Jester Report post Posted January 18, 2005 Hi all Now I've been thinking for some time that I should try to write something amusing for the edification and so forth of my fellow Krismites. Whilst inspiration has not struck, I have nontheless been saved by an INSET session with our Ed Psych. (We don't have Staff Meetings - the unions say they can only last until 4pm...we have INSET training EVERY Tuesday, training can go on forever. It often does) Nice girl ....only about 17 - but earnest for all that. Well, as we did our stuff on 'differentiation' and looked at "Harglebargle's Hierarchy of Learning" and "IggyPop's Index of Understanding" we got to the 'Any Questions' bit. The Conversation went as follows: Jester: I notice on page "M" of booklet number 2 (No, I'm not exaggerating) that you say 'Current Psychological reasearch suggests that the best way to learn new skills is in short, repeated sessions - for example 10 minutes, three times a day'. Ed Psych: (Brightly) Yes Jester: Where does that leave us as regards the maths and literacy hours? Ed Psych: (Less Brightly) Ah, Yes, I see where you're coming from... Head: (Not Bl**dy Brightly at all) Any OTHER questions? So there you have it chums... All children learn best if the skill is broken down and taught repeatedly in short bursts (Quelle Surprise) but the hour long worship of maths and literacy every day is an untouchable piece of educational kant. Where that leaves the REAL differentiation needed by our kids, I know not. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted January 19, 2005 The literacy hour nearly turned my daughter off Harry Potter for life. She had never met the books before and aged about 10 the class dissected an extract from it during this infamous hour. She thought it was boring and refused to touch HP with a bargepole. A couple of years later she ventured to try them on her own terms when she received the first one as a Christmas present - and was hooked thereafter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericho Report post Posted January 19, 2005 I bet you were popular with the Head, Jester! :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sylvm Report post Posted January 19, 2005 Nice one Jester! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted January 19, 2005 Yes, funny one this... On just about every training course I've ever attended for anything, the trainer has always started with the declaration that generally people can only fully concentrate on one task for around 10-20 minutes. They then launch into several hours of talking 'at' you, and even hi-jack the coffee breaks you do get for more of the same. And DON'T they get annoyed if you fall asleep! Wacko, Jester! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katkin Report post Posted January 20, 2005 Worse,I've just been on accelerated learning in the classroom course and the wretched woman had us jumping up and down every 10 mins, followed by a quick dance routine to sclub7. I think it was to ensure we didnt fall asleep!! Funny though i have not heard the strains of sclub7 coming out of the classrooms! And she got paid for coming, we didnt even get lunch!! love Kat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lisajb Report post Posted January 20, 2005 Jesty Jesty he's our man! If he can't (insert appropriate skill) no one can! Lisa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anastassia Florinevna Report post Posted January 29, 2005 That's brilliant, Jester! :lol: We should spread the word about why staff training is confidential and protest! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites