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Blog Reflection

  Final Blog Reflection By: Michelle Hobbs I believe my blog reflects careful consideration of existing knowledge. With a decade of experience in the IB/PYP program and having taught various curriculums around the world, I am always seeking to extend my learning and reflect on my practices. Given the high tuition that parents pay at international schools, there is often increased pressure to deliver a world-class, cutting-edge education. Yet, I recognize that there is still much I have yet to learn, and I embrace this ongoing journey. The beauty of education lies in its constant evolution, adapting to meet the needs of learners in specific contexts. In recent years, I have been focusing more on systems, school cultures, and the possibilities that exist beyond the classroom. Although I have never taught a Canadian First Nations student, the article “ As if Indigenous knowledge and communities mattered: transformative education in First Nations communities in Canada,” prompted me to...
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Innovation, Creativity, Teaching, Learning - Definitions Evolving Over time and the Reflections

  Final Glossary and Reflection By: Michelle Hobbs   Innovation in Education – Definition   Innovation in education is all about introducing new ideas and methods to improve how we learn. It’s about rethinking roles in schools and encouraging collaboration between teachers, students, and the community. This approach helps create engaging environments that reflect our diverse cultures and meet the needs of every learner.   Innovation in Education – Reflection   My initial thinking about innovation in education primarily focused on introducing new methods and reimagining approaches. Martin’s article “There's too much to teach: Cultural wealth in an age of scarcity” really impacted me as it helped me understand more deeply my own beliefs about innovation in education, which include reimagining roles, fostering collaboration and getting the community involved and engaged as experts to enhance the learning experience / reduce teacher overwhelm....
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Professional Development Reflection - Concept Based Inquiry

  Professional Development Reflection By: Michelle Hobbs Currently I am engaged in an 8 week long Professional Development course called “Concept-Based Inquiry in Action.” The course was developed by Rachel French and I am currently taking the course with Michelle Simpson, who trained under Rachel French. This course is being taken alongside many people at my current school, TIS Macao. Friday March 7, 2025 was the first ZOOM call and calls will continue for the next 8 upcoming weeks.  So far, I have read the introduction and first two chapters of the course book, “Concept-Based Inquiry in Action: Strategies to Promote Transferable Understanding” by Carla Marschall and Rachel French. I have also completed the first three course modules, along with all associated work, have made a post on the course forum, and have gone to the first ZOOM session. During our ZOOM call our main task was to work in groups to create a definition of student agency . While I am familiar with c...
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Women and Teaching, Learning and Education (2 of 2 self-selected entries)

  What is the context/argument being explored? The article “The Contradiction and the Challenge of the Educated Woman” explores the sexism inherent in historical attitudes regarding women being educated and women being employed at all, or in specific fields. It subsequently explores traditional gendered stereotypes about men and women and discusses how different historical figures viewed women. There are then different points of view about how women should participate in education and jobs, including the concept of being “disruptive”, assimilating and creating something entirely new. The article also explores how at the point of the article’s publishing, gender inequalities had still not been abolished. How do the ideas/arguments relate to your understanding of innovation in teaching and learning? Research states that girls tend to outperform boys academically in school, as a general rule, however that boys may be more confident (American Psychological Association). While I value b...
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Professional Learning Networks

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  Part 1: Initial Reflections             Firstly, I think it is important to acknowledge the colleagues that work with us in our respective schools, as they bring their own wealth of knowledge and expertise, and can also point us in the direction of various resources online. Coming into this assignment, I was already connected to several groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, however it had been years since I used Twitter so I asked a colleague for advice about finding interesting people on that platform. It was through my colleague that I also found out about a new platform that is similar to Twitter, that many educators are now joining, called BlueSky. I searched for some new people to add to my Twitter and Bluesky networks, by using hashtags. When I spoke of my interest in teacher well-being, earlier in the year, another colleague pointed me towards a professional on LinkedIn, who specialized in this area. The video What is a P...
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The Pressure of Running Running Running Towards Continuous Innovation - The Power of Professional Learning Communities (1 of 2 self-selected entries)

From the early days of being a teacher, many Canadians were taught that to be a lifelong learner is a necessary attribute in the field of education. Truly, it is, and the fact that this blog (connected to a Masters course I am taking) exists at all, is a testament to the idea that I believe that.  However, I think that some schools need to start asking themselves the question: How much is too much?  While lifelong learning is essential for educators, schools must balance the introduction of new initiatives with an opportunity for reflection and mastery.  I think sometimes schools (administration and school boards) also need to slam on the breaks when it comes to how many new things teachers are expected to see, experience, process, use, and reflect on at one given time. If we want quality outcomes, we need quality time and sufficient energy to reflect upon what we already do, and to build a foundation brick by brick, so that teachers can truly excel in certain areas, rath...
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Contemporary Issues in Innovation, Teaching and Learning

  What is the context/argument being explored?  “Assessing Creativity in Formal Education” explores the complexities of evaluating creativity in formal education settings. It argues against the idea that creativity is an innate talent, instead suggesting that it can be nurtured through structured learning. The author’s emphasize that creativity must be assessed through specific aspects such as: knowledge of context, skill sets, understanding of the process, outcomes and originality. They highlight the pitfalls of traditional assessment methods which often focus solely on the final product, neglecting the learning journey involved. How do the ideas/arguments relate to your understanding of innovation in teaching and learning? This exploration of creativity relates directly to ideas about innovation in education. Creativity requires critical thinking, adaptability and with regards to teaching, a focus on teaching in a holistic manner. Modern teaching philosophies also emphasize ...
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