It's Your Own Time You're Wasting

We all know the battle teachers can have with phones in schools – but can they be a force for good? What’s the role of mobiles in outdoor education lessons?

Jack Reed, a PhD candidate, and Emily Wormald from The Outward Bound Trust, discuss how outdoor education lessons can be transformative for students – with and without mobile phones!

Following the tragic death of Reading Head Teacher Ruth Perry, the spotlight is on OFSTED inspections like never before. Is the pressure on teachers just too much?

This episode, we talk to former OFSTED Inspector Graham Tyrer, who busts some of the myths surrounding OFSTED inspections.

If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, please reach out to your union or The Samaritans on 116 123.

This week’s guest, Verity Croker, talks us through her creative writing process as an author, describing the ‘plotters’ and ‘pantsers’ and her own methods of not planning…

Teaching creative writing in the classroom is something that all English teachers have pondered upon in their time as educators. How do I approach it? What would enthuse my students? How do I foster a love for reading? What would help us unearth our next star writers?

Luckily, our regular hosts, Marie and Jodi, have an author’s brain to pick on the creative writing process. She talks us through her love for writing young adult fiction, her preferences for not planning a story, and her change of heart on reading graphic novels. The conversation brings about some interesting points to consider when teaching young learners about writing and when aiming to impart healthy reading habits.

Reading, writing and a good cuppa go hand-in-hand so we don’t see why a podcast about it should be any different - get the kettle on and join for this week’s creative journey!

Timings

00:00 - Welcome to this week’s episode, ‘Are We Teaching Creative Writing All Wrong?’

04:37 - From down under, we welcome our guest, Verity Croker.

08:57 - To plan or not to plan - the process of creative writing in the classroom. The ‘plotters’ and ‘pantsers’, if you will!

14:42 – Representation in literature.

15:42 - Graphic novels as a literary device.

18:54 - Two stars and a wish - teaching creative writing without planning(!?), reading through diverse mediums, and can we get more free reading time in schools?

#educationpodcast #IYOTYW

This week we’re becoming ghost hunters and swapping ghost stories set in schools – so you might want to keep the lights on while you listen!

Marie and Jodi talk to Emma Dadswell, English teacher and ghost hunter, who talks about her favourite ghost stories and shares tips for bringing the supernatural into the classroom.

What effect do toxic social media influencers such as Andrew Tate have on our young men? Beyond’s education podcast welcomes special guest Neil Morland, who offers insight into what teachers can do to fight extremism and radicalisation.

Don’t miss next week’s education podcast, where we explore the influence of toxic social media, including the Andrew Tate phenomenon, on boys in schools. Here’s a taste of our chat with expert Neil Morland, about how teachers can combat extremism and radicalisation in the classroom.

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A big discussion topic this week - teaching strikes in the UK.

However, it wouldn't be the same discussion without someone heavily involved in the strike action so we’ve invited on Emma Rose, NEU VP and MFL teacher (amongst many other things!).

Interspersed with messages on the strikes from UK-based teachers, the show discusses a wide range of issues rooted within the reasons for taking action. This includes the current working conditions for teachers, public perception of the strike action and the effect this has on teachers, current standards of education, views on other unions taking action and many more fascinating issues.

Time to get that kettle on - and get the travel mug ready if you’re out on the line! - and join us for this episode’s hot topic.

Don’t forget, you can get involved in the chat by messaging us at [email protected]

What’s dating like for teachers? Are teachers even human enough to have lives outside of school? Here, Marie and Jodi discuss the details with the founder of Edudate, Tom Rogers.

For singletons within the education world, dating is often sidelined and neglected as a result of a hectic schedule. However, on the rare occasion we do find some social time, how do we go about finding someone special?

This week’s guest, Tom Rogers, not only discusses dating for teachers in general, but also his wonderful solution to match-making outside of the classroom - Edudate. We delve into the success stories of the site, its initial creation, and what the future holds for teachers seeking unions more desirable than those held between them and their marking!

