD NOT wait until the assignment was completed.
So here it is Sunday afternoon and I still have no clue what I am going to present to tonight's group skype call. I really am a liability to this group I think. Maybe the rest of the group will steer me in the right direction tonight. I certainly hope so.
I am really tired today, on the verge of tears because I don't feel like I am making any progress in either of my subjects, snapping at my family because for some reason everyone else needs to use the computer as well, and in desperate need of drawing up my meal plan for the month of September as August has come to an end and if I don't have my meal plan I will have no idea what meals to serve up to my family for the rest of this month.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Skype conference call
Last night my group had our first ever conference call. The scheduled time was pushed back by half an hour, but finally right on time 3 out of 4 members of our group got together on skype.
We had a great chat, pretty much talking about every thing else except the assignment..... It turns out (1) one of our members has been a school principal for over 20 years.
(2) We all hate group assignments.
(3) We think we should be given more information in relation to information we may need for an assignment much sooner instead of the week before it is due.
(4) One group member failed an assignment in a previous subject last semester, the first time ever for her as she is used to getting HD's at uni......Not confidence building information I must say.
(5) Everyone in my group is fabulous and a lot of fun to be with.
(6) Principals aren't as bad as we are led to believe....
Anyway we ploughed through our topics and agreed to get back together next weekend at the same time.
The fourth member of our group used skype to call me just after we had finished. She had been caught up at school doing the most amazing book week display I have ever seen......
Today was the first day of book week so all TL's will be exhausted this week. Maybe take away is in order more than once this week.
We had a great chat, pretty much talking about every thing else except the assignment..... It turns out (1) one of our members has been a school principal for over 20 years.
(2) We all hate group assignments.
(3) We think we should be given more information in relation to information we may need for an assignment much sooner instead of the week before it is due.
(4) One group member failed an assignment in a previous subject last semester, the first time ever for her as she is used to getting HD's at uni......Not confidence building information I must say.
(5) Everyone in my group is fabulous and a lot of fun to be with.
(6) Principals aren't as bad as we are led to believe....
Anyway we ploughed through our topics and agreed to get back together next weekend at the same time.
The fourth member of our group used skype to call me just after we had finished. She had been caught up at school doing the most amazing book week display I have ever seen......
Today was the first day of book week so all TL's will be exhausted this week. Maybe take away is in order more than once this week.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
date change
Yay, another thing I have just learned.
I just changed the date on my blog.
It was bugging me that it was a day behind so I looked up the settings and found Sydney in the date and time selection and clicked on it. How easy was that???? I am now up to date and my blogs now make a whole lot more sense to me.
I just changed the date on my blog.
It was bugging me that it was a day behind so I looked up the settings and found Sydney in the date and time selection and clicked on it. How easy was that???? I am now up to date and my blogs now make a whole lot more sense to me.
Skype
My husband just asked me if I planned on using skype frequently as it had used a lot of our download. How clueless am I? I didn't even realise it used download.
Apparently my chat with Roy the other night used the equivalent of downloading 2 television shows. In our house that can be a disaster, especially when we are downloading a series like the Amazing race or Survivor.
Anyway the solution to my download problem is a relative simple one as I see it, just pay extra and increase the download capacity each month....besides I should be able to claim it on my tax as the extra usage is being used for this course.
So yet another thing I have learned about technology....Skype uses lots of download!
Apparently my chat with Roy the other night used the equivalent of downloading 2 television shows. In our house that can be a disaster, especially when we are downloading a series like the Amazing race or Survivor.
Anyway the solution to my download problem is a relative simple one as I see it, just pay extra and increase the download capacity each month....besides I should be able to claim it on my tax as the extra usage is being used for this course.
So yet another thing I have learned about technology....Skype uses lots of download!
Reading 7- Leadership and strategy
Cheng, YC 2002, "Leadership & strategy', in The Principles and practice of educational management, T Bush & L Bell (eds), Paul Chapman Publishing, London, pp51-69.
Concepts of Leadership
Leadership is seen to be related to the process of influencing others' behaviour and to goal development and achievement.
Traditional leadership theories concentrates on management techniques and interpersonal skills. However, from a Transformational perspective the leader is one who motivates people to do more than they are originally expected to do according to Bass (1985).
Domains of leadership influence
The affective performance refers to personal commitment.
The behavioural performance refers to general leadership behaviour.
