1:1 reading, AI in schools, challenges ahead for the DfE and Labour, and more...
Aug 3, 2024
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In this insightful discussion, educators Chris Such and Neil Almond tackle pressing issues in primary education. They explore the significance of personalized 1:1 reading strategies to address individual student needs. With AI's growing role, they discuss its potential benefits and challenges in classrooms, including data privacy. The duo also examines the hurdles facing the new Labour government and the DfE regarding educational reforms and assessment methods, raising crucial points for the future of teaching.
Effective 1:1 reading sessions require tailored approaches that consider individual student needs, balancing phonics with comprehension discussions.
The discussion highlights potential education policy changes under the new Labour government, emphasizing stability in literacy instruction and curriculum reforms.
Deep dives
Contradictions in Ofsted Recommendations
The discussion highlights the contradictions between two key Ofsted documents regarding science education, 'Maintaining Curiosity' and the 2021 research review. The former promotes a teaching style that prioritizes student interest and inquiry-based learning, suggesting that understanding will follow from exploration. In contrast, the latter emphasizes the importance of substantive knowledge in teaching science, calling for a more structured approach. This inconsistency raises questions about the reliability of Ofsted's guidance and suggests that educators should critically evaluate pedagogical recommendations.
Insights on Online Professional Development
A research paper on online professional development suggests that creating elaborate advanced organizers may not significantly enhance teacher learning outcomes. The paper involving Chris Such indicates that the quality of the resources may have been sufficiently high that the advanced organizer's impact was negligible. This finding invites further exploration into the effectiveness of high-quality materials in professional development programs compared to traditional organizers. Such insights underscore the importance of evidence-based practices in enhancing teacher training.
Effective One-on-One Reading Strategies
In discussing one-on-one reading sessions, the importance of tailored instruction based on individual student needs is emphasized. If a student struggles with the basics of reading, the focus should be on phonics, while fluent readers may benefit from comprehension discussions. Effective sessions should also involve modeling and correcting decoding errors while encouraging students to demonstrate their understanding interactively. This approach fosters not only decoding and fluency skills but also enhances student motivation and comprehension.
Concerns About Future Educational Policies
The conversation touches on potential changes in education policy under the new government, primarily concerning curriculum and assessment reforms. There are worries that a return to outdated practices in reading instruction, particularly a shift away from systematic phonics, could occur as a reaction to political changes. Maintaining the current emphasis on phonics is deemed crucial for effective literacy instruction. Additionally, the necessity for balanced changes rather than drastic overhauls in curricula underscores the need for stability and reflection within educational practices.
Episode 188: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Chris Such and Neil Almond for another round of answering unseen questions from listeners. Including...
What is the best use of 1:1 reading time?
What is the best research paper to use to kick-off a primary maths PLC?
What advancements do you expect in the way schools/teachers will use AI next year?
What are the biggest challenges facing the new Labour government/DfE?
Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one...
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