Comments on: Lowest attaining 20% http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/ "We learn from our experience.....if we reflect upon our experience" John Dewey Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:25:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Hilery Williams http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6261 Hilery Williams Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:58:52 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6261 Thanks David. I'll look forward to exploring. Thanks David. I’ll look forward to exploring.

]]> By: David Gilmour http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6260 David Gilmour Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:55:28 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6260 Hilery, Today I set up the <a href="http://edubuzz.org/blogs/supportforall" rel="nofollow">Support for All blog</a>. So far you, Elizabeth Cowan and Katy MacDougall are set up with access. I'll be emailing with details. Hilery,
Today I set up the Support for All blog. So far you, Elizabeth Cowan and Katy MacDougall are set up with access. I’ll be emailing with details.

]]> By: Hilery http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6249 Hilery Mon, 22 Jan 2007 13:53:14 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6249 Once the ASN blog is up and running (how will we know?) I should be delighted to put up my own presentations and thoughts on Learning to Learn, and anything I know about learning differences and styles. I believe enabling children and young people to learn HOW to learn is the most important thing professionals can do. To (mis)quote Hoffer: 'In times of change, learners will inherit the earth while the learned are beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists'. I will certainly be very happy to contribute to a community of interest once the ASN blog is online - though I would hate it if this stuff were regarded as solely for those with additional support needs. ALL kids benefit from demontrating their knowledge and understanding in different ways. We need to challenge our 'able' (whatever that means) pupils to the point of failure (but make it safe to fail). Sometimes expecting them to provide a piece of work in a different format (e.g. a visual representation or a role play rather than a piece of continuous prose) is just the right challenge they need to stimulate deep thinking and reflection. Obvious but true nonetheless. For despairing parents (mine's in the middle of Higher prelims too. Oh the angst): The LT Scotland website (http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/studyskills/index.asp) has some very illustrative pointers on study skills generally, divided into 3 sections: 5-9, 10-14 , 15 +. There you will find useful tips on memory, organisation, exam techniques, etc. with some interaction to motivate kids. For teachers, I recommend anything by Alistair Smith (and others) at Network Educational Press on learning to learn - very user friendly summaries of research and suggestions of practical strategies on how to implement new understanding of how the brain works into the classroom. Oh there's masses of information. Get in touch! Hilery Once the ASN blog is up and running (how will we know?) I should be delighted to put up my own presentations and thoughts on Learning to Learn, and anything I know about learning differences and styles. I believe enabling children and young people to learn HOW to learn is the most important thing professionals can do. To (mis)quote Hoffer: ‘In times of change, learners will inherit the earth while the learned are beautifully equipped for a world that no longer exists’.

I will certainly be very happy to contribute to a community of interest once the ASN blog is online - though I would hate it if this stuff were regarded as solely for those with additional support needs. ALL kids benefit from demontrating their knowledge and understanding in different ways. We need to challenge our ‘able’ (whatever that means) pupils to the point of failure (but make it safe to fail). Sometimes expecting them to provide a piece of work in a different format (e.g. a visual representation or a role play rather than a piece of continuous prose) is just the right challenge they need to stimulate deep thinking and reflection. Obvious but true nonetheless.

For despairing parents (mine’s in the middle of Higher prelims too. Oh the angst):
The LT Scotland website  http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/studyskills…) has some very illustrative pointers on study skills generally, divided into 3 sections: 5-9, 10-14 , 15 +. There you will find useful tips on memory, organisation, exam techniques, etc. with some interaction to motivate kids.

For teachers, I recommend anything by Alistair Smith (and others) at Network Educational Press on learning to learn - very user friendly summaries of research and suggestions of practical strategies on how to implement new understanding of how the brain works into the classroom.

Oh there’s masses of information. Get in touch!

Hilery

]]> By: guineapigmum http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6233 guineapigmum Sun, 21 Jan 2007 22:03:30 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6233 Tony Buzan, that was the man. I'll take a look at Freemind. Tony Buzan, that was the man. I’ll take a look at Freemind.

]]> By: David Gilmour http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6231 David Gilmour Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:03:29 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6231 The originator of the term was <a href="http://www.buzanworld.com/" rel="nofollow">Tony Buzan</a>, and he has written a whole pile of books on this and other mind-related topics. Here's an attempt at a <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=sr_pg_2/203-2313870-8915114?ie=UTF8&sort=%2Bsalesrank&rh=n%3A1025612%2Cp%5F57%3Abuzan%5Cc%20tony&page=2" rel="nofollow">list</a> I use Mind Maps all the time, and think they're really useful. Maybe your son would like the idea of mind-mapping software, such as the free, open-source,<a href="http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page" rel="nofollow"> Freemind</a>, which Don <a href="http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2006/09/10/mind-mapping-software-open-source/" rel="nofollow">has mentioned</a> before? The originator of the term was Tony Buzan, and he has written a whole pile of books on this and other mind-related topics. Here’s an attempt at a list

I use Mind Maps all the time, and think they’re really useful. Maybe your son would like the idea of mind-mapping software, such as the free, open-source, Freemind, which Don has mentioned before?

