Category Archives: Teaching and Learning

History Teachers Association HTA – Free resources

Posted on by
Reply

Some great free history webinars and meetings for while you are at home if you are a member of HTA. http://www.htansw.asn.au/online-meeting-events?fbclid=IwAR0QZ_wi3aXid6B6c6vDQRc-mT34YgmjhV2tfMsfm-EhIzz5ww_sGSlyaCk

Also some links to free ebooks that you could put in your google classrooms if the topic is right. https://ancienthistoryresources.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR1RQTcDPVMVsOXT2xaiMaw-IUUfGbWmo6uKL_Rma7Rc83cLQmmNq-GAa8Q​

Libraries of the Future

Posted on by
Reply

The SMH published a fascinating article by Stephen Heppell who argues that “The traditional environments where teachers and students engage need to improve with move with the times.” Of course we have all seen highly imaginative futuristic articles prophesying about schools in the 21st century and even beyond – not all of which have been compelling – but Heppell’s article is well worth a read.

Just one comment. Not everything is new. For example, I taught in a primary school in the 1990’s in which the ‘open plan’ approach to cross-curricular collaboration and ‘delivery’ where the conceptual and physical ‘architecture’ within which the teaching and learning took place, was entirely consistent in both theory and practice with the following comment in Heppell’s article.
“Certainly, there are times when it remains appropriate, and often enjoyable, for a teacher to stand in front of the class and offer old-school instruction. But that can’t be the only tool in their kitbag and we can’t just design learning around those special all-together moments. We need to be able to see multiple teaching strategies in the same space. Students need the opportunity to work on their own, often at a computer with high-speed internet access; they need to be able to work together in groups of different sizes; and they need areas for quiet concentration. They need small group collaboration.”
And I am sure that such teaching and learning flexibility is well and truly alive in our schools in 2015!
Post thanks to Dr Paul Brock   Director, Learning and Development Research,  Office of the Secretary, Department of Education and Communities

The Power of Persuasion – Motivating Students

Posted on by
Reply

Here is 4 minute video by Daniel Pink (sales guru and persuasion expert) about how to encourage/persuade people in to action. It maybe worth reflecting  how this idea about motivating people may already be relevant to how we teach our students….especially my Year 11 and 12 students who often need a big shove when on study periods in the library.

How to Persuade Others with the Right Questions: ……….

http://youtu.be/WAL7Pz1i1jU