The cognitive performance refers to building values and beliefs about education and management.
The influence process is a holistic way to perform leadership.
Five-dimensions of leadership
1. Human leadership
2. Structural leadership
3. Political leadership
4. Cultural leadership
5. Educational leadership
Leadership for multiple models of educational quality
* Goal developer
* Resource developer
* Process engineer
* Social leader and satisfier
* Environmental leader
* Supervisor
* Organisational developer
Staff members' continuous reflection on their actions and learning to improve and enhance their teaching and daily practice becomes a necessity (Schon, 1987; Watkins and Shindell, 1994).
So that's why we have to keep this reflective journal, it's not just a fill in time exercise after all!
Concepts of Leadership
Leadership is seen to be related to the process of influencing others' behaviour and to goal development and achievement.
Traditional leadership theories concentrates on management techniques and interpersonal skills. However, from a Transformational perspective the leader is one who motivates people to do more than they are originally expected to do according to Bass (1985).
Domains of leadership influence
The affective performance refers to personal commitment.
The behavioural performance refers to general leadership behaviour.
The cognitive performance refers to building values and beliefs about education and management.
The influence process is a holistic way to perform leadership.
Five-dimensions of leadership
1. Human leadership
2. Structural leadership
3. Political leadership
4. Cultural leadership
5. Educational leadership
Leadership for multiple models of educational quality
* Goal developer
* Resource developer
* Process engineer
* Social leader and satisfier
* Environmental leader
* Supervisor
* Organisational developer
Staff members' continuous reflection on their actions and learning to improve and enhance their teaching and daily practice becomes a necessity (Schon, 1987; Watkins and Shindell, 1994).
So that's why we have to keep this reflective journal, it's not just a fill in time exercise after all!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tom Tom was robbed!!!!
Well it is 12.19pm and I have just managed to get on the CBCA website to see the list of book winners for book week this year.
they are:
'How to heal a broken wing' by Bob Graham.
Now while Bob Graham's book is a nice little book, for educating an audience and for absolutely beautiful pictures you really can't go past Tom Tom. I feel that Rosemary Sullivan has been ripped off, even though she did get an honour award. after all no-one remembers the honour awards, just the winner.
'Collecting Colour' is the winner of this category. This is a nice enough book, even though I did get a bit emotional when reading 'Home and away' this winner is well thought out.
Oh well yet another award ceremony that is bound to get a community of librarians talking....
they are:
Early Childhood Book of the Year 2009
'How to heal a broken wing' by Bob Graham.
Now while Bob Graham's book is a nice little book, for educating an audience and for absolutely beautiful pictures you really can't go past Tom Tom. I feel that Rosemary Sullivan has been ripped off, even though she did get an honour award. after all no-one remembers the honour awards, just the winner.
Picture Book of the Year 2009
'Collecting Colour' is the winner of this category. This is a nice enough book, even though I did get a bit emotional when reading 'Home and away' this winner is well thought out.
Younger Readers Book of the Year 2009
The winner is Perry Angel’s Suitcase. I haven't seen this book yet, so I can't really comment.Book Week Display- Book Safari
Well I have the photos on the page. They are not laid out the way I would like, but I have no clue how to move them around the page so maybe next time I will get it better.Special thanks to Michelle Briggs a mother at my school who conceived and brought to life this wonderful book week display.
Database reading- A school without a principal
Barnett, D., McKowen, C. & Bloom, G. (1998). A school without a principal. Educational Leadership, 55(7), 48-49.
This article is based on real experiences at Anzar High School in where else but California.....
The teachers are all very positive about the school and say that it works well although it is not without its challenges. But of course they would say that because probably all of the staff that don't believe in the system have either left or didn't work there in the first place.
There is a set of guidelines that are followed to ensure that the school runs smoothly. They are:
(1) Commitment to practicing good communication.
(2) Collectively owning problems and collectively solving them. This means that teachers are learning to anticipate problems that would not always be apparent to teachers. They commit to the idea that the needs of the school outweigh the needs of individual teachers or of the teachers as a group.
(3) Allowing conflict and being accountable for speaking up.
(4) Commitment to help and support others.
(5) Commitment to honesty.
I wouldn't mind seeing a reality style television show of Anzar High School to see just how it operates. As it is in California I guess it's not out of the question that we may see it on our tv screens in the not too distant future.
