Views & Opinion When SCHOOL life begins Comment by Alicia Blanco-Bayo, Early Years Teacher at Kirkham Grammar School Over the years as society has evolved, we
believe ourselves better prepared to understand what our children need. Today’s society has given parents the tools to make judgments about school readiness, and so we are starting to believe that our children will begin proper learning when they start school. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether that is what learning is all about, and how parents can play a part in the learning process that is life. As government funding became available and
young children gained access to Early Years settings that provided enriching learning opportunities, the concept of learning began to be interpreted as something that needed to take place in an educational establishment of some sort. Although there was some truth in this, the sense of concern if a child was not attending the fifteen hours of funded education at the age of 3, or had started school full time at the age of 4 rapidly spread among today’s parents.
Somehow, we became part of this “we must
always be busy” circle that society led us to believe it is important we are part of, and so we allow our busy lives to get in the way of being active players in the game our children need to play, namely the basic game of “living” and, through experiences, finding ways to flourish. At this point, parents will wonder what they can offer their children so they will be exposed to those many opportunities to acquire skills that will be useful as they grow up. So they choose an establishment which can offer them all these things and more. That’s that job done, so now let them grow up and develop so they can be high achievers and become part of the circle we know they will have to be part of. Interestingly, although exposure to a well enhanced learning environment can be beneficial to children, this does not mean that all skills are better learned in a deliberately designed setting. There will be basic skills that will be better presented to a child in a
familiar scenario and by a familiar face, which is where the role of a parent cannot be carried out by anyone but the parent. Taking into consideration the fact that young
children have a series of complex needs as individuals who are adapting to a new world, we need to find the middle ground. Accordingly, when choosing a school, it is essential to realise that the responsibility of guiding our children so they can develop the necessary skills to survive must be a shared responsibility. How about we begin to see the school as the
place where the initial foundations already offered by parents can be built upon and further developed? How about we hold our children’s hands and commence the learning process as a family, so the school journey becomes an exciting adventure? How about we remember to come away from “the busy circle” so we don’t forget to play the game our children need us to play?
How Can Teachers Fully Immerse
Themselves in the Digital World of Today? Comment by John Marsh, Avonics Ltd
Not even 15 years ago, the ‘back to school’
shop would consist of pens, pencils and dozens of notebooks. Jump forward to today and in a child’s school bag you will often find iPads and laptops nestled beside their pencil case. There is no doubt that technology has
become a huge part of the whole classroom experience and how could it not, with children as young as six now having a thorough working knowledge of modern technology. Research conducted by Ofcom has discovered that 70% of children aged 5 - 15 have regular access to a tablet computer. So with this in mind, it makes sense that teachers have begun to introduce digital technology into their classroom to assist with their students’ learning experience. If you’re thinking of introducing digital technology into your new teaching plans, read on to discover its benefits and how to integrate it seamlessly. As today’s children are so technologically-
savvy, traditional methods of learning, such as listening to a teacher and copying down facts,
can actually hinder their learning if what they are studying is not stimulating them. By incorporating some new digital methods
of teaching, such as Immersive Spaces or Interactive Whiteboards into your classroom, you will find that your children become excited about using them, and are therefore more enthusiastic about learning. As well as getting them more involved in their
own learning, incorporating these new practices can actually help to boost certain skills which may have been neglected otherwise, such as learning to use new technology, working together as a team, critical thinking and presentation skills.
Harnessing technology effectively Digital technology is a fantastic tool for
bringing shy students out of their shells. Using poll apps on tablets, the teacher can ask questions and get students to give answers via the app. The teacher receives the answer privately, which allows those who may not
normally put their hand up to give their opinion without fear of embarrassment. Interactive whiteboards are a great way to
get students involved in the learning process, as the visual aspect keeps them engaged and their attention focused. Not only do interactive whiteboards allow the teacher to bring the lesson to life, it also gives students the opportunity to showcase their own work to the class. This will help to build their confidence and presentation and public speaking skills, whilst also encouraging them to work well with others. Technology is gaining popularity in all other
aspects of life, so it is only natural that education should embrace digital methods of learning in the classroom. Rather than fighting this trend and trying to stick to the more traditional ways of teaching, schools will come under increasing pressure to ditch their old chalk blackboards in favour of the latest technology.
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www.education-today.co.uk
May 2015
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