Thursday 27 August 2009
Thursday 20 August 2009
What constitutes success?
As we move into the fortnight of results for A levels and GCSE's we will once again face the press' desire to find fault with exam quality, public opinion of how things were so much harder when they were at school, parents watching like hawks the school A*-C figures and the mad massaging of figures to make sure every school can squeeze the highest % possible from that cohort before forgetting about them and moving onto the next one.
In all of this we forget about the students...its them who go through the hell of the envelope opening. They know what mean success and failure for them but they lose sight of this because they are focused completely onto what it means to all these other people (parents, teachers, public, press etc...)...do we actually ever take their feelings into consideration.
Success to one maybe that they achieved an E grade or 2 D's, to another that they finished with a line of below C grades...another that they finished school. Yet the focus is always the high fliers.
'They worked so hard for their A*'
'The effort they put in for their 11 A*'s-A's was remarkable'
Yeah so was the effort the child written off by an education system that only focuses on what students can do within a narrow set of tests who achieved his / her 5 D's and E's.
As with creativity, success is individual and should be treated as such. All are successful in someway - lets never forget this.
In all of this we forget about the students...its them who go through the hell of the envelope opening. They know what mean success and failure for them but they lose sight of this because they are focused completely onto what it means to all these other people (parents, teachers, public, press etc...)...do we actually ever take their feelings into consideration.
Success to one maybe that they achieved an E grade or 2 D's, to another that they finished with a line of below C grades...another that they finished school. Yet the focus is always the high fliers.
'They worked so hard for their A*'
'The effort they put in for their 11 A*'s-A's was remarkable'
Yeah so was the effort the child written off by an education system that only focuses on what students can do within a narrow set of tests who achieved his / her 5 D's and E's.
As with creativity, success is individual and should be treated as such. All are successful in someway - lets never forget this.
Wednesday 19 August 2009
A new place to go...
I have just returned from a week split between Paris and Berlin. Great to be away and relax...though lots of walking involved! I have to say I have fallen in love with Berlin...Paris was nice but I would go back to Berlin again and again if Im honest.
The mixture of historical and modern is balanced and the people so friendly.
Berlin you win...sorry Paris!
Monday 10 August 2009
Over Niagara in a barrel
How far will you go to make a point?
How far will you allow your ideas to take you?
How many times will you allow someone to tell you it cant be done before you stop trying to do it?
For many years the idea of 'going over niagara in a barrel' was one of those stunts that seemed impossible. Yet 15 people have attempted it (recorded attempts) and of these 8 have survived.
Why do these people do it? Because other people said it couldnt be done.
Dont give up when someone says it cant be done...head straight towards your 'niagara', hold tight and prove them wrong!!
Wednesday 5 August 2009
The Truth is out there!
Have a set of cards linked into the topic being studied spread out on the table in front of you. Split class into groups and then ask a series of questions.
When they get an answer right they come out and pick a card then return to their group.
When all the cards are distributed they have to then decide what cards are useful to them for investigating the key question of the lesson and what are 'red herrings'.
At the end of the lesson a good plenary is to get them to explain how and why they came to the decision they did in terms of choosing and refusing the cards.
Tuesday 4 August 2009
Sunday 2 August 2009
Favourite Film?
Over my life time there have been many advancements in movie technology. Special effects make the impossible possible and some of the stories we never thought could be made into films have now been transferred to the big screen.
Since moving pictures began every decade has produced those films which will last forever as classics.
Nosferatu, Gone with the Wind, Its a Wonderful Life, Citizen Kane, 2001, The Shawshank Redemption, The Lord of the Rings trilogy... the list is endless. To choose one film that stands alone as the only film you could take to a desert island with you is difficult!
For some maybe...
I know, dont even have to think twice...
Its...
GHOSTBUSTERS!!! Seriously...honest...
Your go!
Your go!
Saturday 1 August 2009
Watching the horizon
How do you move from having ideas to being in a position to share them with others?
When you mention names of famous people that are great speakers or inspirational members of society people can immediately tell you why they are famous or will have heard of them.
How do you become one of these people?
By not WANTING to be one of them! Each person who has acheived 'greatness' of some kind did it by being themselves - not by trying to be someone else.
When the great explorers travelled across the seas looking for the new land they would have a man in the crows nest with his eyes on the horizon looking for land...looking for their opportunity.
Keep your eyes on the horizon. Opportunities are out there dont be caught looking at someone else wishing you were them and miss your chance...
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