Archive
Modelling and observation: a low threat model for teacher development
Oct 07, 2018 |
Category: training
For some years now I've been of the opinion that while lesson observations can be useful learning opportunities the person doing the observation learns far more than the person being observed. This is...
Why English is not a 'skills based' subject
Apr 27, 2018 |
Category: Featured
The idea that English is a skills based subject has become axiomatic. Most English teachers of my acquaintance accept it unquestioningly, as did I until a few years ago. How do we know English is skil...
What can you practise in English lessons?
May 04, 2018 |
Category: English
Over my last two posts I've argued that, contrary to popular opinion, English is not a 'skills based' subject. In fact, what appear to be skills are actually composed on many thousands of individual c...
Should students be overlearning?
Jan 12, 2017 |
Category: Featured
In my last post I outlined my concerns with the idea of 'thinking hard' being a good proxy for learning. Briefly, thinking hard about a problem appears to be an inefficient way to alter long-term memo...
Further problems with the 'thinking hard' proxy for learning
Jan 11, 2017 |
Category: learning
Because learning is invisible, we can only hope to measure whether students are making progress by observing proxies. Most people now seem to agree that certain activities which routinely take place i...
Why study grammar?
May 12, 2016 |
Category: writing
Trying to express complex thoughts in simple English ... is demanding, challenging and takes time.Terry Leahy
There's been a lot of fuss over the past week about whether it's appropriate to assess chi...
Why I struggle with learning objectives and success criteria
Dec 06, 2015 |
Category: learning
A strenuous soul hates cheap success.Ralph Waldo Emerson
Broadly, I’m in favour of sharing with students the intention behind what they are being asked to do. Anything that adds clarity to the murky...
Is it just me or is Sugata Mitra an irresponsible charlatan?
Nov 23, 2015 |
Category: myths
Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands; and there is no knowledge that is not power.Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I first saw physicist, Sugata Mitra speak about his Hole in the Wall exper...
Rethinking assessment Part 2: the Einstellung effect
Nov 15, 2015 |
Category: assessment
As I set out here, Dr Chris Wheadon has come up with a beautifully simple solution to assessing students' essays which requires no rubrics, very little marking time and produces extremely reliable res...
Heads I'm right, tails I'm not wrong
Oct 12, 2015 |
Category: reflection
The path of least resistance and least trouble is a mental rut already made. It requires troublesome work to undertake the alternation of old beliefs. Self-conceit often regards it as a sign of weakn...
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