All I can say is that I don't think I could work in that system, and nor would I want to send a child to that school, although after my experience of the public school system ( and some private schools) some schools would probably be better off without a principal!
This article is based on real experiences at Anzar High School in where else but California.....
The teachers are all very positive about the school and say that it works well although it is not without its challenges. But of course they would say that because probably all of the staff that don't believe in the system have either left or didn't work there in the first place.
There is a set of guidelines that are followed to ensure that the school runs smoothly. They are:
(1) Commitment to practicing good communication.
(2) Collectively owning problems and collectively solving them. This means that teachers are learning to anticipate problems that would not always be apparent to teachers. They commit to the idea that the needs of the school outweigh the needs of individual teachers or of the teachers as a group.
(3) Allowing conflict and being accountable for speaking up.
(4) Commitment to help and support others.
(5) Commitment to honesty.
I wouldn't mind seeing a reality style television show of Anzar High School to see just how it operates. As it is in California I guess it's not out of the question that we may see it on our tv screens in the not too distant future.
All I can say is that I don't think I could work in that system, and nor would I want to send a child to that school, although after my experience of the public school system ( and some private schools) some schools would probably be better off without a principal!
Reading 6
My next reading is Beck, J. & Yeager, N. (1994). Making teams work: An underused window of opportunity. In The leader's window: Mastering the four styles of leadership to build high-performing teams (pp. 183-206). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Teams fail to achieve their goals because of the fierce individualism in our culture. However, a high-performing team is one that has high involvement from the leader and everyone on the team adopted a can-do attitude. They also found ways to celebrate their successes and developed a team spirit.
A group is not the same as a team
A team has a clear mission, inter-related goals, clear roles and responsibilities, and strategies with contingency plans.
Stages of Group Development
stage 1- Forming, polite communication, needs boundaries.
stage 2- Focusing. Questioning, power struggles. Decision-making procedures need to be clarified, challenge boundaries.
stage 3- Performing, productivity, shared responsibility and a clear sense of purpose. acceptance of boundaries.
stage 4- Levelling. Starts to ignore boundaries.
Wasted Time
Asking a group to decide is a huge trap for leaders. It usually ends in pointless debates, frustration, and wasted time.
In relation to the operation of my group I think we are still in the first stage of development, although I am quite happy to just perform as a group member with a leader, and Beryl or James seem to be stepping up into that position. I certainly won't be entering into any sort of power struggle.
Teams fail to achieve their goals because of the fierce individualism in our culture. However, a high-performing team is one that has high involvement from the leader and everyone on the team adopted a can-do attitude. They also found ways to celebrate their successes and developed a team spirit.
A group is not the same as a team
A team has a clear mission, inter-related goals, clear roles and responsibilities, and strategies with contingency plans.
Stages of Group Development
stage 1- Forming, polite communication, needs boundaries.
stage 2- Focusing. Questioning, power struggles. Decision-making procedures need to be clarified, challenge boundaries.
stage 3- Performing, productivity, shared responsibility and a clear sense of purpose. acceptance of boundaries.
stage 4- Levelling. Starts to ignore boundaries.
Wasted Time
Asking a group to decide is a huge trap for leaders. It usually ends in pointless debates, frustration, and wasted time.
In relation to the operation of my group I think we are still in the first stage of development, although I am quite happy to just perform as a group member with a leader, and Beryl or James seem to be stepping up into that position. I certainly won't be entering into any sort of power struggle.
Roy Rocks!
The other night when I was feeling really frustrated with my assignment I noticed that Roy was available on skype, so not one to miss an opportunity I called him. I think he may now be regretting my call. Whenever I asked him a question he would respond with something along the lines of "well what are you trying to achieve?" and I would respond with something along the lines of 'No clue!!". By the end of the 40minute conversation I think he may have been left scratching his head about how clueless I actually was, but he was gracious enough to encourage me and set me on my way. Now I am sitting here trying to work out just what he said from my notes...... Anyway it was great to have such easy access to my subject coordinator, if nothing else it has made me feel better.
I am also feeling fairly confident when it comes to using skype.
I am also feeling fairly confident when it comes to using skype.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Group work
Last night I used skype for the first time to communicate with Beryl who is in my group for our group assignment. all went well until we lost the sound and I couldn't hear her, then when I called her back I couldn't get my video to work. Oh well I guess it is all a learning experience.
We had a great chat and she was able to send me on the right track for my section of work as she successfully completed a subject last semester and this is my first subject.
