[#teaching, #learning & #PD] That's x3 MENA resources orientation webinars down, and 4 to go - for this week. I wanted to share a reflection so far, inspired and reminded by Alex Gray on the topic of #retrievalpractice. Not with learners, but with teachers in PD! We often assume teaching professionals know all the basics. But it's been fascinating to incorporate this into my sessions this week.
In my context, retrieval practice can be relating to definitions, content knowledge etc. And this week, I’ve been doing it with the following words. These are all important approaches and features of the #CambridgeInternational curriculum, and a part of the underpinning pedagogy with which our #resources are designed:
+ Differentiation
+ Active learning
+ Metacognition
+ Skills for life
+ Language awareness
+ Assessment for Learning
Quizzing teachers on the correct definition for each of these might seem too basic, especially to some experienced teachers. But when I did this content in a Kahoot based format with a definition quiz, the results were not a straight 100%. There were mistakes. See the poll results in image 2 & 3.
Of course there are lots of factors playing into that data. My webinars are online, not everyone could join the Kahoot or engage in the chatbox, some may not have good access to reading while others do, others may respond better to hearing rather than reading etc.
In any case, the point of this is that this #retrievalpractice helped, as a warmer activity.
I followed this with a question about what teachers might like to focus on developing in their teaching practice this year. Because the chances are, if they couldn't get the definition correct - it's likely a topic they aren't altogether familiar with in general.
In the poll, almost 70% identified #metacognition as the one they felt unsure about and wanted to improve on (no surprises for me there, head nod to Liz Keable!).
Here's the reason I’ve been doing this short #recallandreflect activity before the orientation of the resources:
👍 It allows teachers to note which areas they recognise they need to spotlight or focus on in their professional development.
👍As we move through the orientation of the resources, it allows individual teachers to spotlight the features and components of their new tools that are going to be most relevant to their individual development.
👍The idea is that this helps provide a more individualized experience for teachers joining what is considered a more general training session, designed to help onboard new teachers to a new suite of resources.
#overtoyou: If you followed my train of thought down to here, I'd love to know: of those six things mentioned above, which are you most confident or least confident in? Which do you want to give special attention to in this new academic year?
P.S. Celebratory break between sessions with a sweet treat from India: kajol katli - one of my faves. 😍
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