well congratulations everyone. the certificates are all out soon and all passed. i am still learning from the experience and wish you all the very best. Justin.

Evaluation of MINE 2012

MINE IP 2012 (Pori, Finland)

Evaluation on the MINE 2012 IP

The MINE Intensive Programme has been one, if not the, most wonderful experience I have had the pleasure to have. From day one I felt part of something special and meaningful. Being with such a large group could be fraught with problems but everyone was motivated and worked toward the same goal. I feel privileged to have been a part of such a positive learning experience with so many fantastic people from around Europe. It felt like a shared learning experience and this to me was the ideal learning environment and to me, true adult learning. It was an atmosphere where anyone and everyone could share ideas regardless of their background. It was equal in the sense experiences, thoughts; ideas could be explored towards a common goal of nursing.

My Professional Learning and Development

I began to understand how different cultures approached nursing based on their environment and attitudes to those with an illness. The cultural visits and tours around the hospitals (I was lucky enough to go to the psychiatric hospital) made me realise the different approaches and how culture, politics, way of life, attitudes and society create different health models and hence, different approaches in nursing. The cultural visits help create a relaxed atmosphere where I felt I could approach others and get to know how they felt about the programme, the culture, nursing etc. I felt this was a feeling throughout the group. I can see now when we get students from other countries as to what I need to do to prepare but also I feel I understand more about their background and nursing profession.

How can a project such as MINE benefit Erasmus exchanges?

The programme was an intensive sharing of ideas, thoughts and attitudes. It prepares students nurses going on exchange as to some of the realities of what they might experience and what they need to prepare for. It also allows a student to network and think about the country they would like to go to on exchange. For the mentors it guided us in how we need to prepare for students, examining our own practice and the practice of those coming to us and, what support structures we have and need to develop. The key area for me was preparation and getting to know the student before they came. Facebook helps but so would Skype. I think the MINE projects idea of Facebook to help getting to know/share ideas was invaluable. It also mean we can still keep in contact, network and share ideas long after the IP has ended. For the academics I am sure they found they are more aware of different teaching/learning methods (i.e. digital stories, patchwork assessment, blogging etc.) and how they might implement them in the classroom. 

All participants can take their experiences back to their colleagues and share what they have learnt. I plan to do this and will be presenting what the programme it, what I have learnt and how we (as a whole) can benefit from. The ideas of teaching (i.e. digital stories) have inspired me and demonstrate that if English is not a first language then a DS addresses this. I now know how the six countries approach nursing, some of the challenges, some of the similarities and some of the opportunities.

The learning processes adopted

Facebook was a huge help. I don’t know how you would get everyone speaking together without it. This being before, during and after the event. I was initially wary of Facebook as their privacy laws are bad but I was assured it was a closed group and this did work.

Blogging took time to get used to. I wanted to do a blog each day and felt if I didn't I would miss key information. I can see this is a valuable tool for the student and assessor with regards to feedback and reflection. It might be good to have the student have to do a daily entry so at the end of the programme their are 12 blogs from everyone. This might be too prescriptive though and against the nature of MINE and adult learning.

The digital stories were the most educative and powerful teaching/learning experience I have had. A few of my colleagues use them but I didn’t really know what they involved. I can honestly say this was my first attempt at DS and I LOVED IT! To be creative, explore meaning with images, try new ideas, use technology and work, as a team is where I want to be and where I want to go. I feel there is so much more we can express and explore with DS as it engages cognitive and emotional learning on so many different levels. Essays do what they do but DS are so much more powerful.

Country group working was a pleasure. It didn't feel like work as it flowed. I am very much aware that English was not everyone’s preferred language and I was acutely aware to try and give everyone space and time to express their thoughts and feel included in the work. I feel we did do this and roles within the groups developed naturally. I am sure we all learnt something about ourselves during those intensive two weeks. I recognised I like to be part of a team, to be creative, I like taking a lead but also more than happy to carry out tasks. I like to explore new ideas and do this with images and technology.

Assessment patches were something new to me. I can see how these together make a complete assessments. The whole is bigger than the parts as the saying goes and I think this is true with MINE. We already did part of the patchwork before we landed in Finland so this was a nice start!

Summary

I found the MINE IP to be a powerful learning experience and one that went beyond anything I have experienced before. It showed me a different way to learn by being creative and drawing on other people knowledge and experience. It showed me that a learning environment of sharing is possible and can be achieved with excellent results. The final conference was amazing and so professional. The result of hard work, group work, engagement, motivation, sharing and enjoying the whole process. Thank you and I will always remember this amazing experience.

Mental Health in Finland

i had the privilege of seeing how inpatient Mental Health services work this week. we had a visit to the local Mental Health unit and had a guided tour. it was fascinating. the similarities and diferences apparent made me realise how Mental Illness and Mental Health have developed. in Finland the nurses wear uniforms (with candles) which never happens in the UK. however, medications were similar and so were the talking therapies. the unit was very spacious and light which is a far cry from some inner city Units. we were lucky to speak with one of the charge nurses and get some information on how the legal system works. as far as mentoring goes i can see similarities and am going to see how the standards vary.

nearly there

it feels quite hectic with all the work going on. i didn't realise how much thought and attention to detail some of the groups are putting in. its interesting having a student led conference and watching them form the structure of what will happen. its a difficult assessment to manage as everyone is inputting different things and at different levels. i have learnt that having a structure, tasking, communicating and developing ideas has certainly helped in our presentation. i really enjoy the creative aspects and in a way appears never ending as their is always something to contribute. i am sure the conference will go well and will be a success.

Editing

I didn't realise how much preparation and time the digital story can take. It is hard work but I really enjoy it and I think if you really enjoy something you put more effort in. I also found a blogger app for mobiles (apple and android) so can put posts up easier.

MINE 2012: end of week 1

its the end of week one and i can't believe how quickly it is going. i really enjoy the creative and positive atmosphere of the group and environment. their is an equality amongst the students, mentors and academics that encourages sharing of ideas and thoughts that i haven't experienced before. i think this is a good learning environment as it helps develop everyone by recognising they can bring something of value from their experience to the group.

on reflection i have realised i feel very comfortable and trusting within the group as normally i wouldn't lend my camera out or leave my laptop in the class (it feel very different to London!). i am glad that others wish to take pictures and explore photography, especially as this links in with the digital stories. everyone is very respectful and wishes to make the MINE project work for them and the group.

i liked the session on developing a digital story as this taps into a creative aspect we all have. sometimes assessment can feel dry (e.g. essays) and telling a story is so much more meaningful and natural to us. it certainly helps with any language barriers as an image can say so much. we are surrounded by images all the time and making sense out of them and constructing ideas is something that fascinates me.

the digital story has made me think more about the representation and interpretation of ideas. i did want to do a project on the visual representation of mental health and this week has certainly guided me. thank you!

MINE Day 2

today's session on learning through the web, digital stories etc was interesting. i think these approaches can be used in the classroom and in the clinical setting for staff and patients to explore meaning and experience. it does require a degree of IT savvy but their are alway good people around to help.

i also realised today it is so nice being a student! having the opportunity to think, create, socialise, learn etc is really enjoyable. i feel i can think about things in a creative and enjoyable way. this is due to the positive atmosphere of the group and environment.

learning about the erasmus project was interesting as i didn't realise it was 23 years old and had over 2 million students involved. having such a rich and diverse background made me feel very positive about nursing as in the UK services and the NHS are going massive changes (not all for the best).

the culture fair was amazing with all the food/drink and i felt it was a really good way to get to know a bit more about others.  just from chatting i learnt more about culture, history, likes, dislikes. nice photos too.