English & Maths Fest! 2015: Workshop Choices
English & Maths Fest! 2015: Workshop choices
For each of the three workshop sessions below, please indicate your 1st and 2nd preferences in the right-hand column. We will endeavour to meet everyone’s first choices, subject to maximum numbers in each workshop.
Below this, please also indicate if you have any dietary and /or access requirements.
Please return this form to Julie Chamberlain, as soon as possible.
Workshop session 1 (11:30 to 12:30)
- Developing mathematical resilience
Whenever you are required to teach maths to learners, there will be some in the group who have had very unhelpful prior experiences; some will be terrified, some avoidant, and some just pessimistic. We suggest these learners will make significantly more progress if their acquired emotional barriers to maths are addressed explicitly at the beginning of the course. We have repeated experience of unlocking progress for learners by focusing on what it takes to develop mathematical resilience. This is about being motivated by a growth mindset and inclusion and becoming more adventurous, whilst having the support of a learning community when things get tough, and personal agency to stay safe when overwhelmed.
- Level 3 Core Maths - lessons from an early adopter
Core Maths Level 3 is a new qualification; Stoke College are early adopters of Core Maths. Martin Newton has headed this new initiative at Stoke, worked with Buxton and Leek College and been supported by the Core Maths Support Programme. Martin will share experiences and resources including an ‘Apprentice’ project written by learners, finance, tax, modelling and Fermi estimation. Core Maths is very much about real world maths and is suitable for learners who want to carry on with maths but not at A Level. You will get chance to try and take away some of the resources.
- Technologies that engage and enhance learning
Technology-enhanced learning can be a powerful tool for engagement. This workshop, run by Sara Hattersley, E-learning Manager at the Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Warwick, explores a range of approaches and freely-available tools which are easy to use in the classroom and for distance study/homework, many of which learners can access on their own devices. The workshop will not just explore the potential of technology to engage and sustain learners, but the place of these tools in curriculum design, assessment and collaborative learning. There will be opportunities to try out a number of tools in the workshop – bring your own device!
- “The Importance of Knowing Ernest" - building your GCSE scheme of work on your learners' individual needs.
This workshop will look at the traditional use of initial and diagnostic assessment but also finding out about what learners bring including their study programme, career aspirations, interests and values. This, together with their views of what they need to know, matched to our knowledge of the skills they will develop on the GCSE course, will then inform the skeleton scheme of work.
Workshop session 2 (13:30 to 14:30)
- New GCSE maths qualifications - structure, content and implications
Revised GCSE content and assessment is being introduced from September for first examination in summer 2017. This workshop will provide an overview of the changes, and allow participants to discuss the implications. There will also be opportunities to look at sample questions and try out approaches that exemplify the increased emphasis on reasoning and problem solving.
- GeogebraMasterclass
Geogebra is an interactive geometry, algebra and statistics app which can be used at all levels – from primary to university level – and is available free to access or download from the Internet on PCs, laptops and tablets. Ben Washbrook has been using it for several years in his maths teaching at Birmingham Metropolitan College, and will be sharing his ideas in a practical session on how to make the most of this powerful tool in GCSE teaching and beyond.
- Critical Language Awareness (CLA)
Leaners are not always able to recognise that texts have ‘deeper’ meanings: to control, to influence etc. This session, run by, has been designed to support teachers in raising their learners’ awareness of the use of language through CLA. With practice, learners can become empowered by analysing texts and reading critically. This technique is also appropriate for those teaching GCSE. You will receive a ‘worked’ copy of a text which should give practical ideas to adapt for use with your own learners.
- E1-L2 English Teaching – identifying gaps in knowledge and skills – signposts to support.
This workshop will focus on why reading and spelling skills are important and will signpost tutors to support materials that will deepen their understanding and confidence in teaching these skills.
Workshop session 3 (14:40 to 15:40)
- Making algebra accessible
What’s the point in algebra? Most learners simply don’t get algebra, and frequently disengage from a subject which is core to GCSE maths.This workshop will explore ways that algebra can be introduced to learners to increase their understanding of what it’s about, the basic concepts involved, and how algebra is used in vocational areas and beyond.
- Promoting maths & English across the organisation
With English and maths taking centre stage in FE, and all sectors, it is crucial that English and maths are promoted across your organisation. Martin Newton, NatachaShakil, Nora Breen and Mark Walsh share their experiences of the recent Real Maths Fest that they hosted at Stoke College, including an on line maths lesson and other initiatives to stimulate English and maths . In this session you will investigate and share, with colleagues, ways of promoting English and maths and should go away with ideas and a blueprint of what to do when you get back to the ranch!
- The three things that make the biggest difference:making English evenmore interesting.
Examiners tell us the three ingredients to include that make the biggest difference to the recipe for student writing. This workshopwill explore these and include ways to make grammar interesting. Not just for GCSE!
Dietary or access needs (Please indicate as appropriate)
Other additional needs or relevant information – please give details here