]]> By: guineapigmum http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6228 guineapigmum Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:01:08 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6228 This would be so useful. My sister told me that I should find a book on mind mapping (completely forgotten the author/title) - have looked for it without success. I've just been trying to get my eldest to do some revision for prelims & am trying to get him to do some mind maps or at least flash cards to break up the information, but it is brick wall stuff. It would be great to see some of this type of thing come out of the schools directly to the parents - I need educating too - so that we can feed it back to the children. I was about to write something on my blog about it, which I still will, but I think peer tutoring would also be a big help. Parents & teachers simply don't do cool. This would be so useful. My sister told me that I should find a book on mind mapping (completely forgotten the author/title) - have looked for it without success. I’ve just been trying to get my eldest to do some revision for prelims & am trying to get him to do some mind maps or at least flash cards to break up the information, but it is brick wall stuff. It would be great to see some of this type of thing come out of the schools directly to the parents - I need educating too - so that we can feed it back to the children. I was about to write something on my blog about it, which I still will, but I think peer tutoring would also be a big help. Parents & teachers simply don’t do cool.

]]> By: Ewan McIntosh http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6227 Ewan McIntosh Sun, 21 Jan 2007 10:24:11 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6227 Well, it's really useful for many of us so if you can explain more here or, better still, on the new ASN blog that David's just about set up that would be great. Well, it’s really useful for many of us so if you can explain more here or, better still, on the new ASN blog that David’s just about set up that would be great.

]]> By: Jane Peterson http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6225 Jane Peterson Sun, 21 Jan 2007 09:24:12 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6225 Thanks Hilery, I shall certainly try that. Perhaps I'd better email you at your own Base instead of taking up space on Don's Blog. I'll send you my email address. Best wishes, Jane Peterson. Thanks Hilery, I shall certainly try that.
Perhaps I’d better email you at your own Base instead of taking up space on Don’s Blog. I’ll send you my email address.
Best wishes,
Jane Peterson.

]]> By: Hilery Williams http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6212 Hilery Williams Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:04:21 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6212 I don't know blogging protocol so I shall write a short, simplistic answer to Jane's question. Hope that's okay. Get her some mind mapping software, Jane, (Kidspiration, Inspiration - in all schools; Mind Genius - in secondaries) so that she can record her creative thoughts. The programs translate the thoughts into linear format and into Word or Powerpoint format if required so that an outline of work in more traditional ways is produced relatively simply. At least then she may have broken that awful blank-sheet-of-paper problem! No guarantees - but something to explore. Hope this helps. PS I'm happy to talk any kids or teachers within East Lothian through mind mapping - or other 'study skills'/learning styles. Contact me (Dyslexia Support Service) through Pupil Support. That's my promotion over, Don. I don’t know blogging protocol so I shall write a short, simplistic answer to Jane’s question. Hope that’s okay.

Get her some mind mapping software, Jane, (Kidspiration, Inspiration - in all schools; Mind Genius - in secondaries) so that she can record her creative thoughts. The programs translate the thoughts into linear format and into Word or Powerpoint format if required so that an outline of work in more traditional ways is produced relatively simply. At least then she may have broken that awful blank-sheet-of-paper problem!

No guarantees - but something to explore. Hope this helps.

PS I’m happy to talk any kids or teachers within East Lothian through mind mapping - or other ’study skills’/learning styles. Contact me (Dyslexia Support Service) through Pupil Support. That’s my promotion over, Don.

]]> By: Jane Peterson http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6210 Jane Peterson Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:34:53 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/01/16/lowest-attaining-20/#comment-6210 Dear Hilery, Just a note to say I find myself in complete agreement with you, dissertation or not. Perhaps if teachers get a chance to cater more for different learning styles it might help the situation, but I'm afraid for the children who can't translate their thoughts into written language the future is tough. My daughter does almost all her creative work as art and craft, what do I do with her ? Dear Hilery,
Just a note to say I find myself in complete agreement with you, dissertation or not. Perhaps if teachers get a chance to cater more for different learning styles it might help the situation, but I’m afraid for the children who can’t translate their thoughts into written language the future is tough. My daughter does almost all her creative work as art and craft, what do I do with her ?

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