schools – Happy Schools

Technology is NOT a substitute for teaching (Part 2)

July 25, 2024

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 time. The additional learning (how to use the video-making software) may be valuable as a future workplace skill but the actual process of making the movie was really ‘busy work’. Once you’ve edited images to match one 5-second audio segment, you don’t learn anything more by editing the remaining 59 segments! It was an utterly ineffective use of potentially valuable study time. Second, the point…

Technology is NOT a substitute for teaching (Part 1)

July 18, 2024

Stevef

Effectiveness

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 or tool, technology is only effective when embedded in a well thought out learning experience and specifically applied to support learning outcomes. Unfortunately, the rush to incorporate technology into our schools and classrooms (eg BYOD) has in some cases served to undermine fundamentally sound teaching and learning strategies. The overwhelming notion seems to be that, if we incorporate a computer, mobile phone or iPad somewhere…

What Will YOUR Students Remember?

April 25, 2024

Stevef

Engagement

Think back to who your favourite teacher was when YOU were a student. Now think about WHY you chose that particular teacher. The reason almost invariably comes back to the way that particular teacher made you feel. “I remember a teacher who made me feel welcome, safe and important. She saw something special in me.” Many people comment on how much the teacher cared about them, how they made them feel and how they took a genuine interest in them. How many of YOUR students, when confronted with the same question at some stage in their future, will name you? What will you be remembered for? Participants at a recent workshop said the following about their favourite teachers. “My teacher……

Getting Feedback From Your Students

August 2, 2018

Stevef

Resilience

Getting feedback from your students can help identify where you should focus your attention to improve your practice. If what you are doing in the classroom is not working from the student’s perspective, then making some changes is likely to be beneficial (for them AND for you). If students are disengaged, for whatever reason, they have an impact on our stress levels. Their disengagement may present as poor behaviour that disrupts the learning of others and demands our attention OR withdrawal that also causes us stress, by challenging us to find a way of reconnecting with them. Whilst students should be at the centre of what we do, you as the teacher are the person with the most impact in…

Communicate & Connect Minus Technology

May 11, 2017

Stevef

Communication

It is pretty easy when you have something to say to write an email and push send. Whilst it “ticks” the box of having “told” people, many wonder why staff, parents and students don’t read emails or say they received it. In its simplistic form, the human brain is wired for fight or flight. As primates, every piece of information received was processed on this basis and the appropriate action was taken. Today, our brains are literally assaulted on a 24/7 basis with information. Radio, TV, newspapers, billboards, traffic lights, railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, the chatter of people around you. The challenge is blocking out the “noise” and focusing on the RIGHT STUFF… the things that really matter. With millions…