TLTakeover 2013
Reflections on great CPD
What was it?
The sessions
Session 1 Intro
He is a fantastic and inspirational speaker who says it as it is. That a school is not a building but the community that inhabit it.
Collaboration is at the heart of all we do and sharing is what can make the difference. That events like this one and teachmeets are how education will develop. It is responding to the changing world and the needs of the students. I was really struck by the thought of not just being the best in my field but the best ever. He really made you believe you could be. Beyond Outstanding was a rating that we could create, that we could set the standards for. Don't settle for outstanding.
One message was clear, even if you think people are not listening, keep spreading the message. Some will follow, some will resist but may see something of use and those that don't want to change, just need it saying louder.
The bit that hit home was the video on dysfunctional teams below
Session 2 Planning
This was based on the 5 Minute session plan from @teachertoolkit but tweaked by @teachertweeks to fit their work.
We looked at the elements of planning required in a lesson, the simple but effective bits of information that would make a session great and a move away from some, most and all as it sets up failure in the class.
We looked at the hook. Making something to engage students from minute 1. A picture on the board, a chance to discuss a question, the use of scrabble letters linked to keywords or try and describe something without using certain words.
Next, planning groupings. how to get students working to get the best out of them. one great idea was having differentiated tables called home tables and the option to move to an away table to get extra support or challenge. Through discussion with my group we thought of grouping according to preferred style of output or ways of presenting.
Mixed ability groupings for sharing ideas and same ability for developing thoughts.
Progress, dispelling the myth of progress in 20 mins. Use pitstops (plenaries) to gauge progress based on teacher view of progress in session. Don't stop learning for the sake of it. Progress of student learning is the key not superficial progress to point out to an observer. Use question walls to reflect on learning, ABC critique (add, build, challenge) or a round robin conversation.
Finally the takeaway. What are the students leaving with. This is actually the start point of the planning as it is the bit you work towards. Not to get students to reflect on one thing they have learnt, a negative connotation that they only need to learn one thing, instead ask the main thing that they learnt. Other ideas include a news bulletin with todays top story. Or a twitter review in only 140 characters.
Session 3 SOLO
SOLO can be used in a variety of situations to push progress. The first three stages of the taxonomy are around surface learning, finding information. The last two stages are deeper learning. Where students make sense of the info and develop it further. SOLO is explained in the video below but the basics (using a lego model) are;
Pre structutral. Unsure of topic
Unistructural. Get one brick
Multistructural. Get a range of bricks
Relational. Put the model together sing a plan. Make the links
Extended Abstract. Now you know how they go together, make something else using the concept
Use it in planning, sequential journey of learning from one stage to the next. Or as an opt in where students choose were to start.
Lunch and the Genius Bar
It was nice to share ideas on how subjects can support Maths without losing the integrity of their own subject. Some interesting conversations with teachers around best practice and a chance to share my ideas and resources.
Session 4 Moving from the middle
We looked at what qualities a great leader will show and the difference between a manager and a leader. Great insight into SLT and leadership of a school. As a group we discussed what it took to be a great leader and how that would look in school.
Ideas such as the need t be flexible, strong but empathetic to staff needs and struggles. To be a good listener as well as communicator. To be able to see great leaders at all levels and use them. To support those in the school at all levels. To acknowledge good work. To differentiate between urgent and important. Urgent stuff rarely impacts on students progression, that's the important stuff.
great advice on getting the next step, ask for a whole school project, lead others. Put yourself in opportunities to develop things. Great leaders will then see, that for succession to be in place, middle leaders are in the right place.
Session 5 Leadership
Another great and emotive session from Mr Goddard, He talked about Marginal gains and how as a school they have focused on the little things to make a difference. What things make a great lesson. Not the planning, plenaries etc, but the welcome at the door, the interaction with students, the smiles. Added together, these are the things that make a great teacher. Do what makes a difference, Flip th organisation as the new teachers probably have the best ideas. To focus on the process not the outcome, the outcomes will be great if the process is. Don't use the word "if" and regular teachmeet staff sharing. These things make a great teacher.
Session 6 Wrapping up
A nice simple message. A picture of Evel Kneivel. Who is the dare devil in your school?
We then echoed the message from the start. That people needed support in developing. That there were different staff in a school. The Dolphins that have the ability to change and are ready to. The puppies that are ready to but not ability. The Sleeping Bears with the ability to but are not ready. And finally the Ungrateful dead, that have retired but not told anyone.