How much do you talk?

I've been reflecting for a week now on the outcomes of a residential course I was on last week. There are a number of points that will impact on my practice.

1. My core purpose is learning.

I've often struggled over my subject or the education of the whole child. I now certainly think that the whole education of young people is more important than the survival of my subject.

My core purpose is not teaching. I was stunned to learn that the on average 95% of all questions in a classroom are asked by teachers. Is this the way it should be? Is this encouraging independent, reflective learners? I also found that most activities within a classroom are teacher led. Are pupils just learning what we want them too or should we allow them to direct their own learning?

2. Staff in school are a mixed ability cohort

I differentiate for my young learners and will use these approaches for adult learners.

3. Knowledge and Skills will change

'Shift Happens' has been around for a while and makes a valid point: if the knowledge and skills for future jobs are unpredictable. Why do we insist that pupils need knowledge? Shouldn't we be exploring deeper learning and engaging and help pupils to explore their emotional literacy.

Difficult issues. For example, why should we be teaching handwriting? Will this skill be needed by workers in the future?

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High Impact, Low effort

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David Rogers

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