BESA CORNER
This month in our ongoing feature highlighting the work of members of the UK education suppliers’ trade body BESA, we hear from EDUCAKE and MORLEYS.
Creating good learning habits
in September For teachers, September is a critical time to set our expectations high and ensure that our students form learning habits which can be maintained throughout the year. Here are some ideas:
Start revising from the beginning
As soon as content has been taught, we can help our students
to really learn it through frequent retrieval. This could be through in- class quizzes, retrieval homework or a fully interleaved curriculum. I plan homework with Educake, an online formative assessment platform, well in advance. Before I have a chance to forget, I map out what I want students to revise across each term. This is a powerful complement to a more responsive approach to teaching. I can be flexible and respond to the need for learning new content, while also embedding previously learned content on a planned schedule over the year. Engage with parents and carers in term one Whether it’s a quick email or a phone call to introduce myself, I find that contact with home is always appreciated by families and students alike. It’s a chance to establish positive and open channels of communication, and it helps students to understand that the adults in their lives talk to each other!
Encourage revision of the difficult areas from the start This may sound obvious to adults, but students tend to revise within their comfort zones. As an English teacher, I have noticed that my students will often revise and over-learn quotations and literary terms, but they are more reluctant to practise analytical paragraphs. This continues right through to the exam season, by which point it can be too late. Starting early with an expectation that students will practise the trickier elements of a course will pay off in the long run. Promote an understanding of time
I try to do this for both short-term and long-term bases. When we say to students, “Spend 15 minutes reading this,” we take it for granted that they know what 15 minutes feels like. Generating an appreciation of exactly what a short burst of revision feels like can take away the overwhelming feeling that there is just “too much” to revise. Short sessions of re-reading and revising, perhaps modelled in class, is a great habit to be formed in September.
For exam courses and year groups, it can also be helpful to lay out the long-term curriculum plan for them, so they can see exactly what will happen and when. I also encourage my students to reflect on how quickly (or perhaps how slowly!) each term or year has passed so that they can appreciate how the examination season will soon be upon them.
Author Bio: Sarah Barker is an English teacher of 20 years. She grew up in Bristol, where she still lives and works. She is interested in supporting all students to become fully literate adults, and in widening the worlds of our young people through literature. Know your students’ knowledge gaps without waiting until exams
Educake offers hassle-free homework to both primary and secondary schools. With its specification-matched online quizzing, teachers are able to easily assess individual student understanding, spot knowledge gaps and compare student understanding against national averages. Educake has thousands of ready-to-go, subject-specific questions, designed to motivate independent learning and make homework more meaningful.
We believe great education happens when teachers have the space to think. Our platform reduces marking significantly, while still offering invaluable insights into student understanding. Armed with this data, teachers are able to spend more time honing their teaching approaches to improve learning outcomes.
You can book a free demo with Educake to get your September off to a good start.
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www.education-today.co.uk
The vital role of libraries in schools: building blocks for lifelong learning
Libraries are at the heart of a school, serving as central and vibrant hubs of knowledge, inspiration, and collaboration. They play an essential role in shaping the academic, emotional, and social development of students. Digitalisation has transformed the landscape of learning, but the importance of libraries in schools remains paramount, as they continue to be an invaluable resource centre that fosters a culture of community, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
Library spaces should be engaging and inclusive, inviting students in and creating a welcoming environment. Enabling students to interact and engage with their surroundings encourages them to enjoy reading for pleasure, helping to develop their language, literacy and vocabulary skills. Having access to a broad range of books, reference materials, media and digital resources captures the varied interests and learning needs of students helping to develop essential communication skills. From access to information on classic literature to research into innovative AI technology, libraries should offer a space where students feel relaxed and inspired to discover more about the world around them and develop their knowledge beyond the classroom.
As ambassadors for inclusivity and accessibility, libraries offer an extended learning environment to provide equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background or academic ability. Creating a comfortable space with a range of different seating options allows students to access educational materials and engage in self-directed learning. Cosy nooks and storytime mats are ideal for foundation stages to explore and engage with books as they begin their literacy journey, whereas collaborative breakout furniture or soft seating configurations allow primary students to interact with a range of media and their peers as they advance their personal growth and discover their individual interests. Technology hubs and quiet study spaces provide secondary students with a space to focus and carry out research, offering a place of retreat beneficial to well-being and an opportunity to discuss ideas in preparation for coursework or exams.
Consideration to the height of shelving units will ensure book storage is accessible and age appropriate, with kinderboxes and book spinners offering interest for younger students. Welcome counters are a great way to draw attention and direct students to a designated enquiry point to assist them with further information.
The design and layout of a library space is influential not only in nurturing academic growth, but in promoting social and emotional well- being. Libraries can offer a sanctuary for students, as well as opportunities for social interaction and community engagement. Libraries offer a space to encourage a whole-school approach through participation in book clubs, storytelling sessions, or study groups; this develops interpersonal skills, empathy, and a sense of belonging, which are critical to preparing students for adult life.
Integrating technology into the library environment to create learning resource centres bridges the digital divide and promotes digital literacy skills. Libraries provide students with access to computers, internet connectivity, and educational software, empowering them to develop essential knowledge about online safety and equipping them with the digital skills required to be successful in the workplace. Libraries are vital spaces within schools. They are a key learning environment for students and serve as essential hubs to nurture learning and growth. Investing in a school library space demonstrates a commitment to improving the opportunities available to students and supporting them to become independent learners as they move into the next chapter of their personal development.
Morleys are design-led furniture suppliers and interior consultants who are at the forefront of innovative solutions for schools, shaping the future of library design. We want every student to experience the joy of reading in a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment.
Read our case study featuring Barrington CofE Primary School to find out more about how we transformed their library:
https://morleysdesign.co.uk/project/barrington-primary-school/
June 2024
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