It was great talking to her, although we drifted off the topic several times it was great to connect with her.
I think I am enjoying learning about and using all of this new technology and my son is over the moon as he can stay in contact with his school friend who has moved to live in Vietnam for 6 months.
All is good.
Not only that, but today I arrived at school to find that the library had been decorated by a couple of mothers for book week. It looks fantastic and it is clear that they had put in a fair bit of time to get such great results. Apparently they do it each year for the librarian I am currently relieving. I will try and remember to take photos tomorrow at school and post them on my blog.
We had a great chat and she was able to send me on the right track for my section of work as she successfully completed a subject last semester and this is my first subject.
It was great talking to her, although we drifted off the topic several times it was great to connect with her.
I think I am enjoying learning about and using all of this new technology and my son is over the moon as he can stay in contact with his school friend who has moved to live in Vietnam for 6 months.
All is good.
Not only that, but today I arrived at school to find that the library had been decorated by a couple of mothers for book week. It looks fantastic and it is clear that they had put in a fair bit of time to get such great results. Apparently they do it each year for the librarian I am currently relieving. I will try and remember to take photos tomorrow at school and post them on my blog.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
we have skype
Yay, my techno savvy neighbour has been in and helped me set up skype. She showed me how to use it and we called each other. It's a very exciting step for someone who is as technologically challenged as me. This course is really making me step out of my comfort zone and get 'up to date' with what is going on around me in the world. I am loving it and can't believe how far I have already come.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Reading 5- Law & Glover 2000
Yes Sheena there are going to be lots of words to read....sorry!
Team leadership is the only form of leadership acceptable in a society where power is shared and so many people are near equals. (Belbin 1993:107)
I just love that quote. It really sums up leadership in schools quite well.
Defining differences
6 factors as defined by Adair (1986)
1. a definable membership
2. Group consciousness
3. A sense of shared purpose
4. Interdependence
5. Interaction
6. ability to act in a unitary manner
In this reading a good meaning for group and team were given. I like many people just used to 2 terms interchangeably.
Group- 2 or more people working together.
Team- a deliberately constructed group where there is a clear focus on its processes and level of performance, have a sense of 'team-identification, have interconnecting and interdependent functions.
The route to team cohesion is likely to be both traumatic and problematic. Schutz (1966) identifies 3 stages of concern - 1. Inclusion 2. Control. 3. Affection
Teams often pull in different directions because their purpose is unclear.
Team Building Issues
Team building may be hindered by head teachers...( and don't we all know a head teacher who falls into this category???)
Conformity and Group norms
There are 2 kinds of pressure that push people to conformity according to Deutsch and Gerrard (1955). 1. Informational pressure.
2. Normative pressure
Teams, Roles and Performance
Most of the research revolves around identifying factors capable of improving team performance.
3 features to be aware of when working in a team.
1. Expectations
2. Functions
3.complexities
A group of high achievers don't necessarily make the best team. The most successful teams have a complementary range of skills.
according to Belbin's useful people to have in a team I am of no use to anyone as I don't seem to fit the criteria for a good team member no matter how hard I try. The closest I could come was the 'team worker' although I don't always promote harmony in a team....
I found it interesting that Murgatroyd (is that a real name???) and Gray found that classrooms largely act as mirrors of the organisation of the school as a whole. Isn't that the truth. When the boss is snappy and demanding the pressure flows into the classroom and the teacher gets snappy and demanding with the children, however when the school is positive and friendly this to overflows into the classroom.
Without effective communication, team cohesion has little chance.
Think I might go and reflect a bit on our group assignment because I really don't want to let my group down by not being a useful team member....
Team leadership is the only form of leadership acceptable in a society where power is shared and so many people are near equals. (Belbin 1993:107)
I just love that quote. It really sums up leadership in schools quite well.
Defining differences
6 factors as defined by Adair (1986)
1. a definable membership
2. Group consciousness
3. A sense of shared purpose
4. Interdependence
5. Interaction
6. ability to act in a unitary manner
In this reading a good meaning for group and team were given. I like many people just used to 2 terms interchangeably.
Group- 2 or more people working together.
Team- a deliberately constructed group where there is a clear focus on its processes and level of performance, have a sense of 'team-identification, have interconnecting and interdependent functions.
