Co-author of The Teaching and Learning Playbook | Learning Design @Ambition_Inst | Former DSL / T&L lead / English teacher
May 25, 2024 • 25 tweets • 4 min read
Why is disruptive behaviour like a headache?
A thread.
Firstly, a headache is frustrating and distracting. It inhibits concentration and is frankly just a pain in the arse. So far, so similar.
Dec 15, 2023 • 24 tweets • 4 min read
On academic rigour, experiences, belonging, joy, memory, and sticking a film on for the end of term.
A thread.
There is very mixed evidence, to say the least, on whether student practicals in science positively impact learning. But school is the only time in most people’s lives they will have the opportunity to do an experiment in a science lab.
Dec 6, 2023 • 25 tweets • 4 min read
Teaching is a weak link game.
What does this mean, and why is it important?
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A weak link game is one in which success is determined more by the quality of the weakest component than by the quality of the strongest.
Dec 1, 2023 • 23 tweets • 4 min read
Why are we strict (and why does it matter?)
A thread.
We’ll define ‘strict’ crudely as having rules that are functionally intolerant of disruption, and enforcing those rules through sanctions with a high level of consistency and very few exceptions.
Sep 18, 2023 • 25 tweets • 4 min read
“Behaviour communicates unmet need.”
A thread in which I will aggravate almost everyone.
It seems pretty obvious that behaviour often communicates unmet need. This shouldn’t be controversial; in fact, it’s explicitly stated in the SEND code of practice and in DfE-stamped NPQ SENCO framework.
Jan 18, 2023 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
I find it useful to think about where the ‘burden of proof’ is placed in public discourse.
E.g. most media coverage of the gender reform bill tacitly or explicitly places the burden on trans people to prove that the imaginary harms argued by the GC movement won’t transpire.
This despite a convincing body of evidence amassed via similar laws in other countries that the harms are imaginary and will not transpire. Anti-trans activists are rarely asked to explain this - they rarely have the burden placed on them.
Jan 11, 2023 • 15 tweets • 3 min read
Why don’t teachers get better?
A thread.
Firstly, they do! All the evidence says they do. The ‘teacher plateau’ is a myth - at least its inevitability is a myth. Better to say, teachers don’t *automatically* get better: conditions have to be right.
Can’t blame a @DTWillingham fan for a provocative question title though
