Qatar school report

Given the increase in computer, tablet, and phone usage, many wonder if handwritten notes are still relevant. Research by Mueller and Oppenheimer, 'The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking', found that students who typed notes on laptops had poorer conceptual understanding, compared to their handwriting peers. 

Keyboard-typers tend to transcribe lectures word for word, with less processing and reframing, which can be detrimental to learning. 

How can we capture the learning benefits of handwriting whilst continuing to use our beloved devices? Tune in, to find out. 

Selina Collins hails from New York but has been an educator and leader in Qatar since 2012. Her current role is as Principal for early childhood and lower primary at English Modern School. In this episode:

- Hear Selina discuss her roots and formative experiences in the USA. 

- Find out which public figure she finds most inspirational.

- Selina reflects on the main differences, in terms of the teaching sector, between Qatar and the USA. 

- What are the greatest personal and professional challenges she has faced over the last 2 academic years? 

- We discover how Selina maintains her motivation in the face of setbacks. 

- We find out what she would like her legacy to be. 

- Hear Selina predict where the teaching profession will go in the future. 

Tune in, as Mrs Oona Carlin, Principal of King's College, Doha, shares her experience of leading under lockdown. Having been in Qatar for a little over one and a half years, Mrs Carlin's time as Principal has been overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes the challenges posed by remote learning, the importance of community and the effects of the changes on her team. Mrs Carlin also tells us about her early teaching influences, her leadership style and the passion that motivates her everyday.

Mr Thomas Rolt, Head of School at RGS, Qatar, shares his journey into leadership. He talks about overseas placements, formative experiences and influential mentors that have shaped his philosophy of learning. He discusses the rich history at RGS and exciting plans for the future, under his leadership. We delve into the school's values, its mission, and the overarching legacy that Mr Rolt, and his team, want to leave behind. We get an update on the building programme, which is nearing completion, and the range of subjects that will be on offer in the Secondary school. Above all, Mr Rolt expresses his love of teaching: a passion that still drives him each day. 

Contact the school: http://www.rgsgq.com/

This week, local teachers share their 'productivity hacks': tips and tricks that help to speed up their workflow and save precious time. 

Mr Robert Cody, Director of ACS, Doha, talks about his time in Hawaii, Cambodia and Qatar. He explains how these cultural experiences have changed him, his family, and his approach to teaching. Mr Cody shares his best moments as an educator and also makes predictions for the future of the profession. 

Teachers:

-Learn about cutting edge apps that help you to easily gather learning materials and share them with your class.

-Keep all of your resources, and class notes, in one place. 

-Create a body of knowledge with ideas and concepts that are linked. Never lose track of important ideas again!

Students:

-Learn to create links between ideas and concepts.

-Use 'sub pages' to keep all your important notes inside one page.

-Create a growing body of knowledge that you can continue to develop beyond that classroom.

Click on the links below to see the apps featured in this week's episode include:

1. Notion

2. Obsidian

3. Roam research

4. An example of how to create a simple Lesson Plan

5. An example of how to organise your lesson plans in a database