Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Supporting the
Educational Community
ENGAGING LEARNING
CREATING A BUZZ IN THE
CLASSROOM
10
ARTICLES
06 Educational research: True or False?
08 Metacognition - Learning to Learn
8 16
10 Podcasting for Revision
12 Implementing Tablets in Schools
14 The Power of Positivity
CONTRIBUTORS REGULAR FEATURES
Gary Henderson @garyhenderson18
15 Effective Educators Engage
Imagination
04 Research Highlights
Sarah Wordlaw @smwordlaw
@digicoled 16 Affiliation in the Classroom 11 UKEdChat Highlights
Martin Burrett @ICTmagic 20 Educational Visits: Student Success vs 13 ICTmagic EdTech Resources
Matt Roberts @Mroberts90Matt Teacher Preparation 18 Book Review
Gillian Judson @perfinker
22 In Brief... 24 UKEd Resource
Caroline Sherwood @Caroline_Alice_
The publishers accepts no responsibility for any claims made in any advertisement appearing in this publication. Whilst every
Olly Lewis @OLewis_coaching effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publishers accept no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions.
12
Aprajita Ralli @ApraRalli
Clare Maas @Clare2ELT
Research Highlights
Mathematicians predict delaying school start times Boys from low income families are less active
wont help sleep deprived teenagers Parents income and educational level are associated with their childrens
Delaying school start times in the UK is unlikely to reduce sleep physical activity and screen time, according to a new study from the
deprivation in teenagers, research from the University of Surrey University of Eastern Finland. Lower income and educational levels were
and Harvard Medical School has found. The research, conducted in associated with less supervised physical activity in particular. In boys,
collaboration between mathematicians and sleep scientists, predicts that these were also associated with more screen time.
turning down the lights in the evening would be much more effective at
tackling sleep deprivation. Parents low income and low educational level were associated with
The study, which is published in Scientific Reports, used a mathematical lower amounts of supervised physical activity in particular. Children
model that takes into account whether people are naturally more of a from families with the lowest income and educational levels were two
morning or evening person. times less likely to participate in supervised physical activity than other
children. In boys, parents low educational level was also associated
The research draws attention to light, light consumption and darkness
as important environmental and behavioural factors influencing health. with lower amounts of overall physical activity. Furthermore, boys from
This has implications for how we design the light environment at work families with the lowest income or educational levels spent had nearly
and at home in our modern light-polluted societies. five hours more of weekly screen time than other boys.
Read more at uked.chat/mathssleep Read more at uked.chat/lessactive
Most teenagers happy with their lives but school work The problems of Smartphone addiction
anxiety and bullying an issue, says OECD Excessive smartphone use leads to problems, and females are especially
Teenagers who feel part of a school community and enjoy good relations susceptible to addiction, according to new research from Binghamton
University- State University of New York.
with their parents and teachers are more likely to perform better
academically and be happier with their lives, according to the first OECD Our smartphones have turned into a tool that provides short, quick,
PISA assessment of students well-being. immediate satisfaction, which is very triggering, said Isaac Vaghefi,
assistant professor of management information systems at Binghamton
Students Well-Being: PISA 2015 Results analyses for the first time
University-State University of New York. Our neurons get fired and
UKEdChat Magazine
students motivation to perform well in school, their relationships with dopamine is being released, and over time this makes us acquire a desire
peers and teachers, their home life, and how they spend their time outside for quick feedback and immediate satisfaction. This process also has
of school. The findings are based on a survey of 540,000 students in 72 contributed to developing shorter attention spans and being more and
participating countries and economies who also completed the main more prone to boredom.
OECD PISA 2015 test on science, mathematics and reading.
Vaghefi and his colleagues recently surveyed 182 college students and
Many students are very anxious about school work and tests and the asked them to report their daily routine of smartphone usage. Based
analysis reveals this is not related to the number of school hours or on the analysis of the responses, they classified the user as one of
the frequency of tests but with how supportive they feel their teachers the following types: Thoughtful, Regular, Highly Engaged, Fanatic and
MAY 2017
and schools to be: on average across OECD countries, 59% of students Addict. Seven percent identified as addicts and 12 percent identified
reported they often worry that taking a test will be difficult, and 66% as fanatics. Both groups experience personal, social and workplace
reported feeling stressed about poor grades. problems due to a compulsive need to be on their smartphones.
