AS/A2 revision and collaboration

I had a really successful double with my year 13 Computing class on Thursday and wanted to share the plan with you. It is a small class of 7, and we have finished covering the course content so are now revising. 

To start, I had a list of topics on the board and asked the students to pick one (different) each. They then had an hour to create a Wordle of key words from their topic and prepare a 1 minute talk. They presented to the class with their Wordles displayed as inspiration for their talk. I also timed them and told them when their minute was up. 

The topic and Wordle really helped them to focus down to what they needed to cover. Also, getting them to present with the usual PowerPoint behind them meant that actually had to discuss their subject and not read off a set of slides.

What are your go-to revision activities?

How to write learning objectives

Some teachers I know struggle with writing learning objectives. Having mentored numerous trainees in the past, it is surprising how many of them just don't get it and end up writing lists of tasks instead.

I remember being taught about learning objectives in my training and it made sense to me and it's never been something I have struggled with.

Somewhere along the line, I fell across Bloom's Rose:

In the centre of the "rose" there are the 6 different levels from Bloom's taxonomy. Then moving outwards, there are various key trigger words that you can use to construct your objectives at each level. Finally on the outer part, there are possible activities you can set your students in order to help meet the objective you have written.

If you have ever struggled with objectives, then I recommend the next time you are stuck, use Bloom's rose. It's a great tool for your toolkit.

Happy new year!

Demonstrating progress

I've just came across a great blog post via @CodeBoom on Twitter.

5 great ideas for demonstrating progress in your lessons by @mrocallaghan_edu.

http://mrocallaghanedu.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/taking-the-temperature-of-learning-in-lessons-a-few-tried-and-tested-strategies/

Internet and networks vocabulary worksheet

Happy half term everyone!

I can see on Twitter most teachers are working throughout this half term, as am I. I am writing a year 9 Computing unit on Communication and the Internet, so I thought I'd take a break to share a resource with you that I have just created. If this was printed it would still be warm!

It's a matching activity for some Internet and network key terms.

It could be used for ICT as well as Computing. You could either use it as a worksheet or cut it out for the kinaesthetic learners. Might be a nice little starter, plenary or homework activity.

Here is the resource.

Objective Led Learning

I was a joint leader in an 'objective led learning' working group a little while ago. We were tasked with researching and trying different techniques then creating a handout for the rest of the staff.

Everybody came up with some great ideas and we produced a really helpful handout.

I suggest you try post-it note objectives with controlled assessment or coursework based lessons. This is personal favourite of mine that I picked up during my training year. Or getting the students to RAG the objectives at the start and then again at the end of the lesson to use as an assessment tool to show progression is a handy technique.

Which are your favourites?

You can download the handout here.

The 5 minute lesson plan

At our staff meeting today we were introduced to the "5 minute lesson plan" from the teachers toolkit. Now this is something I can get on board with!

It looks quite straightforward to fill in, though I am having a bit of difficulty in getting to grips with "stickability".

Another bonus is that it is apparently Ofsted friendly!

I shall definitely be giving this a go. In fact, I've already planned a lesson tomorrow using it.

Download it here.