The School of School

We’re back with a bang! Our trio are exploring the ‘aha’ moment topic even further this week, asking if those special moments can be engineered. They discuss the importance of orchestrating learning experiences that foster these moments, the role of intuition in teaching, and the joy of discovery in the learning process.

In this episode, our hosts discuss the concept of learning within constraints, exploring how different types of constraints can influence creativity, decision-making, and student performance. They emphasise the importance of understanding these constraints in educational settings and how they can shape both teaching methods and student outcomes.

Our trio is back! This week, Adam, Andy, and Robin explore the presence handwriting in an ever-growing digital world. One of our earliest ever episodes was ‘Pen vs Pencil’, now is the debate ‘stylus vs. keyboard vs. paper’? Does writing open up new possibilities that digital tools don't? And does the act of writing down thoughts engages the brain differently? Our experts discuss!

This week, Robin and Andy delve into the essence of learning moments, particularly focusing on the significance of 'aha' moments in education. How can we facilitate these moments? How important is joy of learning? And what are the intrinsic rewards that come from overcoming challenges and achieving understanding? Find out!

Are you paying attention? Andy and Robin this week are discussing the various strategies that students use to avoid tasks in the classroom. They explore common procrastination techniques, the importance of teacher engagement, and how technology affects student focus. What can help keep kids on task?

Andy and Robin this week are discussing their insights from visiting various schools and observing classrooms. They explore; some similarities among students and teachers, the importance of enthusiasm in learning, and the dynamics that create effective classroom environments.

Our trio are joined this week by experienced educator, Jerry Mussio, from British Columbia. We’re discussing the historical context of curriculum implementation, the challenges faced by teachers, and the role of policymakers in shaping education. What are the systematic issues within educational frameworks? Is more support needed for teachers in effectively implementing curriculum changes? Plus, Jerry emphasises the necessity of returning to real-world experiences in policy-making and the influence of external agencies on curriculum development.

We’re talking community this week on The School of School Podcast, with special guest, Sarah Matthews joining us. Sarah’s school has a nearby army barracks, so has high mobility. What things does her school do to build a sense of community and safety for pupils? How are transitions for newly-joining students managed? Find out!

We’re delving into differentiation this week, chatting about various strategies for differentiation, including scaffolding, varying learning environments, and adapting expectations based on student readiness. Do pupils get labelled too soon based off of perceived ability?

This week, our trio are discussing a word that can have many meanings to many different people in education: Mastery. Our crew focus on the distinction between instrumental and relational understanding in mathematics, and how in other fields, the two types of understanding apply.