We are in the second fifth of the 21st century yet many places are still educating as if we are in the 19th and 20th centuries. Why do the youth of today experience the same stress and ‘rat race’ we as parents once went through knowing that their future is extremely different with many moreContinue reading “Enough is Enough”
Author Archives: marasimmons
Time for a Change in Grading Practices
Thank you Youki Terada for your recent article in Edutopia sharing the history and why we need to move beyond the 100% grading scale in our teaching practices, especially those in the US. Grading and evaluation varies in different countries and not everywhere do teachers have the autonomy to adopt their own marking system. InContinue reading “Time for a Change in Grading Practices”
Self Directed Learning and Taking Risks
The balance between having a school day, after school period and holiday time being fully planned for learners and our own children can at times interfere with their own development in building agency, creativity and taking risks. I came across this article that described the importance of kids having time of their own to getContinue reading “Self Directed Learning and Taking Risks”
Making headspace through the fog…
It is a bit like a rainbow when you achieve headspace. It feels especially nowadays that folks are stuck in their own worlds doing daily tasks and hardly looking up, reaching out or considering alternatives…. Recently in my work with team of teachers from a school that embraces innovative practices and a willingness to tryContinue reading “Making headspace through the fog…”
Should a school visit feel similar to visiting a ‘5 star resort’ without the massages, cleaning and restaurant service?
On a recent brick and mortar school visit where I served as a cover teacher I had this realization about our expectations from a 5 star resort experience and wondered why they would not be the same in a school setting? More specifically how often does one enter a school and is greeted by aContinue reading “Should a school visit feel similar to visiting a ‘5 star resort’ without the massages, cleaning and restaurant service?”
A Great Valentine from My Kiddo
Today she texts me: Got to love it when a 12 year old in the wrong grade level is worrying about her progression in the future… (She has been bouncing between the UK and US system, now back in a UK aligned program hence the grade levels are off. In the US she would beContinue reading “A Great Valentine from My Kiddo”
Self Directed Learning-Why? How?
More and more we are expecting young people to direct their own learning similar to how they navigate their own social stream or gaming consumption. Sometimes they are assigned a study period during their school day other times teachers set a task for students to do with limited direction or maybe students are at homeContinue reading “Self Directed Learning-Why? How?”
To AI or Not to AI, that is the question….
There has been a lot of buzz in education post New Years with some large school districts ousting the use of AI in their schools. Both professionally and personally we have been having a play with the ChatGPT from Open AI. My first impression is WOW, this pushes me as a teacher and as aContinue reading “To AI or Not to AI, that is the question….”
Navigating Choosing Online Schooling
Online schooling in 2023 should look different to what it did in the height of the pandemic in 2020. It is difficult to separate one’s experience from the past to what it could be for the future but for online schooling to be considered a viable option for your family this is essential. In fullContinue reading “Navigating Choosing Online Schooling”
Re-Establishing Classroom Norms: January Favorite
Love the new year and especially the fact that in a school academic year one gets two new years: the beginning of the academic year and following a break after 1st of January. On both occasions schools and teachers have the opportunity to review expectations and re-establish classroom norms. Recently a friend who joined theContinue reading “Re-Establishing Classroom Norms: January Favorite”
Teaching Hacks 4 All 