Key Principles for Care and Compassion
Although this graphic is concerned with the current situation provoked by Coronavirus, I think these should be guiding principles for all circumstances when working with learners of all ages. Originally … Continue reading
The Essence of Reflective Practice…
The disruption caused by Coronavirus to the normal pattern of schooling may have many implications when schools return to something approaching a new normal. There will undoubtedly be many potential … Continue reading
Rejecting Discipline in Schools: A Better Way
Many thanks to Martin D. for reminding me of the cultural shift needed in developing, rather than managing, young people in schools. This represents a very practical application of transactional … Continue reading
Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone
In these challenging times, this infographic might provide some pointers to the stages of embracing change…
For Every Child a Champion: The Role of the Teacher and Others
Thank you to Hannah Simnett for reminding me of Rita Pierson’s wonderful Ted Talk. This is a major validation of any teacher working in a school who invests in their … Continue reading
Prompting Improvements
Sound advice for young people… concentrate on the HOW and not the WHAT of learning.
Recognising Diversity in all its Facets
Diversity is the catch-all term for a whole range of differences, some having legal and statutory definitions, and some not. We need to be mindful of the full range of … Continue reading
Recognising the Obvious in Reading!
When the curriculum is one dominated by knowledge transmission, an inordinate stress is placed on the literacy levels generally and the reading level in particular of pupils. This is so … Continue reading
Common Courtesy… Or Supporting a Neurodiverse Person?
Some more clear thinking from Professor Amanda Kirby on the issue of supporting neurodiverse people in your school or company. Nothing revolutionary here, simple a rational and consistent approach to … Continue reading
A Template for Neurodiversity
Professor Amanda Kirby again makes the complex understandable in her chart of the common neuro-diverse conditions and how they impinge on each other. I consider reflection on this chart would … Continue reading
Homework… What is it Good For? Absolutely Nothing!
The issue of homework has been a thorn in my side since I started teaching. The standard thinking is that it develops independent learning skills, extends the work of the … Continue reading
A Diagram of Student Engagement Patterns from Ruby Jo Walker et al
I am indebted to Daniel Sobel for bringing this infographic to my attention. It was compiled by Ruby Jo Walker and associates and seeks to describe the range of levels … Continue reading
Learning Technologies and How to Develop and Deploy Them: Changing the Paradigm
I generally take a sceptical view of educational technology because the implementers tend to want to shoe-horn in new technologies without going to the trouble of the professional development required … Continue reading
The Unequal Playing Field of Education
In my new book, Re-Examining Success, out in March 2020, I outline ways in which the current examination system disproportionately favours those from relatively settled and well off homes. To … Continue reading
Supporting Teacher Well-Being and Mental Health | Teach Well Alliance
Steve Waters of the Teach Well Alliance gives you an accessible and workable document with which to address the issue of teacher well-being and mental health. This is all the … Continue reading
Children with Sensory Disorders – The Signs Are There If We Look Closely
Children with sensory disorders exhibit consistent patterns of behaviours. As teachers we may not observe the pattern or join the dots of the behaviour into a pattern. Thanks again to … Continue reading
Emotional Intelligence: Towards an Operational Definition For Learning
Many thanks to Daniel Sobel for bringing this table based on work by Daniel Goleman back to my attention. I first read it when completing the National Professional Qualification for … Continue reading
Revision: The Acquisition, Retention and Recall of Information For Examinations
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most insightful. This one came via Jon Tait on Linked In and he recognised something I noticed when students are revising. Often they spend … Continue reading
Labelling Learners: The Effects, Intended and Unintended
I am again indebted to Professor Amanda Kirby and Dr Mary Cleaton of Do-It Solutions for this really clear exposition of the pros and cons of labelling in the field … Continue reading
Calm the Chaos: Beneath the Surface of Misbehaviour
Reproduced with the kind permission of: Calm the Chaos Workshop.com It has been noted elsewhere that in their absence of choice and compliance culture, the use of uniform and uniformity, … Continue reading
The Pyramid of Learning – Sensory Integration
When people, particularly politicians, speak of learning related to schools, they adopt a very narrow definition of learning. Essentially they talking about curriculum, and that is effectively about the content … Continue reading
Social Exhaustion… Be Mindful
Symptoms and solutions to the phenomena of social exhaustion and how to deal with them. Some useful ideas for the new term.
Child Development Stages – Charlotte Davies | Fit-2-Learn
Thank you to Charlotte Davies, a Director of Fit-2-Learn, who shared this useful infographic on child development. It outlines and integrates the various stages children need to go through in their … Continue reading
Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions – 2017 Update | Six Seconds
Plutchik‘s wheel of emotions helps you visualize the spectrum of emotions and how they relate to each other – a great tool for enhancing emotional literacy. Source: Plutchik’s Wheel of … Continue reading