Speaking of love. We love a good cuppa. Must be time to unite warm beverages with cups and join us for this heart-warming(!?) episode of IYOTYW…

Don’t forget, you can get involved in the chat by messaging us at [email protected]

Timings

00:00 - Welcome to this week’s episode, ‘Three teachers and a dating site’...

01:42 - Are you swamped with chocolates, cards, champagne and other luxurious gifts on Valentine’s Day? Or are you sick of it?!

04:20 - Welcome to this week’s guest, Tom Rogers, founder of Edudate.

10:01 - Are teachers harder to match up than other professionals?

15:05 - Is it easier to date someone in the same profession?

20:27 - Should we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the classroom?

23:54 - Two stars and a wish.

Fancy signing up to find true love? Visit www.edudate-me.com

#educationpodcast #IYOTYW

The world is talking about AI technology - and the technology is doing a lot of talking back too - so this week we dedicate our time to the question, ‘will ChatGPT change the world?’.

Marie and Jodi are not alone in discussing this groundbreaking software, however, as they are joined by the founder of ThirdBox and Director of Edufuturists, Dan Fitzpatrick. Dan provides us with a well-informed human take on the prospect of an AI-led future.

For those not in the know, ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that aims to give detailed answers to any question we throw at it. It can be used to write various texts including essays, poems, stories and even lesson plans, and we can also have conversations with it…

This particular AI is still relatively early, although its current application is impressing, worrying and sparking us into conversation about the future of its use. Marie and Jodi discuss its potential in and around the classroom, including its use in marking student work and providing us with information on specific topics. How does it learn? Where did it get its information from? How does it respond to us and understand human speech patterns? So many questions to mull over!

Unfortunately, advanced AI is not yet able to make us a cuppa. So let’s get the kettle on ourselves before settling down for this week’s episode.

If you'd like to learn more about Dan Fitzpatrick and ChatGPT, visit ThirdBox.org.

Timings

00:00 - Welcome to this week’s episode, ‘Will robots take over the classroom?'

01:05 - Putting it to the test.

03:11 - Welcome to this week’s guest, Dan Fitzpatrick, the Strategic Lead for Digital and Director of Edufuturists.

10:31 - The big question: will ChatGPT change the world?

15:57 - Some feedback from you, our audience.

16:58 - Is ChatGPT always correct?

22:57 - Does use of ChatGPT fit with our current educational structure?

31:16 - The future of technology as depicted in film!

41:06 - 2 stars and a wish.

#educationpodcast #IYOTYW

What do our hosts, Marie and Jodi, think about Rishi Sunak’s comments on making maths mandatory until 18? This week, they go through the numbers with financial expert and Bippit founder, Sam Lathey.

The educational world has been in deep discussion since the Prime Minister’s comments on prolonging mathematical education for 16-19 year-olds in the UK. What shape would further compulsory maths courses take? Who would teach it? What would it mean for other subjects? 

We discuss the difficulties presented in everyday adult life without competent financial skills as well as the gaps and inconsistencies left by a school curriculum that does not always match what’s needed in the world of employment.

There’s plenty to mull over this week so you’d best get out that special mug for an extra large cuppa and join us for all the latest ramblings!

Timings

00:00 - Welcome to this week’s episode, ‘Maths 'til you die?’.

00:59 - What do we think about Rishi Sunak’s comments on making maths mandatory until 18?

“Right now, just half of all 16-19 year-olds study any maths at all, yet in a world where data is everywhere and statistics underpin every job, letting our children out into that world without those skills is letting our children down.”

04:46 - This week, we welcome Bippit founder and financial expert, Sam Lathey, into the IYOTYW studio.

08:36 - What’s Jodi’s experience of learning about budgeting in school?

12:52 - Penny for your thoughts? Drop us an email at [email protected] to tell us your thoughts, ideas and anecdotes on that vast educational world out there.

14:59 - A message from one of our listeners; an English teacher in New Zealand.

17:39 - Maths made mandatory until 18 - a massive opportunity?

21:55 - Is financial education a practical solution for moving forward real-life numeracy skills?

23:34 - Two stars and a wish.

If you'd like to learn more about Bippit, visit www.bippit.com.

#educationpodcast #IYOTYW