Well, the Literature Review is complete, and now in the hands of the Mind Lab Markers!  What a task it was!

This was probably the biggest challenge of the Mind Lab journey so far.  It was quite a change to move from narrative writing to academic writing, and I would catch myself from time to time wanting to throw in a few I's and We's.

However, possibly the biggest challenge of all was finding relevant literature for our topic.  Our review was about blended learning in maths, within a New Zealand primary school setting.  There was quite a lot of research but most was from overseas, and almost all of it within corporate and tertiary education settings.

We found that there is a need for further research of the following:

• Blended learning within a New Zealand context
• Blended learning at primary school level
• Blended learning within particular curriculum areas, such as maths

Because of the increasing use of blended learning with the rapid uptake of technology and digital capability, I think it is highly likely that the lack of research in these areas will be addressed.

The success of blended learning will depend largely on the sharing of resources, and collaboration amongst teachers to ensure that really great, relevant and engaging resources are available for our learners.  

Exciting times ahead!

I'm not a teacher.  I have no experience in teaching.  Before embarking on my Mind Lab journey, I'd never heard the terms pedagogy, or blended learning, growth mindset, gamification, or design thinking.  I didn't know what the key competencies were, or 21st Century skills.  I was simply a school librarian, in a lovely primary school, working away in my beautiful little bubble, passionately relishing the task of switching our children on to the joys of books, language, and reading.

I'm not a teacher, although I am an educator.  And since beginning Mind Lab, I have decided, at the grand old age of 50 to become a teacher. So, of course, pedagogy and blended learning and all those mysterious terms are suddenly very relevant.  I have loved studying and using my brain, and the most exciting thing has been to see that actually, I can do it!

I've also been so very fortunate to buddy up with a couple of wonderful teachers who have been extremely generous with their time, patience and expertise (not to mention snacks!).

I feel as though I have a whole cheerteam behind me, so am awfully grateful and excited about the road ahead!

Roll on 2017!