So last week as back to the norm after an amazing week in Poland. I am shattered...but it was all worth it! No rest for the wicked though with both triad feedback and 'Open Classroom' in the department!
First day back and I went to visit a colleague's classroom who was showcasing how to use iPad apps. Socrative and Nearpod were the apps I observed and I thought they were both really interactive and useful. Most students had a device to use so they could join in, some had to share, but this wasn't a problem. The data captured by these apps for a teacher is brilliant - you can see exactly who answered what! Excellent AfL! I will be putting these 2 apps into my lessons after Easter; this gives me time over the holidays to get my head round them both properly. I have a feeling my classes are going to love using their mobiles/devices in the lesson! I like the fact that these apps are also PC/laptop based so it can be used in an ICT room too! Isn't technology marvelous!
Socrative Nearpod
I chose to showcase independent learning with my KS5 chemistry class. I knew I was taking a complete risk in attempting getting them to construct Hess's cycles on their own, but to me, this is what opening my classroom was all about: try something new and see how it goes! If it's a complete disaster, I will learn from it; if it goes ok/great, I will look to improve it! Reflective teaching in practice! The gamble paid off! I grouped my students in mixed mathematical ability and arranged clues around the classroom, should they need them. The clues were basically the steps to constructing a Hess's cycle and calculating the enthalpy change. They all gave it a really good go and in the end, all got to the correct answer in completely different ways! I was amazed by this progress - the students were pretty happy with themselves too. I will be moving forward with this by giving them some past paper questions in the next lesson to check their understanding!
Last week was also the triad feedback sessions, again, conducted within our own departments. I saw some really great ideas whilst observing a colleague and also received some pointers on how to improve my own practice. I really see the benefit of observing other people....I just wish we were given more time to do such activities. I am hoping to go and visit colleagues who are maximising electronic devices in their classrooms to see how it's done. Also on the agenda (after some exciting conversations in Poland) is eTwinning with other schools during Science Club (follow them on Twitter: @LSA_Sci_Club).
Watch this space.....
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