Scott reflects on this week's questioning twilight session


The twilight sessions are a great way of enhancing our learning, each week that we take part there are different focuses for the session. I have found these to be an excellent source of 'bright spots' and 'quick wins' to be able to take away to my own planning and delivering of lessons in the future, and especially being able to discuss ideas that we may have picked up on in schools. Indeed, I love a good ‘Think-Pair-Share!’ and sharing this with the group and hearing that some had never seen such a method- thanks to my former Media Studies teacher, Mrs Spalding (who was Head of English when I went to school) I became fully versed in them and make use of them regularly.

This week’s topic was ‘Questioning’ as Socrates would dub is a “part of the art of teaching”. I found this session be a real eye opener, starting with the hard-hitting facts, did you know that on average, the Teacher will ask 400 questions a day? 400- Almost as many as the number of Roast Potatoes that I have consumed. Why is that relevant? Because it’s a LOT!

Our Hub Lead, Adam taught this session, it was great to see Adam discussing the fact that on average teachers may only leave one second between asking a question, and then expecting a response (and would you believe it, we actually had a session with Matt and Jamie at Nottingham Trent University about Behaviourist theories in education).

Skinner's idea of “…the lapse of only a few seconds between response and reinforcement destroys most of the effect” would agree with this- I'd disagree, a child needs time to construct an answer, more so for those who may be of lower ability, as to expect an instant response would be akin to a sensory overload. It’s responses like this that are developed from the open forum that Redhill’s Twilight Sessions have to offer, I’m really enjoying my time with the Redhill TSA’s SCITT and can’t wait to start leading my first full lessons very soon.

Scott Cartwright, English trainee

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joline reflects on moving from Germany for her teacher training

Image
Before the start of teacher training, I was worried about feeling like a stranger, and like I did not belong in an English high school. It's crazy what can happen when you're brave enough to take a leap...  I only came to England earlier this year; knowing that I wanted a change of career, knowing it should be in a school, not knowing how to get there without any experiences or even a native level of English. As a person who always preferred learning on the job over theoretical learning, I couldn't find the right way into teaching in Germany as you've got to sit 5 years at university first before you can finally use your gained knowledge as a teacher in classroom. I don't feel like I need to say that it wasn't the right thing to do.  I was incredibly happy when I got offered a place in the Redhill SCITT. Being in a school, while learning the necessary skills in additional sessions outside of school, is fantastic. And my first couple weeks at my placement school ...
Read more

'Is anybody there?': Training to teach with virtual students

Image
This time last year, I was eagerly awaiting September which would mark the beginning of my teacher training. Having worked in a school for a number of years as a Teaching Assistant, I had a clear idea of what my teacher training year would entail: developing engaging lesson plans; implementing behavioural management strategies; differentiating activities; familiarising myself with the school curriculum; and forming positive relationships with my students.  My vision for January 2021 was full of these ideas. When I pictured where I would be, I imagined myself in a lively classroom, making use of the dialogic teaching strategies which were at the centre of the educational ideology I had developed during the Education Studies modules of my undergraduate degree.  The reality of January 2021 as a trainee teacher is much different. Of course, beginning teacher training during a global pandemic was always going to pose challenges and unforeseen changes to education. In the first term...
Read more

Felicity gives her top tips when applying for a teaching job

Image
Applying for teaching jobs is hard, it is time consuming and can often leave you feeling dejected. You give up a whole weekend to complete what you think is the best application anyone has ever seen and... you don’t even get an interview. It makes you feel rubbish and zaps your motivation and confidence. I’m pretty used to rejection, having spent several years pursuing a career as an actor, it goes with the territory, but it never gets any easier. I think the key to combating knockbacks is to take the positives and move on to the next opportunity.   To give you a bit of background, I am a 39-year-old drama trainee, with over a decade of teaching experience in private schools. However, in order for me to progress in my career and follow my passion to teach in mainstream schools, I needed to gain QTS. In 2019, I made the decision to bite the bullet and begin my training. Not a decision I made lightly, but one that I do not regret. Whilst, I had practical experience in the classroom I...
Read more