The International Classroom Why Engaging Lessons Don’t Always Lead to Learning | Emily Folorunsho
What makes a lesson successful—and how do we know the learning lasts?
Emily Folorunsho joins Alex Gray to explore high expectations, classroom relationships, teacher development and AI. A former Head of History and co-author of Succeeding as a History Teacher, Emily shares how moving from London to Dubai challenged her approach, and why some of her most exciting lessons taught her to look more closely at what pupils actually remembered.
We discuss:
• Seeing potential beyond a pupil’s starting point
• Moving from busy activities to lasting understanding
• Combining warmth, boundaries and academic challenge
• Protecting teacher judgement as AI becomes more capable
• Choosing CPD that changes classroom practice
• Making teaching sustainable and enjoyable
Alex also shares the AI planning workflow he is developing, while Emily raises a familiar dilemma: when technology saves us time, why do we give ourselves more to do?
GUEST AND RESOURCES
Connect with Emily on LinkedIn
Succeeding as a History Teacher — Emily Folorunsho and Laura Gladwin
The Learning Rainforest — Tom Sherrington
Principles of Instruction — Barak Rosenshine, PDF
Effective Professional Development — EEF
Teaching History journal — Historical Association
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