Dixons Allerton Academy
Teaching and Learning Bulletin
Our weekly bulletin...
Don't forget the T&L Breakfast.... WEDNESDAY MORNING in the 6th form hub
Week 13 Focus: Collaboration in the classroom using technology
What's in it for me?
- Make the best use of technology at your disposal
- Enhance student engagement
- Encourage students to work independently as part of a group
Linoit
Edmodo
Imagine Facebook, but in education and used for classroom purposes. Really easy to use- students can post ideas/work on a topic and comment on one another's work. More can be seen here.
Socrative
Anthony Agony Section...
Dear Anthony,
I am struggling with the openings of my lessons- at times, it feels like I'm just doing a starter for the sake of it, and it seems to do next to nothing to actually enhance the learning in my classroom. Have you got any bright ideas?
This is a typical problem that teachers have, and a typical reason why they should (like you) always try to reflect on their practice and ask whether what they are doing is really worthwhile. This is the key question you should always ask- is it worthwhile? If not, why bother?
I would suggest that you don't put the cart before the horse- don't spend 25 minutes planning a starter that lasts for 2 minutes. Think about the purpose of the activity-
- is it to settle?
- it is to refocus?
- is it to energise?
- is it to form a baseline assessment?
You can't fail to find any number of resources or ideas online for starters such as here- the problem isn't the ideas as such, it's more about the purpose.
Common things that I find work are:
- A controversial statement on the board to elicit an instant response
- A number of images on the board to connect to previous learning
- Anagrams of key words previously studied
- Rebus codes of key words previously studied, such as here
- A range of tasks based on previous errors made in exercise books- ask students to select from a range of activities
Good luck!
Anthony
Captured!
Captured
In the raffle for the Teaching and Learning book is:
Andy Sammons – Excellent work with Home Learning – nominated by Marcus Philpot
Andrea Dykxhoorn – Observed using differentiation to engage her students – nominated by Neil Miley
If DOLs have any nominations, please email dcarr@dixonsaa.com
The Learning Team
Andy Sammons
Kiran Ali
Emma Butterworth
Carolyn Shaw
Email: askant@dixonsaa.com
Website: www.dixonsaa.com
Location: Dixons Allerton Academy
Phone: ..