Read more at uked.chat/oecdanxiety Read more at uked.chat/smartaddiction
04
linkedin.com/company/ukedchat
Image: pixabay.com
Girls confidence level, not maths ability hinders path Children notice what adults miss
to science degrees Although adults can beat children at most cognitive tasks, new research
When it comes to mathematics, girls rate their abilities markedly lower shows that childrens limitations can sometimes be their strength.
than boys, even when there is no observable difference between the two,
In two studies, researchers found that adults were very good at
according to Florida State University researchers.
remembering information they were told to focus on, and ignoring the
The argument continues to be made that gender differences in the hard rest. In contrast, 4- to 5-year-olds tended to pay attention to all the
sciences is all about ability, said Lara Perez-Felkner, assistant professor information that was presented to them even when they were told to
of higher education and sociology in the College of Education. But when
focus on one particular item. That helped children to notice things that
we hold mathematics ability test scores constant, effectively taking it out
adults didnt catch because of the grown-ups selective attention.
of the equation, we see boys still rate their ability higher, and girls rate
their ability lower. We often think of children as deficient in many skills when compared to
The research team found perception gaps are even wider at the upper adults. But sometimes what seems like a deficiency can actually be an
levels of mathematics ability among those students with the most advantage, said Vladimir Sloutsky, co-author of the study and professor
talent and potential in these fields. of psychology at The Ohio State University.
Read more at uked.chat/mathsgirls Read more at uked.chat/childrennotice
Parents use of emotional feeding increases Children in danger from being over-protected in the
emotional eating in school-age children digital age
Emotional eating eating when you feel sad or upset or in response to Heavy-handed approaches to issues around social media and digital
another negative mood is not uncommon in children and adolescents, communication may be damaging to childrens emotional development,
but why youth eat emotionally has been unclear. Now a new longitudinal according to new research on childhood in the digital age, by academics
study from Norway has found that school-age children whose parents
at the UCL Institute of Education (IOE) and Plymouth University.
fed them more to soothe their negative feelings were more likely to eat
emotionally later on. The reverse was also found to be the case, with The researchers Dr Sandra Leaton-Gray (IOE) and Professor Andy
UKEdChat Magazine
parents of children who were more easily soothed by food being more Phippen (Plymouth University), interviewed children who told them most
likely to feed them for emotional reasons. of their digital online activities were relatively harmless. The children said
The findings come from researchers at the Norwegian University of they were aware of explicit images being passed around but had rarely
Science and Technology, Kings College London, University College been personally involved however parents and teachers were often
London, and the University of Leeds. They appear in the journal Child unnecessarily anxious.
Development.
Some children described how their parents would monitor their phones
When children eat to soothe their negative feelings, their food tends to and emails, doing regular spot-checks or even receiving copies of all
MAY 2017
some consideration for the other reasons happier, further aiding learning upon return
why brain gym might have worked in this to the learning activities.
case.
I believe the key issue is that learning
Firstly, consider the priming effect. This is not a simple process, it is messy and
is the fact that just by believing something, complex. We may be using learning styles,
by priming ourselves, we can actually make brain gym or some other technique.
it true. Paul Dolan in his book Happiness However, in doing so we may introduce
by Design uked.chat/happinessdesign
MAY 2017
ukedchat.com/app
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Our international Twitter map now has over 2200 educators listed from
around the world.
bit.ly/edutwittermap
07
08 MAY 2017 UKEdChat Magazine Learning
instagram.com/ukedchat
Image: pixabay.com
teenager, and they'll most likely have a pair your topic. Another great idea is to involve simple file that make the whole process
of headphones hooked into their ears. So, students. As podcasts are audio-only, automated.
combining our pupils desire to be glued gaining permissions is less complicated,
Smartphones - Most smartphones have
to their smartphone, with the wish to look but ensure that students adhere to common
in-built microphones and apps that make
cool wearing a set of headphones seems sense policies, and only use first names
recording audio simple enough, however
a perfect opportunity to provide them when appropriate.
you need to ensure that you can upload
with learning or revision opportunities 4 - Script the files in a format that will be accessible
- especially when it comes to important Ensure that everyone keeps on task and to other devices afterwards. Check the
exams. create a script - or bullet points - of the versatility of the in-built 'voice-memo' app
podcast episode. Creating a script for the on your device, but if you want greater
Technological advances have made
podcast is actually a sneaky revision tool, functionality, you may need to venture into
modern-day Smartphones into mini-
as pupils will have to consider the key your App Store. One favourite (for Apple
recording studios, and you don't need to
point before creating the episode, and then devices) is 'Just-press-record' uked.chat/
invest into much more to create audio
discuss the issues during the episode. If justrecord, which will attempt to transcribe
recordings that become easily shareable
you and colleagues are discussing points your episode (you may need to edit the
as podcasts. Creating podcasts, and
for your discussion, then a bullet point text afterwards), allowing for greater
openly sharing the audio files, is a great
script is a great way of keeping people on accessibility if you are also publishing
way to help students retain, develop, or
task. It is obvious if you are reading a piece 'show notes' to accompany your episodes.
