I’ve been fortunate to observe a number of colleagues using multiple choice questions in their teaching recently. Sometimes these were being used to promote recall of previously taught material. Others were using MC questions to highlight misconceptions. The design and use of MC questions for highlighting misconceptions seems to be a tougher thing to get … Continue reading Tips for using MC questions to highlight a misconception
Articulate
I like to blog. The act of articulating the way I see things is like tidying up my mental bedroom. It does to my conscious mind what sleep does to my subconscious, sorting through the mind-junk and putting thoughts in order. Articulation requires discipline. It instills order. It forces you to decide what ideas have … Continue reading Articulate
What can we infer from an exercise book?
My recent experience of an Ofsted inspector at work has made me think long and hard about what can reliably be inferred from looking at exercise books. The current Ofsted framework seems to rely very heavily on inspectors using books as evidence of standards of teaching, learning and assessment. This approach has arisen in response … Continue reading What can we infer from an exercise book?
Deep challenge
Our recent Ofsted inspection happened to coincide with the speech Dr Rebecca Allen gave on 7 November, titled 'Making teaching a job worth doing (again)' [https://beckyallen.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/2017-11-becky-allen-on-workload.pdf]. If you've read the speech you'll appreciate the irony of this. Whilst I can't comment (yet) on the outcomes of the inspection, I am able to talk about my … Continue reading Deep challenge
Failing to learn
I've just finished reading Matthew Syed's 'Black Box Thinking', which references Tim Harford's book 'Adapt', both great reads on the same theme; failure. If you haven't read either then Tim Harford's Ted talk on the subject (https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_harford#t-1067823) gives you a sense of the territory. Syed's approach is to examine the culture which has developed in … Continue reading Failing to learn
Schools have gravity
Successful schools seem to have a force of gravity which pulls things towards them. They attract strong teachers, high attaining students, additional resources, publicity and privilege. As their reputational 'mass' increases their gravitational effect grows. This is a zero-sum game for the most part. The gain is at the expense of those schools whose pull … Continue reading Schools have gravity
The micro lesson
This article (http://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2016/feb/19/how-to-write-the-shortest-joke-in-the-world?CMP=twt_a-media_b-gdnmedia) has got me thinking. Jimmy Carr's joke referenced in the article is about as succinct as a joke can get; "Vennison's dear, isn't it". It is a micro joke. It deliberately omits all the necessary information for the joke to make sense (the exformation). Our brains rapidly fill in the missing information. … Continue reading The micro lesson
The Coca Cola problem
“The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance” ‘A Theory of Justice’; John Rawls (1971) I was asked recently to fill two hours with wise words to an audience of prospective head teachers. Naturally, I knew that I couldn't hold their attention for this time without plenty of discussion activities. To start, I presented … Continue reading The Coca Cola problem
Red pill, blue pill
"You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes." Morpheus, The Matrix (1999) In the Matrix, Morpheus offers Neo the choice of a red … Continue reading Red pill, blue pill
Intelligent accountability pt.1
There are three assumptions about teachers which it is worth keeping in mind when thinking about how to hold them to account for the work they do; Teachers want to do a good job (not all perhaps, but most in my experience) Teachers are most effective when they think carefully about their practice, rather than … Continue reading Intelligent accountability pt.1
Matthew Evans 