Immerse yourself in the art and science of teaching and learning with a comprehensive range of blogs. Explore dynamic topics such as effective feedback strategies, impactful explanations, the art of questioning, and more. Gain valuable insights into pedagogical techniques informed by research evidence, along with an array of practical tips. These blogs are useful for teachers, leaders and everyone interested in education.
Metacognition is a well known term but perhaps less well understood for some busy teachers. Education Endowment Foundation guidance on the topic of 'Metacognition and Self-regulation' has always proven popular and now it is new and updated so it is well worth returning to explore. It is helpful
Approaches to feedback, such as written marking or 'whole class feedback', are popular classroom strategies that are undertaken daily with students of all ages and stages. But do they truly land with students in the ways we intend? Or is it like a message in a bottle, cast
"They can because they think they can." ('Possunt quia posse videntur') Virgil's 'Aeneid' High expectations can be a mysterious thing. Something ineffable. You can understand them when you experience it. You may be able to tell a tale about when someone had
"Scaffolds are not intended to be permanent. If everyone has a scaffold all of the time, it's not a scaffold, it's just your lesson plan." 'The Scaffolding Effect', by Rachel Ball and Alex Fairlamb Teachers understand that scaffolds can be vital supports
High quality teaching - each day and each hour - is likely to prove the greatest lever for securing success in education. Not only that, but it is likely to be disproportionately beneficial to pupils who struggle and have additional learning needs. So far, so obvious. In the new OFSTED
"A precocious child," Miss Honey said, "is one that shows amazing intelligence early on. You are an unbelievably precocious child.” "Am I really?" Matilda asked. Adaptive teaching is usually discussed as a responsive approach to teaching students who routinely struggle. It describes how teachers can
Barak Rosenshine is most famous for his principles of instruction, but what did he have to say about building knowledge? In his writing on ‘Advances in research on instruction’, he put forward the important – and familiar notion – of ‘knowledge structures’. Put simply, this is how information is organised and stored
Let me introduce you to James. James finds it hard to articulate his thoughts due to limits to his vocabulary and a difficulty in understanding complex language in class. He can rely on simple words, repeat phrases, and non-verbal communication to get through the school day. In science, he particularly
Year after year, teachers conduct assemblies, workshops, and share resources on effective revision. Despite all that effort, students continue to fall for the all-too-common seven deadly sins of exam revision. So, what are these ever-present sins that beset so many students? 1. Procrastination and cramming. Perhaps the most famous sin
Everyone has a view on education. Every parent and politician has sat in a classroom, so they have a view on what the teacher does or doesn't do. But experience does not always translate into wisdom and understanding. Happily, we are not short of wisdom that does shine
Shy pupils can easily, often unnoticed, slide to the sides of lessons. Supporting such pupils, who are nervous to talk with their peers or in front of the class, can be a tricky business but also vital for both their well-being and their learning. The quiet, and seemingly passive, behaviour
Adaptive teaching describes the moment-to-moment responsiveness that is orchestrated continuously in the classroom by expert teachers. In the past few years, in England at least, its prominence has arisen through national frameworks as an alternative to the problematic practices that have attended the label of ‘differentiation’. It features in the