GoogleDocs and GoogleClassroom Tutorial Links

Thank you to all who attended our first TeachMeet of the new academic year. Members of CIG used part of the session to deliver a guide to using GoogleDocs and GoogleClassroom. Links can be found below to useful tutorials, however do not hesitate to contact CIG members should you require further guidance.

Drive:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/drive

Docs:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/docs

Slides:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/slides

Sheets:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/sheets

Forms:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/forms

Gmail:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/gmail

Calendar:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/calendar

Classroom:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/classroom

Chrome:

https://sites.google.com/edtechteam.com/bootcampresourcelibrary/tutorials/chrome

Higher Ability Pupils - An Enquiry

Zoe Hyde writes: The notion of differentiation has been key in developing students learning. However, through my experiences of teaching higher ability students, they struggle to be challenged in some areas of our teaching. Games based learning, can be a strong way to engage and motivate our students. As they aim to engage and motivate learners and promote their enjoyment of History. I have focused on ideas such as the Medieval life – Barter game (Year 7), Dragons Den inventor’s project (Year 8) and Active Trench Warfare (Year 9). As the literature surrounding this topic suggests, ‘games ‘typically embody active and constructivist pedagogies’ for example: experimental learning, problem based learning and collaborative learning. Secondly, they produce ‘mechanisms that can motivate and engage some learners’, this can be achieved through the structure of rules, goals and rewards. 

From carrying out student voice it showed that students felt the most challenged ‘when they were not given a structured plan and where teachers trusted them to move away from what they know’. They also expressed an interest in further master-classes which could be run on a regular basis. Following this I led the History HAPs masterclass day on the 13th July, encouraging the students to get a better understanding of parliament, the House of Lords and elections. During the day, the students engaged in the government run session #LordsLive

Developing challenge in the classroom is vital if we are to encourage higher ability pupils to strive and be able to access a variety of different opportunities. However it is important that students are recognised for their different abilities in different subjects, and HAPs is not used as a blanket term for some students. Linking to Whitton’s research it is clear that each individual student learns in a unique way, which became clear from the student voice activities. To develop this study, HAPs could be built into individual curriculum's, especially linked with assessment, and good practice shared across the trust.

Teaching and Learning Blogs

So of course this will be your number one blog from now on- but as we know learning never ends, what other Teaching and Learning blogs are out there? Let us do the searching for you and please find below some useful links.

1. Teachers Toolkit - http://www.teachertoolkit.me/blog/ 
Regarded as one of the most influential blogs discussing the state of education in the UK, Te@cher Toolkit is a must visit for any education professional. Run and authored by Ross McGill – an experienced deputy headteacher, the site’s a leading authority in the field and offers a tonne of actionable tips and advice. 

2. We are Teachers - https://www.weareteachers.com/

This site is ‘an online community for educators committed to one of the toughest, most rewarding jobs out there’. Their content helps inspire teachers with classroom ideas, resources, and comments on what’s going on in the industry. 

3. Teacherhead- https://teacherhead.com/

Tom Sherrington is education consultant with 29 years’ of teaching and headteaching experience behind him. His blog, Teacherhead, acts as the home for all of Tom’s advice, which crosses a wide span of topics including books you should read as a teacher to common pitfalls.

Welcome to Mangotsfield Moments!

So Mangotsfield Colleagues - want to have your finger on the pulse when it comes to Teaching and Learning? Then this is the first place you will want to look! Welcome to our blog - written, created and designed entirely by Mangotsfield Teachers for Mangotsfield Teachers because we know what our students need to make lessons engaging and fun. Follow closely, using either the link on the school website or save https://mangotsfieldmoments.blogspot.com/ to your favourites.