For reasons outlined in the previous post on the shortcomings of EduTwitter, I am convinced that only by meeting in the controlled and safe environment of a Co-creative Conversation can antagonists successfully meet across the troubled waters of the education debate. [ 1-minute read ] With this in mind, Shared Future and I were quite... Continue Reading →
What is retrieval and how is it supported by Cooperative Learning in relation to assessment strategies, test-enhanced learning, desirable difficulty, and connecting knowledge to larger concepts - 'learning' as it is designated in the 2019 framework? [5 minutes to read] From the event “Spacing & Retrieval Practice with Cooperative Learning” at Bluebell Primary. First instalment here. ... Continue Reading →
This series of very brief articles recaps salient points from the workshop for the benefit of delegates and those unfortunates who missed it. [3 minutes to read] The five planned articles in this series correspond to the headlines of the workshop and are planned as roughly three-minute reads each: What is Cooperative Learning What is retrieval practice? What is spaced retrieval practice?... Continue Reading →
This workshop turns research published by Iowa State University earlier this year into practical activities that embed subject learning into long-term memory and connects discreet knowledge to context and application. [4 mins to read] I am presenting with Ed Dooley, Deputy Headteacher at Bluebell Primary School in Norwich and SSIF Maths project lead. Ed has extensive... Continue Reading →
On the precarious balance between the rights of disruptive pupils to develop academically and personally and their classmates' right to not get punched in the face. It may not be as difficult social media make it seem. [4 minutes to read] Take the recent high profile Twitter controversy around exclusion and isolation: When Fakenham Junior School *... Continue Reading →
Andrew Howard and I are inviting colleagues to comment and advise on the first draft manuscript of our book "The Beginners Guide to Cooperative Learning." "Beginners Guide to Cooperative Learning" is not for academics but a manual for real teachers facing hands-on challenges. As is clear in last week's article, Expecting the Inspection, teachers using Cooperative... Continue Reading →
Earlier this year, Paul Warwick from Oracy Cambridge and Beccy Earnshaw from Voice21 gave a ‘double-header’ presentation for The Brilliant Club at the UCL Institute of Education in London. Especially secondary schools and colleges desiring students to engage more with education and life alike, this is a must read. I have taken the liberty here of retrofitting... Continue Reading →
Guided meditation is a brilliant way to embed those absolutely essential messages. If you will indulge me, I will now share a teaching method that has nothing to do with Cooperative Learning: Guided Meditation. Although this specific example was presented to adults at an Ignite teachmeet (#IgniteTM) in Great Yarmouth, it will help your pupils... Continue Reading →
If teaching and learning is the raison d'etre of everything else, empowering teachers through professional development must be given top priority. This article explores last week's Norwich Research Schools Network event An Introduction to Making CPD Effective presented by Roger Higgins and Tom Pinnington of Notre Dame High School. A brief interlude: What is the Research Schools Network?... Continue Reading →
Teachers often ask me if Cooperative Learning isn't only relevant in classes which already function socially. The answer is a firm no. On the contrary, Cooperative Learning is specifically a solution to any social problems found within the class. For this very reason, schools with a high level of behaviour issues often stand to benefit... Continue Reading →
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