Improving classroom performance20110428: Spoon Feed No More, Practical Applications For Effective Teaching and Learning UK Edition

With experience as teachers, observers and trainers, Stephen Chapman, Steve Garnett and Alan Jervis of Dragonfly Training have produced a timely treasure chest of a book which will inspire new teachers as well as reinvigorate more experienced ones who are looking for fresh ideas free of jargon. This is a handbook for bringing the best out of teachers and learners alike. With strategies that apply across most subjects, along with insights into educational research that directly impacts on classrooms, the prime beneficiaries from every idea on every page will be the learners. Divided into four parts, the book looks first at six key principles of effective teaching, offering practical advice on how to keep lessons consistently successful. There is discussion of effective lesson structures, including Dragonfly s famous da Vinci moment . Time-tried methods that work are reinforced, while other less effective strategies are put under the microscope. Inevitable daily difficulties are tackled honestly on a can do premise: with sound principles in place the learning conversation has a much improved chance of success. Part 2, At the Chalkface , takes a careful look at the details of daily classroom teaching, including the basics that a new teacher is working on to become second nature (eyes, voice, body language, behaviour management, etc.), but providing a list for more experienced teachers to check back to key principles. With sections on making your teaching life easier (the teacher doing less so the learner does more), marking, rewards and using ICT to the maximum, there is good up-to-date advice on a mixture of lasting favourites and newer questions: Are there different ways of marking? Am I praising students in the best possible way? How else could I arrange the classroom? Is my room a classroom for learning ? Tools of the Trade presents forty-five teaching ideas to improve learning dramatically. Clear descriptions, helpful illustrations and a summary enhance a new toolkit for today s teachers. The essential spirit of conversation between teacher and learner is retained, but learners are actively involved and drawn into creative ideas. There are suggestions here for every teacher to pick from: the tools will easily suit different teaching styles. The final part, The A to Z of Teaching , contains twenty-six topics to help teachers. Brief discussions are followed by useful web links for further research. From Assessment for Learning to ZZZZZZ (toxic sleep), from Virtual Learning Environments to Discipline, the topics and links are many and varied and will sit comfortably for reference alongside any teacher s computer. This is a very welcome addition to modern books on teaching techniques. An Aladdin s Cave of practical ideas that work, it will be of interest to anyone who is dedicated to successful classrooms where learners are inspired to learn more and teachers are supported to reflect on and develop their skills. Open Sesame! –Andrew Brown, Director of Professional Development, Marlborough College, Wiltshire

… does what it says on the tin, all school departments should have a copy. –Hilary Keens, Assistant Head, Regents Park Community College, Southampton