consolidate their learning, especially when
of text, so try to keep the podcast more
exams are approaching, and there are a 7 - Check and edit
discursive, as it will keep the vocal tones
couple of methods this can be done: You may consider checking and editing
sounding more natural.
your episode before uploading. Audacity
1 - Test the audio in the room where you 5 - Try to record in one-take will do the trick, and it's easy to delete
intend to record If the planning is done correctly, you those awkward moments of silence, the
So you're not going to be broadcasting should be good to record. Don't worry 'erms' and the sneezes that might have
your episode on the BBC World Service, about little vocal errors, as these sound taken place during recording. You can
but improved audio quality will certainly natural and show that you're human, and also improve quiet voices by amplifying
help the listener maintain attention. Audio try to encourage everyone to avoid their sound snippets, and altogether ensure
bounces around in most rooms, and monotonal voice - bring the recording to that the sound quality is consistent all
microphones are incredibly sensitive in life. Ensure each person participating the way through your episode. This whole
picking this up, so choose a small carpeted in the recording is near the microphone process can be lengthy but, if facilities
room, and record away from windows to (otherwise it could sound as though they allow, you could get pupils to do this, as it
minimise the your voice echoing back are in another room entirely), and if you makes them listen to the content within the
into the microphone. Create a short audio are sharing a microphone or Smartphone, episode (yay, they're revising, and they don't
rehearsal and play it back (wearing a good consider minimising the noise in the know it!).
UKEdChat Magazine
should be. If you are talking about a podbean.com. These are both free services,
Computer - Whether a laptop, PC or Mac,
complex issue, then consider breaking it up unless you are planning on producing hours
one of the best freely available apps to
into episodes, and aim to ensure that each of content each week. If you are wanting
download is audacityteam.org - this is a
episode does not exceed 20 minutes. your podcasts to be made available to the
piece of software that makes editing and
world, these services can also help you
10
UKEd Podcast facebook.com/ukedchat
link up to iTunes, making your podcast 10 - Take your recordings to the next level One of the main issues encountered
episodes freely available and searchable to If you are wanting to improve the quality with making podcasts with students is
the world. Whichever route you choose, it of your audio recordings, you may want to that some of them will feel self-aware of
is important that pupils can easily access invest in some extra equipment. For big their voice, and could be embarrassed by
the audio files on their devices, so you may budgets, your school may wish to consider the whole process. It is important that
consider asking them what services are a sound-proofed room, but if budgets are all participants are comfortable with the
available for their smartphone. more stretched (i.e. every school), then process, and the role of the teacher is
connecting your Apple device with an critical here. If you go on the journey with
9 - Consider for all subjects iRig microphone uked.chat/irigmicro is a them, creating audio files, and listening
To be able to showcase complex formulas great option, or connecting microphones back to them with the pupils, you can
or methods, you may consider creating to a mixer deck, allowing you to target model that it is fun, and laughing at your
a screencast rather than a podcast - this your audio subjects when it's their turn to own errors and mistakes will ease the
may be more applicable to mathematics talk. You can then link the mixer deck to pressure from them. If some pupils point-
so that demonstrations of methods can your computer or Apple device using an blank refuse to be part of the recording
be shown. If you consider that visual iRig connector. You could use sound clips process, then you could involve them in
demonstrations are more applicable, there (freely available online and copyright free), the scripting and editing and publishing
are many screencasting services freely but be careful not to over-do this, otherwise process, as they will still be involved in the
available online, and uploading the final it could all get quite comical, unless that is content, and therefore the revision.
video is simple enough - either your school the intention. There are some great Apple
You know your subject, and you know how
website and/or YouTube. The same rules apps, which work great on iPads, which
this could work with the subject matter, so
and tips apply here, and you could get also act as a podcast recording suite.
consider podcasts seriously as a revision
students to create demonstrations using Check out BossJock Studio uked.chat/
tool, and if you do produce episode, please
xxx whiteboard app on iPad to showcase bossjockstudio and i-jingle uked.chat/
let us know via podcast@ukedchat.com so
methods and formulas. ijingle.
we can share your work with our audience.
