Autism, Blogs, education, inclusion, special education, special needs, Teaching

How can teachers and teaching assistants motivate pupils to learn?

Developing pupil motivation using 10 evidence based strategies. Teaching Assistants (TAs) play a vital role in supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the classroom. One of the most important aspects of their work is to help these pupils develop a strong motivation to learn. This is crucial because pupils with SEN may face… Continue reading How can teachers and teaching assistants motivate pupils to learn?

teaching resources
Blogs, education, special education, Teaching

Are your resources holding you back?

This blog is, and I will say it now - a bit of a ramble, a shambolic collection of half baked ideas. It was triggered by a recent change in my life that has left me carting car loads of stuff to the tip. Moving boxes to one room to tidy another then back &… Continue reading Are your resources holding you back?

top SEN blog posts
#SpEdSC, education, special education, Teaching

Tips For Staying Positive From #SpEdSC

First of all I need to apologise for neglecting #SpEdSC this term. I will refocus soon I promise. In the meantime here are a collection of great ideas from last months slow chat. If you don't follow this group of international edutweeters I strongly recommend doing so. If you work in Special Education (or Education… Continue reading Tips For Staying Positive From #SpEdSC

game of thrones quotes for teachers
Blogs, education, leadership, Teaching, twitter

10 Game Of Thrones Quotes For Teachers

There are some excellent lessons us educators can take  from George RR Martin's epic tale of the fight for the throne of Westeros. Friendship, struggle against adversary, loyalty to name just a few. Here are a selection of quotes that you may find apply to you or your students. "Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no… Continue reading 10 Game Of Thrones Quotes For Teachers

Special education blog featured images
education, Teaching

Teaching the Teacher: What my Students have taught me.

Teaching The Teacher Teaching and learning is the root of education. The two words go very well together. However, we often employ the phrase to suggest that we as teachers are doing the teaching and that it is only the students who are doing the learning. I dread to suggest it but I can imagine… Continue reading Teaching the Teacher: What my Students have taught me.

SEN and Inclusion teaching
#SpEdSC, app, education, ICT, inclusion

iPads in the Sensory Room

There are many ways to make a learning space more engaging, one of the quickest and most versatile is... the teacher. Running a close second is by using technology. In terms of interactivity specialist sensory room equipment cannot be beaten, it is hard wearing and well designed. However it is quite expensive. An effective sensory room is… Continue reading iPads in the Sensory Room

SEN and Inclusion teaching
education, leadership, Teaching

Teachers: The Real Motivational Speakers.

Inspiration is all around you. To be inspirational is a resource some people harness to make a living out of. There are schools full of people at this very moment who are giving inspirational speeches, to classes, to individuals. There are those who are changing the ways people think about aspects of their beliefs. Who are… Continue reading Teachers: The Real Motivational Speakers.

Respect leadership quote education
education, leadership

Creating a Positive School Ethos

Education can be is a very stressful industry to work in. However for the many teachers who would not consider working anywhere else there are ways to make the job much less stressful. In my opinion the ethos and atmosphere of your school, nursery, college can have a huge impact on staff wellbeing, retention and… Continue reading Creating a Positive School Ethos

special education quote
app, computing, ICT

Using Typorama (ipad app) to Create Images & Posters.

Now I love a good quote and image. I have been using the typorama app for a while. Teachers need Great visuals to engage students used to flashy advertising and constant media bombardment. I'm not sure if a study has been done on the effectiveness of images as inspiration or their effect on lezrning. But… Continue reading Using Typorama (ipad app) to Create Images & Posters.