In these current changing times, learning online has rapidly become part of our students’ lives. One element of using technology is accessing games. In the physical classroom we utilise mathematical hands-on games to engage students, practice important number sense skills, and to provide opportunities to develop critical thinking skills that many games (within their strategic…
Keeping up with current research is an essential part of any teacher’s pursuit for improving practice. Our learning isn’t over once we graduate from university, in fact it is only just beginning. Although much of teaching is about on-the-job learning, we must also continue to adapt our teaching to suit the differing needs, interests and…
Teaching is hard work, and learning isn’t easy. It is time to appreciate the complexity of the job and to talk about the real purpose of education, to improve student learning. Actually, it could be better phrased as to improve an individual’s learning. Something that all teachers work hard to achieve. To help students move…
As a new year begins, planning and programming are often the focus for classroom teachers. It’s a time to try new things, adapt what has worked before, and think about what makes a great lesson. For mathematics, as with any subject area, flexibility is the key. Catherine Attard (@attard_c) provided some good advice regarding lesson…
As we start a new year with a new class, we often begin our teaching and learning cycle by asking ourselves “What do our students already know?” Building on prior knowledge, whether students have already been at school or not, is an essential practice as we guide students through the learning continuum of content. So…
Considering the interim report on the review of curriculum conducted by the NSW Education and Standards Authority (NESA), and putting it into a broader context.
Teachers are legally required to deliver the Australian Curriculum to our students, in some States this is through syllabus documents. The Australian Curriculum website includes support pages of content, achievement standards, and examples of student work. Each State or Territory also provides support material particular to that context; many are accessible online. Teachers can have…
In light of last week’s SMH article by Jordan Baker regarding private tutoring, I thought this would be a good opportunity to expand on some of the current thinking and discourse surrounding this topic. Being ‘for’ or ‘against’ tutoring is not the ultimate focus for this blog. In fact, as with many aspects of education, it…
Considering ‘Tetris’. Mark Scott, Secretary of the NSW Department of Education (DoE), was recently part of a collaboration between The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) in a get-together titled ‘Schools Summit – Future frameworks for challenging times’…
If learning is an active process, what does that mean for me as the teacher and what is my role in the classroom?