1 2
3 4
5 6
1 2 3
Earth CheckIO Apple Clips
A fascinating 3D globe which A superb online game which A video clip editor from Apple
shows air currents and lots of takes learners through coding with filters, graphics, emoji, music
other data. View in real time or activities with Python. Complete and more. Use it to make video
review past data. A must use site the tasks to gain points to move feedback, short instructions for
for geographers. to the next area. flipped learning, and whatever
UKEdChat Magazine
4 5 6
QR Wild Prodigy EdPuzzle
This site lets you create QR Code A superb maths game set in a A superb site where you can crop
scavenger hunts quickly and vast magical world, reminiscent YouTube and other online videos,
MAY 2017
easily. The basic account is free of the early Final Fantasy games. add audio messages and quiz
and all you need is a smart phone, Complete the challenges and bat- questions which provide individu-
any QR code reader and a login tle with monsters by answering al assessment feedback to check
for the site. maths questions. understanding of your students.
uked.chat/qrwildsite uked.chat/prodigymaths uked.chat/edpuzzlesite
13
Interest in the Classroom
The Power of Positivity issues arose. I went home that evening,
my confidence crumpled and tossed in the
By Matt Roberts corner. What came before that day was a
series of soul-crushing events, which were
In 2014, an eager primary education so welcoming and those moments where I now culminating towards the KS2 SATs.
student was introduced to a brand new could reflect (without really realising I was As time went on I found myself going
world. I was finishing my last year of Initial reflecting) made such a difference to me as through the motions of a class teacher. A
Teacher Training and I was encouraged a teacher. The power of positivity is such a week or so later, I found myself on Twitter
to join Twitter to engage with other tangible force. Recently I have noticed that and found the #NQTchat, something I
professionals. What I was welcomed when I make the effort to exude positivity, hadnt encountered before. I decided to
with was a vast horizon of conscientious, those days tend to go better. Of course stick around and half an hour later I was
inspirational and outstanding practitioners. this has to come from the top-down: a enthused! I couldnt wait to get back into
Unfortunately, I slipped off the radar around calm, reassuring Head means a patient, the classroom and shake things up a little.
the start of my RQT Year due to workload unpressured senior team which means What happened? The power of positivity.
demands but have been back since January empowered, composed teachers. As well I was met with a wall of irresistibly
2017. as this, composed teachers tend to lead to passionate teachersand it was infectious.
more unruffled children.
However, something is different. The What makes positivity a challenge?
mood had changed. There has been a lot Of course, not every teacher will emanate Surely, as we have the best job in the
of negativity and contention on Twitter. positivity. Thats highly unlikely, maybe world, being positive should be something
The topics have been wide ranging from impossible. The temptation here will be to that comes natural to all teachers?
philosophies, to phases in education to join in. Its interesting how two different However, this is not easy. As I was
specific approaches in areas of teaching people can have two very different preparing this article, I went into school
and learning. Debate is to be expected; viewpoints on the same events. I work in specifically with a target to stay positive. I
personal insults and questioning other such an incredible, forward-thinking school went into school excited to begin. However,
professionals morals is shocking. I want and yet there are some who still manage I found the copying for my lessons that day
to move away from this mentality surely to drain the warmth of positive energy. hadnt been done. No bother! Then, there
we are challenged enough in our day-to-day The challenge in this situation will be to was no colour ink in the colour printer.
school lives? How can we expect to draw continue being sanguine whilst trying to Never mind! After that, I realised someone
more teachers into participating with other spread the optimism. had taken my guillotine from my classroom
teachers on Twitter when they arrive they and not brought it back. Okits alright!
Face to Screen (or, Face to Many Faces)
see poor professionalism between a few? But I started to see how easily positivity
As mentioned, due to the wonders of
The golden question to ask is this would I can slip away from a teachers clambering
modern technology, online forums such as
say that to a fellow teacher at school? grasp as they strive to provide the best
Twitter enable a wider audience to absorb
Face to Face other teachers positivity. This proved education for their eager learners. The trial
Positive working relationships in school especially important to me in a specific then is to defy the odds, break the cycle of
have, at times, saved my teaching career. experience. negativity and realise that you are changing
In my NQT Year I would often find myself lives.
I was in my NQT Year as a Year 6 teacher
floating in to my KS2 leaders classroom Positivity Pledge
and had taken part in a Writing Moderation
not necessarily because I wanted support For any that are struggling to find
Meeting cross-school. To save on detail,
but just to talk about what had been going happiness or comfort in their role as a
it did not go well not necessarily due to
on and any advice about any general teacher now, dont give up. The teaching
poor planning on my part but a couple of
things that were on my mind. They were profession will miss your influence.
