Daisy Christodoulou, a former teacher and director of No More Marking, delves into her experiences and insights on education. She shares her thoughts on enhancing writing skills through structured methodologies and discusses the lessons learned during lockdown, including transformative literary discoveries. Daisy critiques the integration of technology in classrooms, emphasizing the need for effective use over mere presence. Finally, she challenges enduring educational myths, advocating for clarity in assessment practices to improve student learning outcomes.
Daisy emphasizes the importance of appreciating small joys during lockdown, like exploring diverse literature and engaging in new activities.
The discussion highlights technology's potential in education, stressing the need for thoughtful integration despite previous misuses in classrooms.
A strong focus on effective writing instruction is advocated, advocating a balanced approach that combines structured lessons with clear pedagogical objectives.
Deep dives
Impact of Lockdown on Personal Life
During the lockdown, the speaker highlights the experience of adapting to a new normal. Instead of lamenting lost opportunities, the speaker embraced activities such as running and exploring unexpected literature. They found joy in reading various genres, including unexpected titles like an abridged version of the 'Gulag Archipelago' and war diaries. This time of reflection underscored the importance of appreciation for small joys during uncertain situations.
The Relevance of Technology in Education
The speaker discusses the timely relevance of technology in education, especially with the shift to remote learning during lockdown. They share reflections on their book about teachers and technology, noting that its contents became unexpectedly pivotal during this period of online education. There was a notable realization that technology, despite its flawed executions in classrooms, holds significant potential that cannot be overlooked. The evolving nature of remote learning has prompted educators to engage more thoughtfully with technology's role in enhancing teaching and learning.
Challenges of Interactive Whiteboards
The narrative includes insights on the roll-out of interactive whiteboards in education and their actual implementation in classrooms. Despite being hailed as a revolutionary tool, these boards were often misused merely as projectors rather than fully utilized for their interactive capabilities. This misuse raises questions about investment in technology and the actual pedagogical training teachers receive. The speaker highlights the disparity between the technology's intended use and the reality of its practical application in the educational context.
The Need for Effective Writing Instruction
The discussion around effective writing instruction emphasizes the necessity of focusing on sentence structure and vocabulary development. The speaker critiques the dichotomy of immersion and rules in teaching writing, suggesting a blended approach that leverages well-organized examples and direct instruction techniques. They advocate for breaking down writing lessons to focus on essential components, aiming to build a strong foundation for learners. This method ultimately leads to improved writing skills and emphasizes clarity in teaching objectives.
Continuous Improvement Through Assessment
The importance of measurement and assessment in education is underscored as vital for tracking progress and ensuring effective learning outcomes. The speaker explains that transparent measures in writing can help teachers understand student growth and identify areas needing improvement. They suggest that meaningful assessment provides essential feedback that informs instructional strategies, promoting a cycle of continuous improvement. By evaluating the effectiveness of teaching methods through data analysis, educators can adapt to better meet the needs of their students.
Daisy Christodoulou is a former teacher and is currently director of No More Marking, an online engine which aims to help teachers with comparative-judgement assessment of school work. Daisy's influential 2013 book Seven Myths About Education reflected on her work as a teacher and some of the myths she once subscribed to. In this episode, Greg Ashman talks to Daisy about lockdown, her new book, Teachers versus Tech, teaching writing, and bad ideas in education.
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