INTRODUCTION

Kia Ora.

My name is Jacqui Christie-Cumming and I teach Humanities subjects at Buller High School. My Mind Lab journey began in March with 16 weeks of travel from Westport to Greymouth along the magnificent Coast Road. Although the trip added 4 hours and 200 km to each week’s session, valuable discussion occurred along the way with my wonderfully supportive colleague and friend, Miriam Comeskey. 

This adventure, in all its facets, has been empowering, frustrating, enlightening, confusing … and most definitely worthwhile. 

The topics this blog will cover are:

1. Defining practice: My community of practice
2. Issues of socio-economic factors, school culture and professional environments in relation to practice
3. Practice in the context of different audiences (local/national and/or international) and their perspectives
4. How Indigenous knowledge and cultural responsiveness inform my practice
5. Issues of ethics law, regulations and policy in my digital practice
6. The use of social online networks in teaching and professional development 
7. Interdisciplinary connections in practice: Crossing boundaries – Creating connections
8. Changes in practice