Mark's Learning Log- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024As we enter the Christmas Holiday period in Australian Schools it’s time to reflect on some trends and wonder are we getting better. I know that’s a broader query but a recent Google link on my phone this morning got … Continue reading →mwalker
- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024I have this wondering that we are teaching all students in the class – as a whole class lesson – in the junior years as though they all needed the intensive phonic instruction and frequent repetition. Yes some explicit instruction … Continue reading →mwalker
- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024
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Category Archives: Instruction
A new Internet paradigm for learning.
Last month I was fortunate to hear Mark Treadwell [pictured above] speak to a group of aspirant leaders I am mentoring. He had some I think important things to say about learning and I think leadership. He began the morning … Continue reading
Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Instruction, school, Teaching, Technology, Uncategorized
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Three improvement strategies to make a difference to relationships and learning.
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
Do you have a fixed or fluid mindset?
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
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Differentiated Instruction
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.
Posted in differentiation, Instruction, Teaching
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things to do on the first day [or month] of school
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
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Do student incentives give the wrong messages?
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
Posted in Feedback, Instruction, Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
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Hattie’s comments on the effect of feedback on student learning
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
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Donald Graves: a teacher of writing and an inspiration to many.
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
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One to One Computing
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
think divergently – encourage a DaVinci in your class or school [this century]: Post one
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
Hard lessons for better leadership
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
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High Expectations for all students.
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
Posted in Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized
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Differentiated instruction the Holy Grail or something that can be done?
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
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Data Teams: the ongoing quest to improve teaching and learning and not just the latest fad!
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
Posted in Assessment, Instruction, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
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