Archive for October 14th, 2009
Tool Barred! Tool bard.
We often work with schools using the hidden and magical parts of the “Control Toolbox” toolbar in PowerPoint.
To me, a white screen and little black writing and reading it all out is PowerPointless! But, there are some remarkable elements to the hidden “developers” section that have proven to get teachers and students fired up and creating.
We wondered what a screen would look like with ALL of the toolbars in use.
As you can see, there isn’t a lot of white space to be creative in!
Thinking Dice
Back to the Thinking Dice used over the last two days…
These incredibly simple, but thought provoking, cubes make a powerful tool for use in any classroom, and at many ages.
Thinking Dice is a brand new, fun product which enables pupils to develop higher order thinking and questioning skills.
Teaching children thinking Skills can make a world of difference; research shows that thinking skills are essential for effective learning. Continue Reading
Pembrokeshire Professional Education Centre – Focus Groups
A great two days, again in Pembrokeshire, as part of their Writing project. Firstly, working with a group of lads (“Here come the boys!” being the cry) and, today, with staff from schools across the authority, both secondary and primary.
One of the fascinating side effects of these two days, has been the encounter with Tom Cox and his Thinking Dice. (More later…).
We are grateful to literacy advisor, Eva John, for recording her thoughts on our time in the region:
Fun, excitement and overwhelming curiosity are all elements that feature in Tim’s lessons and training sessions. Adults are drawn in and motivated in just the same way that children are.
The psychology of stimulating reluctant speakers, listeners and writers (both adults and children) underlies the approach which builds up their confidence and self esteem, positively altering their perception of themselves and their abilities. Continue Reading
As well as our events, we like to share interesting, and more often than not, FREE tools, resources and ideas, some old, some new, and we hope you might find something useful. We'd love your thoughts. Tim & Sarah
