When observing classes in high schools, it is possible to see two extremes of teacher support. Firstly, there is complete hand-holding or, as some teachers would like to say, spoon feeding, with the teacher doing most of the work. Secondly, at the opposite end of the spectrum we have some teachers who provide little... Continue Reading →
When I reflect on the positives of working in my current school and share my thoughts with colleagues from other schools, they are often amazed when I tell them that we do not set specific targets for student results. Our school does not have a specific average score that it needs to achieve from IB... Continue Reading →
We often face questions from parents and colleagues about how we select teachers to work in our schools. With no single right answer to what makes a good teacher, I thought I would take this opportunity to share what I originally wrote here: It is a difficult job selecting the most important qualities for a... Continue Reading →
There are some traits that I believe stand out above all in great educators and school leaders. These traits typify the ideal of having educators that are lifelong learners striving to be the very best that they can be and making a positive difference to students and the school community at large. Reflective, Student-Centered Educators... Continue Reading →
In another post, I presented a case why teachers should seek feedback from their students. In deciding to seek feedback from students, it is important that it is worthwhile for both the teacher and the student. Firstly, from the student’s perspective, they need to feel comfortable in having a voice in your class and know... Continue Reading →
Teachers are given a great deal of trust in giving feedback to students. Feedback is crucial to supporting students grow and develop in becoming lifelong learners able to take on the responsibility of making a positive contribution to society and the environment. Feedback that students receive from teachers is not just about their academic progress,... Continue Reading →
This notion of careful curriculum design and planning is something that I believe is vital to improving student learning in a school. This is particularly true given teacher differences with a school and between schools. In the context of this post, learning by ‘chance’ is to mean that learning happens completely randomly; it will largely... Continue Reading →
Finding our passion and what we are genuinely interested in is not easy. During my days at school, I received very little choice in the education that I was given. Beyond having the choice to study different subjects in Grades 9 to 12, all my school friends and I pretty much had the same education.... Continue Reading →
I recently viewed a TEDx talk titled 'The surprising truth about learning in schools'. Other than the talk having an eye-catching title, there was nothing really surprising about it, as I think Will Richardson hits on a number of things that have been said before by other researchers. Of course, the talk is a timely... Continue Reading →