The route to team cohesion is likely to be both traumatic and problematic. Schutz (1966) identifies 3 stages of concern - 1. Inclusion 2. Control. 3. Affection
Teams often pull in different directions because their purpose is unclear.
Team Building Issues
Team building may be hindered by head teachers...( and don't we all know a head teacher who falls into this category???)
Conformity and Group norms
There are 2 kinds of pressure that push people to conformity according to Deutsch and Gerrard (1955). 1. Informational pressure.
2. Normative pressure
Teams, Roles and Performance
Most of the research revolves around identifying factors capable of improving team performance.
3 features to be aware of when working in a team.
1. Expectations
2. Functions
3.complexities
A group of high achievers don't necessarily make the best team. The most successful teams have a complementary range of skills.
according to Belbin's useful people to have in a team I am of no use to anyone as I don't seem to fit the criteria for a good team member no matter how hard I try. The closest I could come was the 'team worker' although I don't always promote harmony in a team....
I found it interesting that Murgatroyd (is that a real name???) and Gray found that classrooms largely act as mirrors of the organisation of the school as a whole. Isn't that the truth. When the boss is snappy and demanding the pressure flows into the classroom and the teacher gets snappy and demanding with the children, however when the school is positive and friendly this to overflows into the classroom.
Without effective communication, team cohesion has little chance.
Think I might go and reflect a bit on our group assignment because I really don't want to let my group down by not being a useful team member....
totally overwhelmed
Well today is my uni day. No going out for lunch or coffee with friends just a whole lot of hard work.
So far today I have signed up for skype. Unfortunately I have no idea ho to actually work it. Guess I will wait until my computer savvy neighbour gets home from work to help me. Also had to install a program for my new webcam I bought. Unfortunately that hasn't gone as smoothly as I hoped so will wait for my computer savvy husband to get home from work to show me how to do that properly. Quite clearly I am not vey tecno minded, but already in this course I have learnt more about technology than I had acquired in a lifetime.
Yesterday at work I had to make 2 borrowing cards for 2 new children at my school. Took me over an hour and then I made up the numbers to go on the card because I couldn't find the ones the computer spat out. Also accessioned 1 book........also took an hour!! Missed a staff meeting because I didn't realise the letters T&D meant training and development and are for the whole staff. Schools really should explain their jargon and letter abbreviations to new staff members. If I was in leadership that would be a priority. Also found out that I should be organising a book character parade for book week. No-one told me that it is on every second year and this is the year and book week is the week after next! So as you can see I am on a massive learning curve at the moment.
My goals for this semester are to be able to accession books quickly and accurately, use skype properly (I really feel sorry for my group) and eventually come up with a decent wiki.
At least by the end of this course I will have lots to write about because I came into it knowing nothing and by the end I should have some sort of knowledge.
I'm going to look at the readings I have done for this week so that I can add them to my blog.
So far today I have signed up for skype. Unfortunately I have no idea ho to actually work it. Guess I will wait until my computer savvy neighbour gets home from work to help me. Also had to install a program for my new webcam I bought. Unfortunately that hasn't gone as smoothly as I hoped so will wait for my computer savvy husband to get home from work to show me how to do that properly. Quite clearly I am not vey tecno minded, but already in this course I have learnt more about technology than I had acquired in a lifetime.
Yesterday at work I had to make 2 borrowing cards for 2 new children at my school. Took me over an hour and then I made up the numbers to go on the card because I couldn't find the ones the computer spat out. Also accessioned 1 book........also took an hour!! Missed a staff meeting because I didn't realise the letters T&D meant training and development and are for the whole staff. Schools really should explain their jargon and letter abbreviations to new staff members. If I was in leadership that would be a priority. Also found out that I should be organising a book character parade for book week. No-one told me that it is on every second year and this is the year and book week is the week after next! So as you can see I am on a massive learning curve at the moment.
My goals for this semester are to be able to accession books quickly and accurately, use skype properly (I really feel sorry for my group) and eventually come up with a decent wiki.
At least by the end of this course I will have lots to write about because I came into it knowing nothing and by the end I should have some sort of knowledge.
I'm going to look at the readings I have done for this week so that I can add them to my blog.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Oops
I think I pressed the wrong button and ended up posting before I had finished.
I guess that was another thing I have learned.
Two Types of Teams
1. The lead learning team- they are responsible for the strategic plan and the annual management plan and should have about 10-15 members ranging from the principal to ancillary staff.
