Category Archives: Instruction

Three improvement strategies to make a difference to relationships and learning.

Posted on April 10, 2011 by mwalker

Over the past 2 months we have focused on preparing our teachers to differentiate instruction. I’m writing this post to explain to readers within my own community why this emphasis on preparation and why we need to adopt three different … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Assessment, coaching, Collaborative Communities, differentiation, Instruction, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Do you have a fixed or fluid mindset?

Posted on March 16, 2011 by mwalker

Occasionally you stumble upon some research that just makes sense. Well this research about the effects of fixed and fluid mindsets on student motivation made sense to me. Have you heard someone say they just no good at………… maths or … Continue reading →

Posted in Feedback, Instruction, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | 7 Comments

Differentiated Instruction

Posted on March 2, 2011 by mwalker

This post is a work in progress. I’m putting it up on my blog before this weeks instructional rounds for principals to view so that we can tune in to the problem of practice.

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things to do on the first day [or month] of school

Posted on January 30, 2011 by mwalker

I was reading What Ed Said blog and this post struck a cord with me. Next week during the first 3 days of school, which are pupil free for teacher professional development, my only session with the staff has a … Continue reading →

Posted in flexible learning spaces, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Do student incentives give the wrong messages?

Posted on December 15, 2010 by mwalker

As we finish the school year and pack up for Christmas and the summer holidays I’m starting to reflect on what we achieved this year and what’s part of the journey ahead. We have just finished a 3 year building … Continue reading →

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Hattie’s comments on the effect of feedback on student learning

Posted on December 9, 2010 by mwalker

  A few of Hattie’s comments on feedback that he made at a recent seminar struck a discord with me: Feedback is much more about what students receive than teachers give. When feedback is given to the whole class its received … Continue reading →

Posted in Feedback, Instruction, Leadership, reflections, Teaching, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hattie on the effects of various influences on student achievement: winners and disasters.

Posted on November 28, 2010 by mwalker

Last week our school leadership team spent the day with Professor John Hattie from Auckland University and his team from the the Visible learning Lab.  John has published his research in a book title Visible Learning and presents at lots … Continue reading →

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Donald Graves: a teacher of writing and an inspiration to many.

Posted on November 16, 2010 by mwalker

Professor Donald Graves of New Hampshire University recently died of pneumonia at the age of 80. In the early 1980’s his research on student writing which became known as  “process writing” had a profound influence on Australian educators including me. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Leadership, Uncategorized, Video Clips, writing | Leave a comment

One to One Computing

Posted on October 31, 2010 by mwalker

This book takes a serious historical and international look at the “digital pencil” movement to equip every student with a computing device with wireless connection. Using an ecological perspective as an overarching framework, and drawing on their own studies and … Continue reading →

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think divergently – encourage a DaVinci in your class or school [this century]: Post one

Posted on October 26, 2010 by mwalker

Sometimes you just stumble upon a great resource that helps you to challenge your own thinking. Well here is one by a well known writer, thinker and talker… Sir Ken Robinson. This clip is one to use and challenge others thoughts – … Continue reading →

Posted in flexible learning spaces, Instruction, school, school structures, Teaching, Video Clips | 3 Comments

Hard lessons for better leadership

Posted on September 21, 2010 by mwalker

I’ve been feeling a mixture of guilt, fatigue and overload over the past month as I grapple with work commitments and university study so the blog has gone somewhat quiet of late. But I couldn’t help notice this article by Professor … Continue reading →

Posted in Industrial Issues, Instruction, Leadership, school, school structures, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

High Expectations for all students.

Posted on August 30, 2010 by mwalker

High expectations for all – now that’s a trick. Marzano talks about how we stay with students [who get it quickly – brighter? – well in this discipline at least] longer with more demanding questions. One of the tricks is … Continue reading →

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Differentiated instruction the Holy Grail or something that can be done?

Posted on July 11, 2010 by mwalker

Last term our district instructional rounds team visited a school where the leadership team identified differentiation in instruction as the problem of practice. Nina and Jenni posted this clip on the Ning and I have copied it to my blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | 2 Comments

Data Teams: the ongoing quest to improve teaching and learning and not just the latest fad!

Posted on July 10, 2010 by mwalker

As our second semester begins we at Elsternwick have planned a series of 8 professional learning team meetings [PLT’s] on Monday nights to focus on the use of data to improve student learning. This carries on from the 6 PLT’s … Continue reading →

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Personalising Learning and Assessment in the 21 Century

Posted on July 1, 2010 by mwalker

  This little clip talks about using technology to personalise learning and record individualised assessments online. Its a timely reminded as we move forward with the Ultranet here in Victoria and the power of technology to personalise learning for students. … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | Leave a comment