domov • novice

Up to the challenge?

14.02.2012

V soboto, 11. februarja 2012, smo v sodelovanju z British Council Slovenia izpeljali enodnevni simpozij za osnovnošolske profesorice in profesorje angleščine. Poimenovali smo ga »Up to the Challenge?«.

Predavatelji, priznani tuji strokovnjaki, so v svojih predavanjih predstavili problematiko diferenciacije pri pouku in specifične učne težave učencev. Udeležence so popeljali  skozi vse tisto, kar morajo učitelji vedeti, da pri svojem delu prepoznajo težave, in skozi učinkovite recepte za delo v razredu, ki bodo v pomoč pri vsakdanjih izzivih. 

Fotogalerija




 

Povzetki predavanj in PowerPoint predstavitve

  • Deniz Şallı-Çopur:
    • From differences to harmony
    • Some Suggestions for Mixed Ability Classes
  • Terry Prosser:
    • Mixed Feelings
    • Stay together
  • Sally Farley
    • Inclusive Learning
    • Identifying and working with dyslexic learners
  • Jack Whitehead
    • Improving Learning with Action Research and Living
    • Doing Classroom Research with pupils to improve learning
  • Rob Lewis

    • Times of change

Deniz Şallı-Çopur,
Student Teaching Coordinator, Middle East Technical University, Turkey

LECTURE

From differences to harmony
Managing Mixed Ability Classes

PowerPoint predstavitev

Undoubtedly, the responsibility of a country is to provide educational services for each and every of its citizens regardless of their gender, race, ethnic background and/or socio-economic status. Likewise, the teachers, at the basic level, are responsible for providing equal opportunities to each and every unique child in their classes. In fact, it is easier said than done. For years, in order to have more homogeneous groups of learners, the students have been divided into different classes according to their gender, IQ level, ability, aptitude, etc.

However, in those "all-the-same" classes (or in setting arrangements), we still end up with variations in students' performance and achievement, which shows that streaming is not the magical solution to cope with mixed ability. This talk intends both to identify the learner differences and the problems arising from those differences in heterogeneous classes, and to present some techniques and classroom interaction formats that may work as solutions to handle mixed ability groups.


WORKSHOP

Some Suggestions for Mixed Ability Classes

This workshop aims to present a different view point of adapting and developing well-known or widely-used materials, and to give participants strategies to employ in order to address the students of mixed ability classes. Participants will have the chance to extend their strategies to handle the problems of the mixed ability classes.


Terry Prosser,
Teacher Trainer and Lecturer – Product Champion, Cambridge University Press, UK

LECTURE

Mixed Feelings
Maintaining interest and motivation in mixed ability classes

PowerPoint predstavitev

As soon as we have more than one student in a lesson, we have a mixed ability class. This presentation looks at some of the difficulties this causes and offers some practical solutions for maintaining interest and motivation in both skills and language focused lessons. The session also highlights an array of helpful, inclusive and enjoyable activities that increase personalisation and learner interaction. The presentation is accompanied by handouts from 'Teaching Large Multilevel Classes' from Cambridge University Press.


WORKSHOP

Stay together
Inclusive activities for multilevel classes

This presentation offers a series of helpful ideas and suggestions that deal with the difficulties of multilevel classes and also develop motivation, interest and learner interaction. In addition, the session sets out a variety of inclusive activities that provide opportunities for personalization and appeal to different learning styles and perspectives.


Sally Farley,
freelance Teacher Trainer, Counsellor and Dyslexia Specialist, UK

LECTURE

Inclusive Learning
Celebrating and working with difference

PowerPoint predstavitev

Our classes are often made up of children from diverse communities and backgrounds with a wide range of individual learning needs. Amongst them we are almost sure to encounter some with Specific Learning Difficulties, including Dyslexia, Asperger's Syndrome and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Sometimes there may be a child who is exceptionally bright or gifted in one particular area. Accommodating all of these students and helping them fulfil their potential is one of the greatest challenges facing teachers today.

This plenary will explore practical methods of implementing an anticipatory and proactive approach to creating a classroom culture that recognises and celebrates difference. Through examples and activities I will introduce ways of identifying students with Specific Learning Difficulties and successful strategies to help them learn. Together we will explore methods to promote inclusive learning and embrace difference in the English language classroom. The focus will be on primary school children, but it will become apparent that adapting our teaching style and materials to accommodate diversity can often benefit all students. Focusing on individuals' different areas of strength can lead to an enhanced learning experience for everybody. The aim is to create a class where the pupils feel part of a mutually supportive and inclusive TEAM because..... Together Everyone Achieves More!

WORKSHOP

Identifying and working with dyslexic learners

Dyslexia is a 'hidden' disability which adversely affects language processing and is thought to affect 10% of the population. If diagnosed early, teachers can help give the child strategies to overcome many of their learning difficulties. The earlier these are put in place, the greater chance the dyslexic child has of reaching their potential in education.
In this workshop we will explore the issues affecting dyslexic students, especially in relation to language learning. We will look at the tell tail signs that often indicate that a child is dyslexic and examine what processing difficulties cause these. We will then focus on the gifts that most dyslexics have, especially in holistic, right-brain thinking skills and visual/spatial intelligence. We will discover that our job as teachers is to work with these strengths in order to overcome their difficulties.
We will go on to look at some specific teaching strategies and activities that benefit dyslexic students but are also effective for the rest of the class. The focus will be on primary school children and young teenagers. Participants are encouraged to join in with the activities and all feedback and questions arising from the workshop are welcomed.

Jack Whitehead,
professor at Liverpool Hope University, UK

PLENARY

Improving Learning with Action Research and Living Educational Theories

PowerPoint predstavitev

The lecture on improving learning with action research and living educational theories will focus on the classroom research of teachers and pupils to improve learning by personalising the curriculum.
The process of improving learning with pupils will include teacher-pupil relations in which pupils and students from 6- 17 are encouraged to improve their own learning through researching how to improve it. Video-data of 6 and 10 year olds will be used to demonstrate how pupils, working with their teachers can be seen to be researching how to improve their learning. Evidence from an arts based action research project of Researching Children, Researching Their World, will also be used to emphasise the importance of creativity and cooperative practices in improving learning.


WORKSHOP

Doing Classroom Research with pupils to improve learning

The workshops will focus on developing an action plan to improve learning with individual learners and classes. Participants will be shown how to use an action planner of expressing concerns, imagining ways forward, acting and gather data, evaluating and modified concerns, plans and actions in the light of evaluations. Participants will be shown how to create and share their explanations of their own influences in the learning of their pupils in enquiries of the kind, 'How do I improve what I am doing?'


Rob Lewis,
TeachingEnglish website manager, British Council, Poland

PLENARY

Times of change
Supporting teachers in past, present and future

PowerPoint predstavitev

Can you remember what it was like 10 or 15 years ago when you were trying to find teaching materials for your lessons? If you were teaching then, maybe you had a favourite photocopiable book... You might still have that favourite book, but things have certainly changed! Teachers increasingly find out about teaching activities and ideas via Google, or Facebook - more and more often via their mobile phone.

This presentation will assess that change, and how the British Council has reacted to it, by developing materials and support for teachers of all ages online, through social media and via mobile. Websites such as LearnEnglish Kids and TeachingEnglish provide lesson plans, video tips, songs and stories to use in class, teacher development and much more – all free of charge. During the presentation you will get to see some of these materials, and also find out a little about our plans for the future: how do you think you will be searching for teaching materials in 10 years time?

Nazaj