Magic?

Need a bit of something to get the grey matter going? Have a read of this.

(photo is of Jane CD at the recent Digital Photography workshop, with tutor, Leigh Preston)

Terry to the rescue

I have just changed to a different lap top and was unable to get the projector and laptop to 'talk to each other'. No matter how many times I did what I had done in the past I had no luck and learners were about to arrive! Fortunately Terry Aldred (hope I have your surname spelt correctly Terry - apologies if not) arrived to offer IAG to my learners. Within seconds the problem was sorted. The Fn key (bottom left of the computer) and the F3 key (along top row of keys) were pressed and 'hey presto'. This just demonstrates how learning on one's own guarantees big gaps in fundamental knowledge. For some reason the old laptop and projector connected without this simple operation. I am sharing this in case there is someone else out there that did not have this crucial knowledge and also to flag up the need for continuing opportinities to join training courses for using the IT equipment. How about a monthly surgery - where we can come with unsolved problems and/or learn how to use another piece of equipment?
sara

Everybody's talking at me...

Just a quick note on the sort of activities we've been running in our programmes called 'The Amazing Family Space Circus'. The video shows how children and adults can practise their speaking/listening skills, improve on their ability to give and take instruction as well as have a bit of fun at the same time!
This activity has proved to be really popular; several children who attend our sessions have speech problems and are regularly seen by a speech therapist. Both the therapist and teaching staff have commented on the improvement of these children on their involvement in class and their contributions to class discussions.
How do you play this version? Well, you have to demonstrate the game first. One person draws an 'alien' on their mini whiteboard, without their partner seeing. They then have to describe the alien to their partner, who tries to copy it on their own mini whiteboard.
The game can then progress to making aliens out of playdough!
I have attached a short video of a group in action - it's a bit noisy, but gets the point across well.

You're never too old - sequel

further to my last blog, in the course evaluation one elderly lady's observation was that "her brain had been asleep and that this had woken her up, now she's thinking about things, and reading again ..."

I was going to attach mp3 audio file of this conversation to this blog, but couldn't work out how to!! is it possible, Jane?

never too old!

In my Foundation English class a couple of weeks ago I recorded a group of ladies (all in their 70's) talking about their Diwali Shopping expedition to Leicester, which was obviously a fantastic day out! One of the ladies looked at the recorder and said "Oh, its an ipod, I'd love one of those!"

they've been learning past tense since then, so after some present/past matching games and practice I replayed the recording, asking them to listen for wrong (or no!) use of past tense. The looks of revelation were a picture! absolutely no coyness about either being recorded or hearing themselves, just concentrating on the job in hand.

motto: 1. you're never too old 2. give every listening task a sharp focus

Isn't the internet a wonderful resource?

Remember Cassette Tapes?
Originally uploaded by Erica_Marshall

Last week I completed a complicated online form asking permission to transfer an audio tape we have onto CD. Amazingly the suppliers are still selling the tape, not CD, with their workbooks. Very kindly they have agreed we can do this so now the dilemma was - how do I do it? Googling "transfer audio tape to CD" immediately brought up nearly half a million suggestions. How did we find these things out before Google?

Your Number's Up

Wednesday evening, 12th November, a group of Maths tutors (collective noun unknown) congregated at the Archdeacon Centre to share good practice and discover more about the Standards Unit's ideas for improving learning in mathematics; a new approach to teaching which both empowers the learner and is effective in making sure what is learned is retained. This is achieved using 'challenging' rather than 'transmission' techniques, very much in line with the methodology current PGCE students are practising. It's all about collaboration with other learners and trying not to 'compartmentalise' maths so that all areas are 'covered'.

I am still coming to terms with this 'new' teaching method myself, but felt so excited about the possibilities I wanted to share them with other like minded tutors. I feel there can be an over emphasis of showing 'methods' followed by the learners trying related problems - this leads to short retention of information and an abundance of hand outs and worksheets, something that Lesley Wagstaffe mentioned would be frowned upon in an inspection.

Using these techniques, it seems more is less. I am approching my planning and teaching in a more creative way, which makes it much more enjoyable for all concerned. I'm so intrigued by this approach, I am trying them out with some of my literacy groups with some very promising feedback and results.

The pictures show the numeracy tutors in action trying out the Maths4Life challenge called 'The Car Race'. This particular puzzle has several ways in which it can be solved, but the emphasis is on discussion, collaboration and participation. The numeracy tutors used felt pens to solve the answer (the order of the racing cars). It would be great to run another session with a few more tutors. I think those that did attend found it useful to share best practice.