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Lost voices
In this General Election my vote, like so many others, will have no impact on how the country is run. This is not right.
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.
Why our brains need flipped classrooms
Providing content before the lesson increases student creativity and allows new ideas to be brought and used within the lesson
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.
Teaching: The art of simplicity
Posing a series of simple questions actually helps us plan and achieve outstanding lessons
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.
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.
It’s all in the question
Teachers should ask a lot of questions. Questions allow us to ascertain current understanding and to push students to the next level. As such they are most effective when they involve as many students as possible.
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.
An Indian Education
My recent visit to Indian schools highlighted the transformational power that effective school leadership can have, how education can change lives, how a ‘different’ style of examination system can foster high level thinking skills, why teachers should act as a ‘distanced friend’, the power of Skype, how children can make their parents ‘live better’ and why we should focus on nature and heritage