Brian's Blog

A strong foundation in education relies heavily on effective communication with parents. This communication goes beyond mere formalities; it acts as a bridge connecting the classroom and the home. By fostering a collaborative partnership between educators and parents, effective communication empowers all parties to support student learning and wellbeing. This, in turn, cultivates a cohesive and supportive educational environment for all. As the area that I live in has been impacted by severe weather and my own home was affected by flooding, it is more of a personal reflection than thoroughly backed by research. Though without much work, evidence backing my perspective is likely to be found. In this blog post, I will explore the importance of effective parent communication in fostering a successful educational experience for students. When educators and parents communicate effectively, they form a collaborative partnership that benefits everyone involved, most importantly the students. ...

In our role as educators, we constantly strive to equip students with the skills they need to excel not only academically but also in all facets of life. One such crucial skill is critical thinking, which enables individuals to analyse information, evaluate arguments, and make informed decisions. This skill is fundamental for success in today's complex and rapidly changing world (Facione, 2011). The purpose of this blog post is to demonstrate the significance of critical thinking and the transformative influence of visible thinking routines in nurturing this vital skill. The post aims to advocate for a shift in practices towards a more student-centred approach, enhancing student learning and promoting lifelong learning. This approach encourages students to become curious, reflective, and independent thinkers (Brookhart, 2017). Early in my teaching career, I was introduced to the work of Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison (2011) through Harvard University's Project Z...

In modern education, the term diversity has become a buzzword. However, it is also a reality in most classrooms that teachers must address. Students come from various cultural backgrounds, possess different learning styles, have different learning needs and diagnosis and approach schooling with a unique set of strengths and challenges (Tomlinson, 2001). To meet the needs of our diverse student population, schools must embrace differentiation and go beyond the one-size-fits-all approach by supporting teachers to make it a core element of their teaching philosophy. In this blog post, I aim to examine the significance of differentiation and its role in addressing the varied needs of students. My hope is it will serve as a resource to provide educators with insights and strategies to embrace diversity and tailor learning experiences to individual students. Ideally helping educators to see past the buzz and foster an inclusive and successful learning environment that caters to the needs of ...

Effective teaching hinges on educators having a clear vision of student achievement. Backward design, a method pioneered by Wiggins and McTighe (2005), facilitates this clarity. It prompts educators to begin with the end in mind, identifying desired learning outcomes before crafting lesson plans, assessments, and activities. By prioritising the destination of student learning, educators can strategically shine a light on and illuminate a map of the journey to get there, ensuring each step contributes meaningfully to student growth (Grant, 2002; Fullan & Langworthy, 2014) . In this blog post, I will explore how backward design can transform learning experiences. By starting with the end goal, educators can pinpoint what students should Know, Understand, and Do (KUDo’s). This deliberate approach not only fosters engagement but also cultivates essential skills such as understanding one's learning preferences (Fink, 2003) . By equipping students with the tools to comprehend their l...