This case study is written by Jodie Lomax, a secondary school Religious Studies teacher. As you read this case study, reflect on how the teacher has considered possible marking approaches before selecting and making use of one. Take some time to think about what the teacher does, how they do it, what they might do […]
As expert learners, the stages that we take in solving a problem or performing a skill are not always thought consciously. To support pupils, we need to make these stages explicit and demonstrate how expert learners engage in an ongoing cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Barak Rosenshine (2010) suggests that pupils ‘need cognitive support […]
As expert learners, the stages that we take in solving a problem or performing a skill are not always thought consciously. To support pupils, we need to make these stages explicit and demonstrate how expert learners engage in an ongoing cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Barak Rosenshine (2010) suggests that pupils ‘need cognitive support […]
As expert learners, the stages that we take in solving a problem or performing a skill are not always thought consciously. To support pupils, we need to make these stages explicit and demonstrate how expert learners engage in an ongoing cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Barak Rosenshine (2010) suggests that pupils ‘need cognitive support […]
As expert learners, the stages that we take in solving a problem or performing a skill are not always thought consciously. To support pupils, we need to make these stages explicit and demonstrate how expert learners engage in an ongoing cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Barak Rosenshine (2010) suggests that pupils ‘need cognitive support […]
As expert learners, the stages that we take in solving a problem or performing a skill are not always thought consciously. To support pupils, we need to make these stages explicit and demonstrate how expert learners engage in an ongoing cycle of planning, monitoring and evaluating. Barak Rosenshine (2010) suggests that pupils ‘need cognitive support […]
Questioning is a common feature of classroom teaching. Brualdi’s (1998) research suggests that many teachers ask more than 300 questions per day! In order to support our pupils’ progress, we need to think carefully about the way that we construct and use questions in the classroom. Cotton’s (1988) research illuminates some helpful evidence about effective […]
Questioning is a common feature of classroom teaching. Brualdi’s (1998) research suggests that many teachers ask more than 300 questions per day! In order to support our pupils’ progress, we need to think carefully about the way that we construct and use questions in the classroom. Cotton’s (1988) research illuminates some helpful evidence about effective […]
Rewards In order to maintain a positive and encouraging climate in the classroom it is important that we focus on positive behaviour. Willingham (2005) argues that when praising students we should: be sincere and honest focus on the work or process, not on the ability or intelligence of the student be immediate and unexpected. By […]
When teachers define, create and facilitate positive classroom climates, they must undoubtedly consider how their pupils will be motivated. Adam Boxer (2019) describes motivation as a ‘complicated beast’, with pupils being ‘motivated by a whole host of competing and intertwined factors.’ Your climate will inevitably prioritise the nurturing of pupils’ intrinsic motivation so they find […]
When teachers define, create and facilitate positive classroom climates, they must undoubtedly consider how their pupils will be motivated. Adam Boxer (2019) describes motivation as a ‘complicated beast’, with pupils being ‘motivated by a whole host of competing and intertwined factors.’ Your climate will inevitably prioritise the nurturing of pupils’ intrinsic motivation so they find […]
Robert Marzano suggests that ‘it is simply not possible for a teacher to conduct instruction for children to work productively if they have no guidelines for how to behave, when to move about the room, and where to sit, or if they interrupt the teacher frequently and make whatever amount of noise pleases them.’ (Marzano, […]
Rewards In order to maintain a positive and encouraging climate in the classroom it is important that we focus on positive behaviour. Willingham (2005) argues that when praising students we should: be sincere and honest focus on the work or process, not on the ability or intelligence of the student be immediate and unexpected. […]
Rewards In order to maintain a positive and encouraging climate in the classroom it is important that we focus on positive behaviour. Willingham (2005) argues that when praising students we should: be sincere and honest focus on the work or process, not on the ability or intelligence of the student be immediate and unexpected. By […]
Rewards In order to maintain a positive and encouraging climate in the classroom it is important that we focus on positive behaviour. Willingham (2005) argues that when praising students we should: be sincere and honest focus on the work or process, not on the ability or intelligence of the student be immediate and unexpected. By […]
Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) has recently become ‘The Next Big Thing’ in teaching. Dylan Wiliam tweeted on 26 January 2017 that he had ‘come to the conclusion Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory is the single most important thing for teachers to know.’ This is an emphatic statement and it is important to consider the implications. As teachers, there are huge demands on our time, so when considering a new strategy it is […]
As a memory researcher and teacher-educator, I sometimes get a negative reaction when I talk about improving teachers’ understanding of human memory. Am I suggesting that school learning is just a matter of memory? And isn’t memorisation a bad thing? I think that using memory effectively isn’t a bad thing at all, and in fact […]
Questions are an integral part of classroom life and essential to every teacher’s pedagogical repertoire. Questioning serves many purposes: it engages students in the learning process and provides opportunities for students to ask questions themselves. It challenges levels of thinking and informs whether students are ready to progress with their learning. Questions that probe for […]
Collaborative learning, where pupils learn and attempt tasks in pairs or groups, can be an effective tool to support individual learning. It is important that collaborative learning opportunities are designed carefully and appropriately. While there are major benefits to group work, there are also significant risks if implemented poorly. Benefits and dangers of group work: […]
Collaborative learning, where pupils learn and attempt tasks in pairs or groups, can be an effective tool to support individual learning. It is important that collaborative learning opportunities are designed carefully and appropriately. While there are major benefits to group work, there are also significant risks if implemented poorly. Benefits and dangers of group work: […]