Hundreds of children will have different
lives, they will miss out without your
brilliance to greet them each school day. Image: depositphotos.com
There are many ways you can expand your audience with UKEdChat
UKEdChat Magazine
MAY 2017
15
Learning Needs
Kindness nurtures a learning environment
Affiliation in the Classroom where students can perform at their best.
By Caroline Sherwood Focus on language and tone of voice,
remember that words have enormous
The need for affiliation is inborn and is engage with the learning. Emotionally power; they need to be chosen carefully
a primary need of humans. Feeling happy, engaged children release dopamine, which and deliberately.
safe and valued improves your ability to is the main learning neurochemical in the Consistency
be more cognitively alert. We all want brain. Curran asks: "The final question that I
Relationship reluctant children may be
our students' brains to function at peak would ask you is this what are you taking
fearful, suspicious or antagonistic. They
capacity - and so finding ways they can into the classroom that is preventing you
may be superficially charming but expert at
decrease cortisol and produce serotonin and your pupils making good emotional
keeping adults at emotional arms length."
is paramount in order to create a positive contact? Change that, and you will
('Reclaiming youth at risk: Our hope for
environment conducive to high quality immediately have improved your pupils
the future', Brendtro et al.,1990). We
learning. "It pays to treat students as potential to learn."
affect the students we teach; this happens
sensitive and aware human beings (Ted
"We missed you when you weren't here instinctively and on a subconscious level:
Talks, Rita Pierson) as a happy brain is
yesterday" what we do and say and think makes a
a brain that can grow. "Happy thoughts
Valuing your students when they are difference. Relationship reluctant children
and positive thinking, in general, support
present is vital, but noticing when they are might need more of your time and effort,
brain growth, as well as the generation and
not there is just as important. Let them but the minute you give up on them is the
reinforcement of new synapses, especially
know that, as a significant and precious minute you've reinforced their belief about
in your prefrontal cortex, which serves as
part of your classroom, their absence is adults: that they can't be trusted and will
the integration centre of all of your brain-
felt. Don't let them bleed back into the give up on them.
mind functions." ('Happy Brain, Happy Life'
Teresa Aubele, Ph.D., Susan Reynolds, group invincibly - tell them they were According to the 'Teaching Through
2011. missed. Interactions Framework' (Hamre & Pianta,
What's in a name? 2007) there are four characteristics
Teach with emotional intelligence
of a positive Classroom Emotional
Maslow's expanded Hierarchy of Needs Knowing and using students names Climate: a) teacher sensitivity to student
ranks love and feelings of belongingness recognises that a student exists and needs, b) warm, friendly, respectful, and
third in the system - and importantly - is important, it suggests you care and nurturing teacher-student relationships,
ahead of cognitive needs. Your students it develops trust. When the professor c) regard for students' perspectives and
need to feel emotionally safe - they need engages the student in personal encouragement of active participation,
to feel affiliated; accepted within your conversation, recognises her by name, and d) the absence of abrasive disciplinary
classroom in order to make progress and seems to include her in the domain practices and cynicism. Teachers who
and reach their full potential. It is our of attention, the subject matter seems create and maintain healthy, affiliative
job to attend to and fulfil students' basic more accessible. The non-verbal message classroom learning environments are likely
physiological needs before their cognitive goes out that the student is a part of to foster positive student relationships as
needs can be met. As the driving force the community of people who can do well as the appropriate emotions in their
of the emotional climate in the room, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, or students to support their learning therefore
and as the adults, it will always be our whatever the subject is. ('So What is minimising poor behaviour choices and
responsibility to ensure we get this right. the Problem?: Difficulties at the Gate', promoting progress. School children are
It is the teachers responsibility to value Willemsen, 1995). Use every student's in a crucial stage of emotional and social
each and every one of the students in their name, every lesson. development; their schools - and more
class, so that each student feels special specifically your classroom - is where they
Always try to be a little kinder than is
and important (Groundwater-Smith et al, look for support and enrichment when
necessary: J M Barrie
1998) even the students we think we don't fostering these developmental needs.
like. The importance of greeting students Any student can be a vulnerable student. We must consciously grow and cultivate
personally - all of them, making frequent When approached by a boy, who didn't affiliation in our classrooms because our
eye contact, acknowledging positive always get it right first time, at the start students need and deserve it.
