It is essential that children in today's 'technology focused world' get real, hands-on experiences. The only things that some of my children have in their hands, once at home, are games console controls! By making learning fun and interactive we can engage children in finding out about the world around them and their past, instilling a love of learning and giving them some practical skills to use in the real world...
I tried to think of a different way of titling this post, I wasn't keen on the word 'surviving' but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that actually, you really do feel like you're surviving… Just about. I've been onto Twitter, Instagram and even scrolled through my personal Facebook a few times to discover that Teacher Training Nerves are setting in. Now, I know you've probably (definitely) heard some complete horror stories but let's begin with an open mind. Having just completed the PGCE, I totally understand why you are so nervy and that is why I've created this post… So, sit back, take a deep breath and repeat "I can do this"...
As teachers our time is unfortunately finite, but there are ways that we can use time in the classroom to have a positive impact on learning, progress, attitudes and mindset. In this article I hope you will find something that will really resonate. It is important that you carefully discriminate and find the new tips that work for you. After all, we don't have much time.
An extensive science site with articles, videos and audio featuring the latest research. There is a good 'For Teachers' section with lesson plans and ideas.
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/Science
Free online magazine for teachers, featuring articles on Minecraft in the classroom, Project based learning, subject knowledge, value of field trips, and using GPS to enhance learning.
A digital portfolio is a computer-based collection of student
performance over time. Portfolios make classroom learning more
accessible to parents, administrators, and other district support
staff because they provide a window into student learning. A
portfolio showcases both student achievement and student
learning over time.
What that suggests, the researchers say, is that multi-task are more easily distracted by irrelevant information. The more we multi-task, the less we are able to focus properly on just one thing.
A raft of studies has found that, actually, multi-tasking is a good way to do several things badly.
We're not really multi-tasking. We're switching between tasks in an unfocused or clumsy way."
Amazing, but as it turns out, quite logical. "The brain has very specialised modules for different tasks, like language processing and spatial recognition. It stands to reason that two similar tasks are much harder to do simultaneously, because they're using similar bits of tissue."
Driving and talking doesn't use the same bits of brain. Answering an e-mail while chatting on the phone does. In effect, we are creating information bottlenecks.