In part 1 last week, I described an activity utilising technology to present student research. Producing the movie took much longer than doing the research. Whilst the additional learning is beneficial, the problem here is two-fold. First, the actual subject-relevant learning portion of the assignment (research and writing) took up a tiny fraction of her…
Technology is NOT a substitute for teaching (Part 1)
Infusing education with technology is a wonderful idea. Classrooms with access to the internet and mobile devices have marvellous opportunities to make learning relevant to 21st Century students. Technology offers new ways to enable and encourage self-learning, engage students with content and build capability in vital workplace skills. However, as with every other educational strategy…
Cut Them Some Slack
We rarely know what is going on in other people’s lives. Whilst we might be frustrated by the behaviour of our students (and at times by our colleagues or boss) we rarely know all of the information about what is going on in their lives. We don’t necessarily know about health issues, financial pressures or…
Relationships Are Important in Managing Student Behaviour
I’ve often heard the statement ‘students don’t learn from people they don’t like!’ In ‘Kids These Days’, author and psychologist Jody Carrington says, “Kids won’t learn from people who they think don’t like them.” This statement resonates with me and is consistent with behaviour management guru Bill Rogers’ position that the best teachers are warm-demanding….
Decide Like A General
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, where challenges can often feel like battlefronts, the wisdom of military strategy can offer valuable insights. Just as generals must navigate complex terrain, staff in schools must navigate the intricacies of molding young minds and managing educational environments. Here are some key principles borrowed from the world of generals…
Attitude Adjustment Hour- Part 2
In part 1, I wrote about the importance of reflecting on our attitude and adjusting it, if necessary, through an Attitude Adjustment Hour. I challenged you to get some feedback from your partner or children about the attitude you display when you get home each day. I’d suggest it might be a good exercise to…
Attitude Adjustment Hour- Part 1
Most of us would be familiar with the term ‘Happy Hour’ (also known in some places as ‘attitude adjustment hour’) used by many hotels to promote their half price drinks between 5pm ish and 6pm ish. How awful that we link alcohol with attitude adjustment but the concept of attitude adjustment is great. ‘Attitude’ is…
Is It Time to Declutter?
Over the years, I, like many teachers, have collected a lot of “stuff”. I’m not sure if it is because budgets are tight and we are frugal or we always think we might be able to reuse that resource again “someday” but many teachers are loathe to throw things away. I recently culled a drawer…
Are they Attention Seeking Or Connection Seeking?
The next time you call a kid “attention-seeking”, change it to “connection-seeking” and see how your perspective changes. The people who need connection the most are often the hardest ones to give it to on any given day. Kids are hardwired to turn it up louder and louder until we meet their needs and assist…
Relationships Are Important in Behaviour Management
I’ve often heard the statement ‘students don’t learn from people they don’t like!’ In ‘Kids These Days’, author and psychologist Jody Carrington says, “Kids won’t learn from people who they think don’t like them.” This statement resonates with me and is consistent with behaviour management guru Bill Rogers’ position that the best teachers are warm-demanding….