UKEdChat Magazine
behaviour and using positive language can of term in September, the first words he
not be underestimated. Tell your classes greeted me with were: "I don't have to
you love teaching them, introduce them read out loud, do I?". How long had he Caroline Sherwood @Caroline_Alice_
to visitors as your favourite class, invite been worrying about this in the lead up to teaches English at South Molton
colleagues in to show them off, smile and the new school year? A new term gives Community College in Devon, is Pupil
laugh with them. In 'All you need is Love', teachers the opportunity to see things Premium Champion and Teaching and
Andrew Curran explains "if a child is in an differently; to see past the challenging Learning Lead. Caroline is also an
MAY 2017
environment where they are understood behaviour and to see a vulnerable 14 year Specialist Leader in Education with the
as an individual human being" their self old who is genuinely scared about reading Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance and
esteem is improved, with that their self out loud. How else to respond, but with is Project Director for Women Leaders in
confidence grows and as a result children a little more kindness than is necessary? Education in the South West.
16
twitter.com/ukedchat
layout.
Gail Hard, Headteacher
Boost engagement Stimulate feedback Improve communications Save time and cost
MAY 2017
A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine For some, the word psychology has
go down. been almost synonymous with therapy
and counselling; the psychology behind
The world of education is becoming
behaviours and how we feel. However,
increasingly conscious of the importance
this book considers the broader science
of developing evidence informed
of the study of the mind and human
classrooms in order for teaching to be
behaviour. Psychology research, over the
more effective; for learners to be more
past few decades, has made real strides
successful.
into understanding how we learn. Using
In addition to this, the newly established these principles, What Every Teacher
Chartered College of Teaching will soon Should Know challenges a lot of traditional
be releasing their first research journal; practice and ideas about teaching. If we are
aptly titled Impact to support members to in the business of learning then why are View on Amazon at
forge classrooms from deeply considered we not focussing more upon how we learn
pedagogy and practice. As Dylan Wiliam in order to make teaching more effective? uked.chat/teacherpsych
@dylanwiliam has previously stated, it The research and evidence in this book has
matters less about what school a student the potential to make a profound difference Priced at 17.46 for paperback
attends but instead more about which on how well pupils learn. and 9.99 on Kindle at time of
classroom they are in.
The areas of psychology that are publishing.
It is undeniable that you would want to be focused upon have been organised
in the classroom of a teacher whose core under three broad headings: learning and
Day in, day out, we make inferences about
practice is centred upon inquiring about thinking, behaviour and motivation, and
learning based on the performance we see.
what they can do differently to better help controversies. Within each chapter there is
However, the chapter goes on to explain
the students they teach learn? What Every a rich variety of concepts for the reader to
that performance at the point of instruction
Teacher Needs to Know about Psychology dip in and out of and navigate in any order.
is a very poor predictor of learning. Often
is a spoonful of sugar that will whet the It truly is an Aladdins cave of materials
we have provided cues and prompts to
appetite of every research hungry teacher that must be given the time to read,
increase performance. It tells us very
out there. process, understand and consider. Where
little about what they might be able to
It is almost impossible to find a teacher connections can be made, the authors
do elsewhere and later. The book doesnt
who isnt battling against the issue with draw your attention to these with helpful
claim or indeed even try to provide quick
time and juggling an already saturated suggestions for navigation but it really is
and easy answers to the complexities of
working week. How then do we create the up to you.
teaching and learning but it does provoke
time to engage with the wealth of research Part 1 begins by addressing the considerable reflection and support us
that is out there? How can busy teachers fundamental question, how students learn in asking better questions about our
know which research is worth investing in? and think. It looks at the three related classroom practice.
What Every Teacher Needs to Know has aspects of learning: retention, transfer and
There is no denying that on-going,
been written with this question in mind, change and merges these with the concept
quality professional development is at
ensuring that there is a clear balance that thinking must be conscious and
the heart of effective teaching. What
between the rigour and relevance of the active. From the onset it explains that for
Every Teacher Should Know is a powerful,
UKEdChat Magazine
science of psychology, whilst making teachers to truly gauge the extent to which
handy, non-nonsense reference book that
clear connections in the research to something has been retained overtime
busy teachers can dip in and out of to
its implications in classroom practice. and transferred to a new context, we need
support their practice and professional
Teachers should take it in a small spoonful to look at what students can do later and
development. The added benefit is that
at a time and come back to it as both a elsewhere.
because it is so accessible, it can be
point of reference and inspiration. Engage With this in mind, a very clear distinction readily shared with colleagues to widen
with the concepts and materials; consider between learning and performance is the discussion across teams, departments
MAY 2017
your own pupils and predict an outcome made. Performance is what the students or whole schools, creating a network
that is both meaningful and measurable. can do. This is all we can ever observe. of evidence informed classrooms. The
Carry out some classroom enquiry; reflect. Learning takes place in a students mind possibilities are endless but to begin with,
Evaluate; repeatbut come back to it. and as such cannot be observed directly. you need to take your first spoonful.
