The best teachers are those that keep ahead of the game. Rather than rely on the way things have always been, they look to develop their practices and stay on top of trends in education. If you want your teaching to really have an impact this new school year, here are the trends you need to know.
Nanolearning
Nanolearning is about delivering condensed pieces of information in short and sharp sessions. It has come into its own during the pandemic, with everything from Tik Tok to Twitter, voice notes to ‘video pills’ being used to reach people where they are. Think about the key points that your students need to know, and provide them with the resources they need to go off and research the topic further for added depth. Numerous studies have shown that when content is shorter, engagement increases, especially on social media, and the education system is learning from this. Good nano learning hooks people in and encourages them to find out more.
Experiential learning
Great teachers know that they sometimes need to get away from textbooks and worksheets, and immerse their students in a concept or idea. Experiential learning is about learning by doing. By engaging students in practical and hands-on experiences, they can connect the ideas from the classroom to real-world situations. This is not only great when it comes to preparing them for the future and the workplace, but helps cement theories in their mind, so that they retain them better.
Project based learning
More and more schools are embracing project based learning. This sees students explore a question, concept or challenge and embark on an independent project to find out more and develop a response. It allows for both independent thought and teamwork, and often involves working across subjects to develop skills. Rather than being about memory or recall, it focuses on the application of knowledge and skills, so can be particularly great for students who struggle with exams.
Cross collaboration
During the pandemic many schools pooled resources, such as allowing a teacher from one school to teach others, or sharing worksheets and videos. There’s no reason this has to stop. In fact cross collaboration is a vital tool in developing education practices for the future. It doesn’t even have to be purely within the education sphere. You might collaborate with a local charity to devise projects for students to work on, or find a business that can provide a real world problem to solve through experiential and project based learning. It’s also about being smart with what you have. If you know a teacher in another department has a resource, why reinvent the wheel? Talk to them and share what you’ve got, for more effective teaching.
Blended learning
Blended learning brings together online and offline practices in a hybrid delivery and education method that is likely to stay, as it provides flexibility and accessibility. Students have the opportunity to both hear from the teacher, but are also afforded the time and space for self directed learning. Through dynamic and engaging content and practical and experiential ways of working, students are able to work at a pace and in a way that suits them. With every student having a slightly different learning style.
So are you ready to start the new school year with impact? You are now. If you want to hear more about how Impact Teachers change the lives of students with great teachers like you, get in touch.
If you are looking for a teaching job and would like to discuss your options, book a call with Ashley now:
