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.