19
Field Trips
Educational Visits: Student Success vs Teacher Preparation
By Jade Lewis-Jones
Everyone loves a trip! Be it for a day Ultimately, the aim of any trip is to allow that taking a group of students away
or a week, everyone gets some form of students with an educational opportunity entails, but if everyone is well informed,
stimulation, from leaving the classroom that will assist them at some point in this stress is minimised!
and putting what we know into practice the future, be that exam answers or life
2. Gathering Medical and student details
or developing our understanding further skills, for example. Those that learn
through first hand experiences. For those kinesthetically or visually may find the trip It's really important to have more than one
that haven't planned a trip before, yes there far more valuable than learning inside the print out of student lists, contact details
is a lot of work for us as teachers, be it classroom. Yes, some may argue that you and medical information. As much as we
local or far, but it is worth it. There is no can show students photos, youtube clips, rely on technology these days, you don't
use applications and even virtual reality want to be caught short with no battery
better feeling as a teacher than knowing
nowadays but as good as technology when the wellbeing of students whilst
you have given students the opportunity to
is, nothing is as good as the real life under your supervision is paramount.
do something they may not have been able
to do if the trip had not gone ahead. experience of visiting the place for yourself 3. Planning an Itinerary of the day/s
and seeing it with your own eyes. It allows
Students will be given many opportunities students to develop a more in-depth Its a fun part! Let students know what's
throughout a trip to build relationships understanding. If there is an organised happening! Keep them informed, tell them
with other students that they may not tour with a specialist of the area then what they will be getting up to! It will
necessarily know, this is particularly true students can get more in depth answers increase enthusiasm, and you can tie it
if you go somewhere with another school, and knowledge of the surroundings. into your lessons prior to going away. This
or students who dont ever have the same This is also beneficial for the fact that it way it can also encourage students to want
lessons, or different year groups. Its great is not the teacher who they are used to to go on the trip, as well as identifying to
to see how the dynamics and friendships informing them, but someone else. This parents/carers the skills and opportunities
of the group grow and change over the can occasionally increase engagement, that they will experience.
course of the trip. It also allows students attention and interest in the subject or area. 4. Arranging Staff assistance
to get to know the staff too, and vice versa! Those of you thinking to organise a If you are a solo member in your
Outside the classroom allows for far more trip further afield will additionally enable department this shouldn't put you off
opportunities to get to know students students to experience new cultures, organising a trip! Team up with another
that you might not have in your classes. different traditions, exotic cuisine and department or another nearby school!
Not only that, it allows for students to unique architecture. All of these aspects Art & Languages trip to Paris or History &
experience new smells, new surroundings, developing each student as a whole, German trip to Berlin. More often than not,
develop some adrenaline for exploring impacting their individual wellbeing and staff will be happy to accompany you on
somewhere new and take in some fresh educational experiences no end. the trip so dont be afraid to ask. Meet with
air (which some dont have enough of staff prior to departing and, delegate roles
As teachers and educational
nowadays due to social media or game or small jobs to take the pressure off you.
professionals, we get a lot of comments
consoles). Dont overload yourself - they are there to
from our non-teacher friends 9-3 job or
Going away on a trip without parents, on holiday again, we all know that we help you!
carers, siblings or family members is put in the hours and do our best for the 5. Organising Travel arrangements
exciting for students regardless of their students we teach. Were not afraid of
hard work. So hopefully some of the tips Whether there be buses, trains, taxis,
age. It allows students to develop their
about planning a trip are not off-putting. planes, walking routes involved, all should
independence, organisation, time keeping,
If anything, it should encourage you when be planned out in advance, with all aspects
teamwork and social skills. It is a time
you know how much the students get from considered, the what if situations too!
where students work hard to overcome
it! A well-organised trip is always very Make sure you buy tickets in advance this
their own barriers and grow from children keeps costs down and avoids any language
UKEdChat Magazine
into young people. It is becoming more well received by students and is far less
stressful than you might think. problems.
