Scottish Teacher. Interested in Scottish Education, Effective Instruction and Professional Learning
Jul 7 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
I’ve spent some time reflecting on the EEF’s new Inclusive Teaching guidance.
What struck me most wasn’t what was new.
It was how much of it felt familiar.
Perhaps that’s exactly the point.
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1/ The guidance places high quality teaching at the heart of inclusion.
Strengthen universal classroom practice first.
Then make thoughtful adaptations and provide additional support where needed.
The order matters.
Jul 5 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
I’ve just finished reading a review on applying cognitive science in classrooms.
Some key takeaways for teachers 🧵
ojs.bustanilmu.com/index.php/IJER…1/ Cognitive science offers a strong theoretical foundation for teaching, but applying those principles well in real classrooms is more complex than simply knowing the theory.
Nov 3, 2024 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
Mastering Cold Calling in the Classroom
A 🧵
Introduction
Cold calling is a powerful teaching technique often misunderstood. This thread explores why cold calling is more than just picking students at random. It is a strategic method for engaging all learners and creating a culture of attention and participation.
Nov 1, 2024 • 8 tweets • 1 min read
How Classroom Displays Shape Student Focus and Learning
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Visual Noise Matters
The design of a classroom can significantly influence student engagement and learning. Excessive visual stimuli, such as cluttered bulletin boards and overdecorated spaces, lead to reduced on-task behaviour among students.
Nov 1, 2024 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
The 3 Most Prominent Myths in Education and Why They Persist
A 🧵
Education Myths: A Persistent Challenge
Education is brimming with widely-held beliefs that refuse to fade, despite evidence challenging them. Let’s explore the three most prominent myths that continue to influence educational practice and why they persist.
Oct 29, 2024 • 10 tweets • 2 min read
🧵Thread: Understanding Explicit Teaching
1. What is Explicit Teaching?
Explicit teaching is a structured, clear approach to instruction where teachers lead students through specific learning targets. It’s characterised by direct explanation, modelling, and practice, ensuring learners understand exactly what they are meant to know and do.
2. Why is Explicit Teaching Effective?
Explicit teaching supports all learners, especially those who may struggle with more implicit or exploratory methods. By breaking down tasks and guiding each step, it builds a strong foundation, enhances comprehension, and reduces ambiguity.
Oct 28, 2024 • 12 tweets • 2 min read
🧵 Understanding Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction: A Thread on the Science Behind Effective Teaching
Who was Barak Rosenshine?
Rosenshine was an educational psychologist who distilled years of research into 10 practical principles. These aren’t just teaching tips—they’re grounded in cognitive science, showing how the brain learns best and how teachers can leverage this.
Daily Review
Starting a lesson by reviewing prior knowledge helps solidify learning. It creates connections, keeps important information active in memory, and sets a strong foundation for new material. Research shows revisiting concepts helps shift knowledge to long-term memory.
Oct 20, 2024 • 8 tweets • 2 min read
Understanding Memory and Learning: A Journey Through Cognitive Science
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1. What is Learning?
Learning is the process through which we form connections between information and embed these into long-term memory. Imagine your brain as a filing cabinet: every experience, fact, or concept you encounter is like a document. Some documents are immediately stored for later use, while others might need revisiting to ensure they’re filed correctly. The goal of learning is to make sure the right “documents” are easily accessible when needed in the future.
Oct 18, 2024 • 8 tweets • 1 min read
How do students learn effectively?
In this thread, we explore key insights from cognitive science that can transform the way we teach and help students learn better. Let’s dive in! 👇
1/ Understanding How Students Learn
Students build new knowledge by linking it to what they already know. A well-sequenced curriculum and effective use of analogies help guide students through new concepts.
Nov 6, 2023 • 7 tweets • 1 min read
How do you ensure that all students are thinking hard about every question you ask?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Wait Time
Teachers notoriously don’t give enough.
The next time you ask a question wait 6-12 seconds and see what happens.
