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Do I still believe it?
At the start of the 2014-2015 academic year I thought it would be a great idea to reflect on my educational beliefs, those that underpin my daily activity. Now, at the end of the 2015-2016 academic year, I think it would be a great idea to see if any of these beliefs have changed.
The Intelligence Wager
Much has been discussed concerning whether students can become more intelligent, i.e. whether they can increase their capacity to learn, as well just simply learn new things. I firmly believe that they can but regardless of the answer to this question the most important things is that we act as if they can and Pascal’s wager provides a good analogy as to why.
The most important building learning power muscle
One of the most important things that teachers can do in lessons to consolidate learning is to constantly encourage students to make links. Link to as much as possible of what they have learnt in that subject and also to what they are learning in other subjects. An analysis of how we learn seems to suggest that this is the most important building learning power muscle.
Impact! Impact! Impact!
When making decisions about educational provision they must be made by considering the potential impact upon learning and achievement and evaluated solely against this same criteria
What I believe
At the start of the educational year it is a great idea to reaffirm and re-evaluate the principles that guide us in our daily teaching and leadership activities. What do you believe? What will you not compromise on? What do you stand by? What underpins your daily activity. Here, in some order of importance, is a collection of what I believe.
Teaching: The art of simplicity
Posing a series of simple questions actually helps us plan and achieve outstanding lessons
Is your learning falling off the edges?
A spiral model of learning will stop new learning from dropping off the edges as it will continually develop and reinforce the links between current and new understanding
Raising Attainment
The biggest impact upon student attainment is the teacher that stands in front of them. There are numerous systems that can be put in place to raise attainment but what are most successful are those that improve that which has the biggest impact, the teacher. As such school leaders wishing to raise attainment should primarily concern themselves with improving the quality of these teachers.
Tough Young Teachers – Review
I liked it. It didn’t focus on exposing vulnerable children but instead was a real, honest and accurate portrayal of the experiences that new teachers (as well as the not so new) encounter, the problems they face and the passion and enthusiasm that goes into solving them.