Catholic Education magazine
Catholic Education magazine, March 2010
March 01, 2010 – There has been much discussion in education circles and by policymakers on time spent on tasks in schools, but there has been little focus on the actual lesson duration. How long is the perfect lesson?
Most high school teachers still expect lessons to be timetabled in handy 35- or 40-minute chunks. Independent school teachers are still likely to be planning lessons at those lengths – although things are changing – but in the government sector, timetabling varies from school to school. Some swear by 50 minutes, others prefer an hour and a few even two.
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Catholic Education Magazine November 2009
November 01, 2009 – Teaching and learning in the classroom is just as complex. It’s not just about knowing the content and how best to get it across. A good teacher needs to know exactly how each student will receive the information. He or she also needs to know who will need more support and who will race ahead. The teacher also needs to know what values he or she wants to reinforce and what skills are being built on. A good teacher is aware of her inherited patterns of teaching, personality and preferred styles; and a good teacher is also aware of how the school ethos interacts with the culture of wider society.
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Catholic Education Magazine July 2009
July 01, 2009 – The new minister of Basic Education has already spoken about simplifying the curriculum. Meanwhile, across the oceans in England the primary curriculum is destined to be revamped. Sir Jim Rose, a former chief inspector of schools, had the task of reviewing the curriculum – the main aim was instilling “a love of learning”. For the past 20 years teachers in England had to follow an over-prescriptive curriculum which spelt out exactly what to learn when.
The new philosophy is concerned that learners enjoy their lessons. Lessons will be structured around themes as opposed to narrow disciplines. Teachers will have the opportunity to apply their professional knowledge in the classroom again.
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