S02E12 - Jamie Clark on Simplifying Research and PD with One-Pagers
Jul 5, 2024
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Join English teacher and digital learning expert Jamie Clark as he shares insights from his book, One Pagers. He explains how simple, engaging one-pagers can radically enhance professional development and classroom learning. Jamie discusses his journey from teacher to learning designer, highlighting the significance of context and visual aids. He also unpacks effective instructional strategies like think-pair-share, urging educators to prioritize clarity and simplicity in their resources. Get ready for practical tips that make teaching more impactful!
Creating a positive learning culture is essential for student engagement and fostering active participation through accountability strategies like cold calling and turn and talk.
Using word diagrams enhances student understanding by visually organizing complex information and illustrating relationships between concepts to boost retention.
Simplicity and clarity in instructional resources, focusing on presenting one key idea per slide, are crucial for effective learning and cognitive load reduction.
Deep dives
The Importance of Cultural Shifts in Education
Creating a positive learning culture is vital for effective teaching and student engagement. A teacher's role is not just to deliver content but to foster an environment where students feel safe and encouraged to participate actively in discussions. Practicing strategies like cold calling, turn and talk, and the no opt-out method helps in promoting accountability among students. It's essential for a classroom culture where students are expected to engage, ask questions, and support each other’s learning.
Innovative Strategies for Knowledge Building
Word diagrams serve as an effective tool for building knowledge and connecting ideas in the classroom. These visual representations help students make sense of complex information by organizing their thoughts and illustrating relationships between concepts. Techniques like modeling and providing structured guidelines for creating word diagrams can yield tangible improvements in student understanding. By introducing students to visualization methods, educators can enhance retention and application of knowledge.
Designing Effective Learning Resources
When creating instructional resources such as slides, simplicity and clarity are paramount. Focus should be on presenting one key idea per slide while maintaining consistent alignment and using ample white space to avoid cognitive overload. Reducing clutter and selecting a limited color scheme helps to reinforce learning by directing students’ attention. This intentional design approach not only aids comprehension but also encourages teachers to be more methodical in their resource creation.
Utilizing One Pages for Practical Problem-Solving
To effectively implement resources like 'One Pages', educators must first identify the specific learning challenges they face. By pinpointing issues such as low engagement or ineffective study habits, teachers can select strategies from the book that address those particular needs. The book serves as a versatile tool, enabling teachers to dip into relevant strategies or embed them into professional development sessions. This ensures that the resource is used contextually, leading to meaningful discussions and improvements in practice.
Pedagogy First: Embracing Digital Integration
Incorporating digital technology in the classroom should prioritize pedagogical effectiveness over merely adopting new tools. Teachers are encouraged to establish clear reasons for using technology, ensuring that it enhances instructional quality rather than complicating existing practices. Effective usage of digital platforms, such as various quizzing apps, can support retrieval practices and reinforce learning. A thoughtful integration of technology that aligns with educational objectives leads to more impactful learning experiences.
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Jamie Clark, an English teacher and lead practitioner specialising in pedagogy and digital learning. They discuss his recently released book, One Pagers and unpack how it could be used. Jamie breaks down a number of the techniques mentioned in the book and describes his thinking process in putting it all together. He also provides some super useful tips on how teachers can design their own.
Resources mentioned:
Oliver Caviglioli
Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli - Teaching Walkthrus
Apple
Oliver Caviglioli and David Goodwin - Organising Ideas
John Catt Education
Ron Berger
S02E10 - Bron Ryrie Jones on Responsive Teaching and Instructional Playbooks