Category Archives: Uncategorized

Known and unknown unknowns: why does knowledge not get valued in education?

I was listening to Carl Hendrick being interviewed on the Thought Stretchers podcast. The main thrust of the organisation behind the podcast is enquiry-based learning. Hendrick was being interviewed about the clash – real or perceived – between enquiry-based learning and the science of learning1. Patiently and articulately he pointed out that it isn’t aContinueContinue reading “Known and unknown unknowns: why does knowledge not get valued in education?”

‘The one thing’

There are times when my experiences in education and politics crossover more overtly. I guess this is no surprise: they’re both people-focused activities. This time the crossover was about communication, specifically message discipline. I’ve read a fair bit about educational leadership and change implementation. Consistent themes include the need to prioritise, checking people have theContinueContinue reading “‘The one thing’”

A framework for Teaching & Learning

Back in January I wrote a post about a new role I had begun looking at my school’s teaching and learning policy. Despite my best intentions, I haven’t provided the regular updates that I thought I might. The work has happened though, so I reckon reflections, of which a few may be more distant now,ContinueContinue reading “A framework for Teaching & Learning”

Knowledge and the curriculum in the age of AI

I have been reading Salman Khan’s book Brave New Words about the potential for artificial intelligence within education. Khan makes an interesting point about educationally-tailored AI, such as his own ‘Khanmigo’, being able to help students access courses, especially those that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them. This got me thinking about curriculum. While AIContinueContinue reading “Knowledge and the curriculum in the age of AI”

Making teaching rewarding

“Teaching should be a rewarding profession where teachers are empowered and supported to be the best creative professionals they can be” Dr Tristian Stobie in his forward to the Great Teaching Toolkit Evidence Review (2020) With the start of a new school term and a return to work, I am embarking on a new endeavourContinueContinue reading “Making teaching rewarding”

New beer resolutions

I came across one of Jeff Alworth’s blogposts the other day looking at how one might distinguish between ‘beer geeks’ and ‘beer nerds’. Alworth suggests that geeks are driven by consumption and collecting, while nerds are guided by a desire for deeper knowledge and understanding. This made me think about my companion in my craftContinueContinue reading “New beer resolutions”

The Terminal, Pittsburgh

I’ve just got back from a few days in Pittsburgh, which is a city with enough about it that a few days lets you scratch the surface rather than see it all. While walking around, I happened across a vast building now called The Terminal. Originally, this was the Pittsburgh Produce Terminal and the building’sContinueContinue reading “The Terminal, Pittsburgh”