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Alastair Fielden 
10.11.17How Do Small Groups Benefit Learners?
With increasing class sizes in many schools across the UK, it is understandable that many parents and carers may be anxious about how their offspring are coping in larger classes. It is not surprising that small group sessions, catch-up programmes and intervention strategies are being employed both in and outside of school time in an … Continued
Alastair Fielden 03.11.17Remember, Remember!
Learning relies heavily on our short-term or working memory. Some pupils seem to struggle with carrying out and completing tasks, while other pupils seem to have very few problems. Among the different reasons for struggle, working memory issues are a contributing factor. Picture working memory as a mental ‘note pad’ in which we hold a … Continued
Alastair Fielden 27.10.17Research Supports Writing Ideas
In my articles on encouraging reluctant writers over the past year or so, I have proposed various activities that can stimulate, motivate and assist our young writers with this process. These ideas emerged out of the need to support students of various ages, some with specific difficulties and/or memory issues which affected their writing processes, … Continued
Natalie Preece 25.10.17Theatre in education and the social and emotional development of young people
Kevin & Perry (Enfield, Burke), Lauren Cooper (Catherine Tate), Vicky Pollard (Matt Lucas), any teacher would dread finding any one of these names on their register. TV, film and literature have provided us with some classic teenage archetypes. All of these characters share similar traits; over reactions, a lack of rationality and heaps of attitude. … Continued
Alastair Fielden 04.10.17The Assistive Side Of Ed Tech
We jump in our car, turn it on and expect it to get us from A to B without needing to understand its internal workings, unless one happens to be into vehicle mechanics. Most of us approach the use computing devices in the same way; we turn it on, expect it to work and call … Continued
connect_staff 28.09.17The Importance Of Drama And Theatre In Education
Most people are familiar with the Chinese proverb “tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand. Step back and I will act”. Theatre in education is the embodiment of this sentiment. Embracing the pupil as an active participant in the learning process. This empowers the … Continued
connect_staff 21.09.17Revamp Of Primary Assessment
After a twelve-week consultation, the UK government’s website announced this September its plans to, “create a stable and proportionate primary assessment system for the long-term.” These reforms are intended to: Introduce a new baseline assessment at the start of reception from September 2020 Make the Early Learning Goals clearer, aligning them closely with Key Stage … Continued
Susan Day 20.09.17Teacher Retention: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
A famous song by The Clash but very much the tune of choice in many teachers’ heads. Teacher recruitment in the UK is reaching crisis point. By 2025 there will be 3 million pupils of secondary school age, but very few of these are choosing careers for themselves in the world of education. We hear every … Continued
Kirsty Macfarlane 15.09.17Improving University Recruitment And Retention
Recent surveys have left several UK universities falling behind bench marks set for student satisfaction. Furthermore, application rates have decreased in 2017 by 4%, while research from 2016 indicates that only 37% of British students believe that their university offers value for money. It is clear that many factors such as increased fees and less … Continued
Kirsty Macfarlane 13.09.17Connect Are Now Working With Bath Spa University
Connect are delighted to announce they are working in association with the Institute for Education at Bath Spa University who will be using C-Live, our innovative teacher-training aid as part of their teacher training programmes from September onwards. Bath Spa is a teaching-led university, committed to promoting excellence which is one of many reasons why the Institute for Education … Continued
