Recent articles
Games-Based Learning or Gamification? What Are They?
There's some confusion between games-based learning and gamification because, quite frankly in modern parlance, they mean pretty much the same thing. Pedagogically wise there is subtle difference between the two phrases. Games-Based Learning (GBL) is learning through games. It does not necessitate the use of computer games. GBL is primarily about the game where learning is a [...]
Tips to Teach Times Tables
Learning the times tables is a vital skill and one that will shortly be tested by the Multiplication Tables Check. Before I get into trouble - learning here includes understanding not just reciting. Below are some tips on teaching the times tables: 1. Make Sure they know how to add up first! It may sound [...]
BETT 2019 – Review & Tips
BETT is one of the two largest ICT education shows in the world (along with ISTE). It is held in London every year in January and is preceded by the World Education Forum where over a hundred Ministers of Education from countries across the world get together. Getting there... BETT is held at the Excel [...]
An Introduction to Gifted and Talented
Schools in the UK are obliged to meet the needs of all their pupils but what if you believe that your child is unusually intelligent? In England the Department of Education defines Gifted learners as those who have high abilities in one or more academic subject such as maths or English and Talented learners are [...]
City Simulator – Games-Based Learning Resource
We are pleased to announce that we are part of a European wide consortium to help educate students, between 14 and 17 years, about climate change, sustainability, renewable energies, and energy storage systems (emphasising hydrogen technologies). We will be developing a city simulation for students to interact with to assess the impact of different forms [...]
Competitive Learning – Is it good for all?
Competition may be one of the most contentious and misunderstood topics in education. Should our students compete? What about collaboration? Doesn't competition create winners and losers?. Collaboration or Competition One of the most common misconception regarding educational competitions is the "Competition vs. Collaboration" paradigm. Competition is NOT the antonym to collaboration. In fact, some of [...]
Critical Pedagogy – What is it?
Critical pedagogy is becoming more and more discussed by teachers. But what is it? According to the academia, critical pedagogy is a “philosophy of education that has developed and applied concepts from critical theory” (Kincheloe, 1997), “It views teaching as an inherently political act, reject the neutrality of knowledge, and insist that issues of social […]
Introducing Fractions
Fractions are not only a key part of the National Curriculum, but it is a fundamental part of being numerate. As always simple concepts can be the most difficult for children to grasp. Physical examples Pupils can understand real-life physical examples much better than abstract ones. So don’t only use the pizza/cake idea but use […]
