Review by Robin Conway

Director of research and innovation, John Mason School

25 Apr 2020, 5:00

Blog

Robin Conway’s top edu blogs of the week, 20 April 2020

Awarding grades, Oak National Academy, recruitment and an educational revolution in the offing are this week’s top picks of the education topics

 

Generating “centre assessment grades”: the challenges

@Framheadteacher

The responsibility to provide “centre assessment grades” for each student is one no teacher can be unaware of. I have come across a number of good pieces on this, but Andy Byers’ blog stands out for its balance, thoroughness and clear sense of moral purpose. The first third analyses trends in recent results for his school. This is well worth reading as it pins down issues we are all thinking about. It also provides an effective analytical model and builds to conclusions we should all consider.

Byers then considers thresholds, over-prediction, under-prediction and his initial plans to approach this momentous task. As he notes, the system will be far from perfect, but it “is the least-worst option” and if everyone approaches it with the same care and thought modelled here, it will help a lot.

 

What’s wrong with Oak National Academy

@dmthomas90

The Oak National Academy launched on April 20 and I am greatly heartened by the spirit of generosity and proactive response to the lockdown that is behind it. Here principal David Thomas gives a little context to the pressure under which the team worked to launch the resource hub within six working days.

He recognises the key development points the team will be working on in future, but also gives a good insight into their aims and sense of mission. Thomas notes that “Oak won’t change the world. It’s not supposed to revolutionise teaching. We just want to make life a little bit easier during one of the most difficult periods in our lifetimes.” He may be erring on the side of humility. This piece is a wonderful introduction to an incredible and inspiring initiative.

 

Recruiting better: lessons from lockdown

@adamboxer1

Adam Boxer notes the pressing need for schools to continue recruiting. With two places to fill and interviews about to start before schools were shut, his team developed a well thought-out process to replace the lesson observation: a carefully planned interview that unpicked the thinking behind a detailed plan. He shares the long list of discussion questions generated – with other useful advice – and concludes that this model has some strengths over the standard model “even in non-pandemic times… because of the insight it gives you, as well as the technical advantages”. Whether recruiting during lockdown or when schools reopen, this blog is worth your time.

 

The next edu-revolution: textbooks!

@teacherhead

The demands of remote learning have led a lot of teachers to look at resources with new eyes. Many have not proven easy to adapt to supporting absent students, with solutions offered from all quarters. (Like many others I have mastered technological innovations in the past few weeks that I would previously have run from, screaming.) However, Tom Sherrington reminds us of an old standby that should perhaps never have fallen out of use: the textbook.

He strongly argues that we should reconsider investing in them and his key features of a good textbook will make a handy guide to selecting any new resources. He explores the reasons for the decline in the use of textbooks and how we might reverse the trend.

I am not entirely sure that he gives online textbooks quite the credit they deserve, but I cannot disagree with his conclusion that we should “train teachers to use textbooks well, to link a curriculum plan to good texts and give the books the funding prioritisation they deserve”.

 

Latest education roles from

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Lecturer Electrical Installation

Solihull College and University Centre

More Reviews

The Conversation

This week's top podcasts cover misconceptions about inclusive practice, a curriculum with purpose, and the magic of design and...

Find out more

Jamie’s Dyslexia Revolution

Jamie Oliver’s documentary is a masterclass in cooking up public interest and a recipe for humility in the education...

Find out more

The Conversation

How to use AI effectively, where to avoid it, why it's risky, and when to protect the all-important human...

Find out more

More from this theme

Outstanding, by Steve Baker

This light and lively lampooning of the education world is populated by a host of familiar characters - and...

Find out more

The Conversation – with Sarah Gallagher

The risks of AI, the importance of conversation, pedagogical fission, and embracing our replaceability

Find out more

The Conversation – with Frances Akinde

SEND in New York, smartphone solutions, sexual misconduct, living with ADHD, and walking away from leadership, and fresh ideas...

Find out more

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *