Resetting service learning programs
In the context of continuing uncertainty, Megan Flottorp asks service learning guru, Cathryn Berger Kaye how schools can develop their programmes for ‘21-‘22.
Read More›
Global Community
The most important future skill
Two keynotes. Two stories. One message about the future, and it might not be what you were expecting. Reflections on the COBIS 2021 conference from Andy Homden.
The importance of external space and environmental design in schools.
Architect Ian Bogle reflects on how a school’s interior must connect with its external environment for great learning to take place.
“There is more in you than you think”
Phil Mathe looks at the profound international legacy of one of the twentieth century’s greatest educational thinkers. You may not have heard of him but his influence suffuses international education.
Teacher training in rural Nepal
For Fionna Heiton, the key to a good education in rural Nepal is they same as everywhere else – get the Early Years right. A new teacher training initiative is making this possible.
Leading in a Climate of Change: COBIS Annual Conference, May 10 – 13, 2021
Colin Bell, CEO of the Council of British International Schools extends an open invitation to members and non-members to attend this year’s Conference.
Adopting an Environmental Social Governance code at school
Lisa Walsh thinks that the adoption of Environmental Social Governance codes by an increasing number of companies could – and should – be an example for school Boards.
‘It is what it is, and we are where we are’.
Imagining a ‘new normal’ is backward looking, argues Ger Graus. For Ger, it’s time to build on what we have learned in 2020, move on to create genuine opportunity for all children, globally.
Supporting local staff in international schools
According to Henry Wong, helping local staff understand the micro-culture in which they work is as essential as orientating new international staff when they arrive.
Helping Uganda Schools
Set up to provide a great education in self-supporting schools, HUGS is a model for the development of low-cost, sustainable learning, as Dr. Richard Bircher reports.
New FOBISIA inter-school event takes off during lockdown
Andy Homden looks at a competition for international schools that simply would not have happened without lockdown, and seems destined to grow quickly.
Get them outside!
Covid has brought home the value of getting outside. Nicholas Chaddock looks at why reevaluating the importance of outdoor education is so important for all of us in 2021.
The Association of International School Teaching Assistants and PD for TAs
The way a school approaches training says a lot about its culture, according to Peter Hogan, who looks at new CPD opportunities for TAs with AISTA.
Achieving deep awareness
For Felicity Gunn, enhanced intercultural mindedness, when practiced by the whole community, can take any school or business to new heights.
Picking up the baton
It’s been a long time since Ken Robinson’s famous TED talk in 2006. Andy Homden asks whether the baton of the learning revolution has been picked up by a new champion who is already putting ideas into practice on a large scale.
The impact of Covid-19 on school design
The prolonged closures of schools in 2020 has been shocking. How should new schools be designed to prevent a future calamity on this scale? Andy Homden considers the phoenix of school design that could rise from the ashes of Covid-19.
Singing in a global choir
Young people in schools around the world are fighting back against Covid-19 with music. Laurie Lewin invites your school to join in.
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Gwen Byrom thinks we need to see school-home communication from a parent’s perspective to avoid problems arising from our own misconceptions.
Community based teacher training in rural Nepal
Fionna Heiton looks at how a new approach to teacher training is beginning to make a difference to the lives of children in a remote district near Pokhara.
Learning does not live in a vacuum
In the latest of a series of articles about the Common ground Collaborative Kevin Bartlett explains how the Common Ground Collaborative focuses on learning that matters.
Pandemic and response: the emerging picture
International education has been reeling under the pressure of Covid-19, but schools have shown great resilience. What is in fact going on? Will Bedford has the very latest data from ISC Research.
Converting a school’s student population from fluid to solid
Esther Clark looks at online opportunities available for international schools to offer greater breadth and stronger continuity of education for their students.
Unconscious bias in international schools
In the light of questions being asked about racism in 2020, Gwen Byrom thinks we all need to take a hard look at the cultural climate in which international learning is taking place.
Closing the online learning gap
Derek Devine thinks that distance learning can be personalised without adding to the pressure that teachers are already under – quite the reverse in fact.
Transforming Early Years education in the Himalayas
When they were living in Nepal with their twin toddlers, it was difficult for teacher Fionna Heiton and her partner Durga Aran to ignore the challenges faced by local schools. Fionna takes up the story.
Schools and animal welfare
Nicky Cook looks at a new service project involving animal welfare and invites international schools around the world to get involved.
Dipping into online learning as an adult
Having had a long and very happy association with distance learning, Professor Helen Bilton of the University of Reading suggests it opens up new worlds for adults as well as for children.
The Asian Century is well underway
Dr Stephen M. Whitehead looks at how the default position that ‘West is best’ is being questioned in Asia more than ever. What this might mean for international education?
Practising what we teach
Design Technology teacher Joan Brown looks at how schools in Wales became involved in the design and manufacture of PPE, and found themselves at the heart of a global movement.
Parents and students in lockdown
Janice Ireland talks with Henk van Hout, Global Head of Shell Education Services, about how students and parents are coping with lockdown and the demands of remote learning.
Reading the world for children
Orla Redmond has set herself the lockdown task of compiling a reading list of favourite children’s books set in different countries around the world. She needs your help!
The impact of coronavirus as China’s international schools prepare to reopen
Stephanie Quayle of ISC Research looks at how schools may be coming through the lockdown phase in China, and what we can all learn from their experience.
Remote learning during COVID-19
It’s been a learning curve for all of us, and we now need to learn from each other. Here we speak to three schools, two in China and one in Kuwait to find out how they have adapted to the lockdown.
International School Awards 2020
The International School Awards 2020 gala presentation evening, attended by over 200 educators and other senior figures from the world of international education took place in London on Monday 20th January. Anne Keeling reports.
Climate education
Pete Milne looks at how the climate crisis has accelerated in 2019, and how education is playing an increasingly critical role in creating solutions.
The question of censorship in international school libraries
It is inevitable that at some point in a librarian’s career the suitability of their stock choice will be questioned. Sally Flint knows that in an international school library this is not an infrequent problem. What to do?
International School Awards, 2020
There were over 250 nominations for the International School Awards 2020: Anne Keeling previews the gala presentation evening in London for ITM.
Changemakers at sea
Jasmine Spavieri looks at the inspirational work of Save the Med, and invites teachers and students from all over the world to join them for a week on board the 100 year old ketch, Toftevaag on one of their 2020 missions.
Look For Circles Day, World Kindness Day and Loy Krathong
Festivals and Fun Days to celebrate with your children in November. Jan Homden has put together a list of ideas for three special days to celebrate this month.
Tourism with a difference
In November 2018 Hannah Rae was invited to take part in a Social Entrepreneurship Study Trip to Manila because of her interest in TVET, ( Technical and Vocational Education and Training). She accepted and joined the 20 strong group of strangers, comprising of social activists, youth workers, teachers, teenage social entrepreneurs and education professionals. Read about her experience.
Taking the plunge in Hong Kong
Do you remember your first time? Dipping your toe tentatively in the water. The feeling of trepidation, of exhilaration, the palpable sense of fear because you did not know how to swim? Chris Jay tells the story of how Splash is helping a wide range of adults to take to the water.
Data, trends and expertise at this year’s ISC Research conference.
The ISC Research conference in July 2019 attracted over 120 schools, universities, education suppliers and professional organisations to Oxford, UK to learn about the latest trends and developments within the world’s international schools market. The event was a sell-out, with delegates benefiting from breaking market news and data, expert advice, case study experiences and plenty of time to network and ask questions,as Anne Keeling reports.
Introducing holistic education to a new generation of international students
As Ziwei Luo herself is the first to explain, there is nothing new about ‘educating the whole child’. What is new, however, is the growing appeal of this approach for Chinese families. Here she suggests that with the right support, students from families unused to a holistic approach are able to develop skills that allow them to thrive beyond the classroom.
The link
Tertiary level Virtual Classrooms are really taking off, but can Virtual Classes connecting teachers and learners in different parts of the world have an impact on secondary learning? A recent project linking a team in New York with teachers and their classes in Andhra Pradesh established some principles for good practice.
Learning support and community based child care in rural Africa
Education in developing countries is often regarded as a privilege rather than a right, and children with support needs are all too often an excluded group. A number of national organisations in Malawi, working with a team from the University of Birmingham have found this need not be the case, as Dr. Anita Soni reports.
Wherever you are in the world – we’d love to hear from you.
Spirit of a city
Dr. Huda Halawachy, who teaches at the University of Mosul, remained in her home town while it endured the three year occupation by ISIS. In conversation with Andy Homden she recalls the days after liberation in 2017, reflects on the lessons of war and celebrates a community’s enduring spirit.
The importance of mother tongue language in education
A consequence of the ever-increasing popularity of international schools is the growth in the number of children learning in a language other than their first. This can open opportunities for the individual but, as Carolyn Savage explains, continuing to develop the mother tongue is vital to enhance learning.
Kyle Kopsick considers that we need to think hard about our global values and examine what we teach and how we teach it using the challenging perspective of postcolonialism. What? Read on!
International schools are ideally placed to develop and encourage greater global consciousness. Dr. Chris Muller explores how best to exploit this opportunity.