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
Mark’s Visitor Map
Readers Map
Category Archives: Leadership
Having fun “joining in” – playing with the image of principal.
Over the past few weeks there have 2 work occassions where I felt a need to “join in”. As a general rule I don’t like dressing up in fancy dress. It’s not that I feel I have a conservative image of a principal … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Carol Tomlinson: an encounter to remember!
This year in our Instructional Rounds group within the local network of schools we purchased Carol Tomlinson’s book “Leading and Managing A Differentiated Classroom” to use as a base text for understanding our observation of instruction in classrooms. Last year … Continue reading
Why are we still asking questions about students repeating or being retained in the 21st century?
I was requested to publish an updated post on the research around students repeating or being retained in the same level class. This post was first published some 3 years ago and surprise surprise the issue hasn’t gone away. In summary I reported then, using … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, parenting, Repeating Classes, school, Teaching
Tagged http://bounceback.com.au/files/article_repeating_06.pdf, http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/school_stuff/repeating.html, http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6970000/newsid_6974800/6974858.stm, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/parenting/2008190324_faull20.html, http://www.stepfamily.asn.au/forum/index.php?topic=29643.msg442659
7 Comments
Principal’s can graduate too!
Here are three shots that capture parts of my graduation from Monash University with a Masters in School Leadership. Two shots were taken with the supervising professors from Monash and my mentor and friend Ray at a Department of Education presentation … Continue reading
Aspirant Leaders Program
Recently I met a group of enthusiastic aspirant leaders at the start of their year long professional learning program. Aspirant leaders, I think, is in many ways a misleading title as these teachers are already leaders in their own classrooms, or teams or school. … Continue reading
Posted in Aspirant Program, Leadership, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Elmore on the challenges in schools
I used this clip on the first day this year with teachers when the question was raised about teachers letting go [stop talking to the whole class] after a challenging task was set [some scaffolding has already occurred].
Posted in Leadership, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Leave a comment
Reflections on closing the school year
Now that the school year has closed for 2010 and we start to unwind and prepare for the festive and summer holiday period with family and friends its an opportune time to sit back and reflect on the last month … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, reflections, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Neat way of showing data.
I saw this clip courtesy of Darrell Fraser. Increasingly I think its not good enough to simply collect and interpret data which we do lots of in schools . Its about distilling the essential messages so that they are clear … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
Memorable quote for leaders!
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, reflections, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
Rounds a constructivist challenge and a tool to build a culture that values the ‘chops’.
I was honoured recently to participate in a 1/2 day conversation with Professor Richard Elmore from Harvard University on Instructional Rounds. He spoke about where the protocols of Instructional Rounds first developed, the pivotal problem of practice, the challenge of … Continue reading
Posted in Instructional Rounds, Leadership, Teaching, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
7 survival skills for 21st century classrooms and schools: post 2
After listening to Sir Ken Robinson talk about the history of education and challenge why we do things and then listen to Chris Betcher continue the challenge with a DaVinci in the classrooms – I poist so what do we … Continue reading
Hasta la Vista!
I couldn’t help the image but I thought of those immortal words when he – yes Arnie – said “Hasta la Vista” which means of course “I’ll be back”. I’ve been busy completing a Masters Course this year – and wait … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Masters in Education Course
1 Comment