common now that schools have a
residential or skills week at the end of the So what kind of work is involved? 6. Identifying how the learning objectives
academic year encompassing a variety of will be met
1. Writing Risk Assessments
activities that students can participate in: As much as all students love trips for the
theme parks, camping, canoeing, project Make sure you have thought about all fact they get out of class, they want there
based learning, city breaks. All of these possible scenarios and that there is a plan to be a purpose to the trip. They know and
MAY 2017
opportunities have potential for memories in place should different circumstances expect that while they are away they are
to be made. Memoirs that can be looked occur. I know a lot of teachers who would going to learn something. How can you
back on when students talk reflect on their rather avoid the trip experience on the basis ensure that they learn what they have gone
school life year-on-year. of the significant amount of responsibility there for? Have you assisted students
20
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STEM in English Behaviour Management Has No Place in My
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Classroom
Maths. From an English teaching perspective, it may initially seem Management; the control of people, processes or things to elicit
tricky to encourage and integrate these subjects and ideas into specified outcomes. Management is about repeating things that
our lessons. have been done before in order to get a known outcome. Do we
The arts and literature stimulate and give inspiration to the really want to manage the behaviour in our classrooms? Do we
STEM subjects. We are preparing students for a world that doesnt
want to manage what our students do?
really exist yet, particularly when it comes to technology, therefore
its not a case of trying tousetechnology; its about reading about As educators, we want our students to do their best work. Thats
it, talking about it and investigating it further. Here is a list of all we ask. And by best work, I dont mean neatly underlined date
books I would encourage students to read to inspire the STEM and title, all answers correct. I mean, their very best work that
within them: has been incited by inspirational and creative educators. Beyond
Timekeepers, Simon Garfield where they thought they could go on their own.
The Bubble Boy, Stuart Foster
The Stone Lion, Gwen Dandridge I lead my students because I want their best work, not mine.
Hidden Figures (young readers edition), Margot Lee Shetterly Leadership is about establishing expectations, empowering those
Walking the Nile, Levison Wood you lead and then allowing them the freedom to do their best
work. Their best work, not ours. And certainly not a regurgitation
Plenty of my lessons, particularly KS3, focus on extracts chosen of learning-past. The diverse needs and abilities of our students
from a range of novels that have elements of STEM subjects
demands that we lead them.
within them. Many students are often considered either good
at Maths and Science and therefore weaker at English or vice I lead. Because behaviour management has no place in my
versa. Students who feel they are at home with STEM should be classroom."
encouraged to express their knowledge through creative writing, @timilner Teacher & Speaker - Lancaster, UK
contextual exploration and also through inference using their
wider awareness of the STEM subjects. Elements of Workshop in a Traditional Classroom
@EnglishEffects Head of English - South West, UK Im a whole-hearted supporter of the workshop model because
of the increase of positive interactions with my students, and
because those interactions seem to be more deliberate and of
Learning to Be and Not to Do a higher quality than they were when I taught more traditionally.
Generally, young students do not capture the formative value of Plus, students seem to learn more.
learning. They are oriented towards learning as an unavoidable
I have more regular conversations with my students, and those
and obligatory instrument for life. Learning to do and not to be.
conversations are more accountable, authentic, and academic
On the contrary, most adults study out of curiosity, passion and than ever before. Its less about behavioral issues and more about
personal growth. That makes a big difference at the time to learn who they are as individual learners.
and memorise.
I encourage teachers of all subjects and grade levels to pick up
Now, knowing this how can we use this fact as educators, for our two of the strategies that are employed in the workshop model:
youngest students?
Regular check-ins with students regarding their progress
Encouraging them to study not just because it has to be done in the form of quick conversations. Its rich and quick
to get a good job, but also to enrich their souls, their spirits. formative feedback.
Learning must be interesting and exciting. It must highlight all the
Student voice and student choice whenever it is possible.
wonderfulness and wideness that knowledge implies. Knowledge
Students are more likely to try something new and dig in
has to be seen as luxury, as a quality of life, as a true beauty. deeper when they feel theyve had agency in the decision
It must be a pleasure to teach and a pleasure to learn. That way about what they are studying.
we can achieve our first connection with students, which is to Its not necessary to entirely jump into the workshop model if
UKEdChat Magazine
share the same vision, the same motive in every meeting. a teacher is feeling hesitant, but these couple of strategies can
A meeting that will always has to be pleasant and satisfying. make a big difference in the classroom culture.
@mschiavelli Educator - London, UK @swinehartjulie Teacher - Amman, Jordan
MAY 2017
22
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Planning Flow
Previous Lessons/Experience
What have your pupils been learning about recently and how does this relate to this lesson?
What have your pupils found difficult previously which will need to recap on during this lesson?
What went well in previous lessons and what needs to be improved in this lesson as a result?
Who excelled in previous lessons and can help their peers if needed?