2. The task learning team- they have to empower members of the school community. It is usually smaller than the lead team.
Roving Leadership
Task learning teams give opportunities for roving leadership in schools. Other members of the school are able to be mentored and coached by senior leaders of the school.
The thing I got most out of this reading is that collaborative decision making does not just happen but is a result of excellent training to develop expertise and the need for volunteers to want to be involved and not expected to be involved.
Oh well off to primary school soccer now.
I guess that was another thing I have learned.
Two Types of Teams
1. The lead learning team- they are responsible for the strategic plan and the annual management plan and should have about 10-15 members ranging from the principal to ancillary staff.
2. The task learning team- they have to empower members of the school community. It is usually smaller than the lead team.
Roving Leadership
Task learning teams give opportunities for roving leadership in schools. Other members of the school are able to be mentored and coached by senior leaders of the school.
The thing I got most out of this reading is that collaborative decision making does not just happen but is a result of excellent training to develop expertise and the need for volunteers to want to be involved and not expected to be involved.
Oh well off to primary school soccer now.
That sinking feeling
Well I survived my first week at work, but today I am exhausted and feeling just a little bit overwhelmed about our first group assignment. I really have no clue what to do and just seem to be getting more and more confused.
anyway back to what I have learned through my readings so far.
READING 4- Collaborative decision making with teams. By Hough and Paine.
I really enjoyed this reading and was able to recognise the different forms of decision making that had been made in all of the schools I have worked in.
although it was said that the autocratic style of decision making would be difficult to find in schools I can sadly say that I worked in a private school that operated in just this way.Indeed it was a difficult system to work in.
I do agree though that most schools work according to Bureaucratic model.
Although some schools appear to use the consultative method the sad fact is that many principals have their own agenda and only 'pretend' to consult with the school community and ultimately make the decision that they had originally wanted to make before the consultative process began.
I found it interesting that research has shown that the way a school is run will be reflected in the running of the classroom. An interesting point I have often commented on, but is nice that Hough and Paine have also stated this.
The Development of teams
A team is a group of people working together to achieve a common goal or output.
anyway back to what I have learned through my readings so far.
READING 4- Collaborative decision making with teams. By Hough and Paine.
I really enjoyed this reading and was able to recognise the different forms of decision making that had been made in all of the schools I have worked in.
although it was said that the autocratic style of decision making would be difficult to find in schools I can sadly say that I worked in a private school that operated in just this way.Indeed it was a difficult system to work in.
I do agree though that most schools work according to Bureaucratic model.
Although some schools appear to use the consultative method the sad fact is that many principals have their own agenda and only 'pretend' to consult with the school community and ultimately make the decision that they had originally wanted to make before the consultative process began.
I found it interesting that research has shown that the way a school is run will be reflected in the running of the classroom. An interesting point I have often commented on, but is nice that Hough and Paine have also stated this.
The Development of teams
A team is a group of people working together to achieve a common goal or output.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Steep learning curve
Today was the first day of my new job. It's in a primary school library. Having worked in a primary school library for the last 6 months I thought this would be a breeze....How little did I know.
My new library is two to three times larger than the previous one I worked in and I am discovering there is a lot to learn. All I can say is thank goodness for book week because at least I have a ready supply of new books to work with in my lessons. Today I spent an obsene amount of time trying to find some requested items for a teacher. Oh the joys of not knowing where to find them. After checking all of the obvious places and less obvious ones I was unable to find them. According to OASIS they are in the library which is incredibly frustrating. I can only assume that they have been 'borrowed' without being scanned correctly.
Hopefully this problem will resolve itself in the next couple of days.
Oh well off to my daughters running training and more time to be able to do my readings for this subject, although the way my head is pounding I'm not sure how much I will take in..
My new library is two to three times larger than the previous one I worked in and I am discovering there is a lot to learn. All I can say is thank goodness for book week because at least I have a ready supply of new books to work with in my lessons. Today I spent an obsene amount of time trying to find some requested items for a teacher. Oh the joys of not knowing where to find them. After checking all of the obvious places and less obvious ones I was unable to find them. According to OASIS they are in the library which is incredibly frustrating. I can only assume that they have been 'borrowed' without being scanned correctly.
Hopefully this problem will resolve itself in the next couple of days.
Oh well off to my daughters running training and more time to be able to do my readings for this subject, although the way my head is pounding I'm not sure how much I will take in..
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