Teachers of a certain vintage will remember with fondness the Observer’s Book series. These ‘slim volumes’ were pocket-sized field guides, the epitome of a growing mid-century awareness of what was all around us.
What possible meaning could these books have for Generation Alpha – the younger children in our school right now?
Perhaps everything.
IB teacher of Classics Giuliana Savini looks at an approach to teaching the subject which does not avoid ‘difficult’ topics for 21st Century students.
Wherever your school is with the issue of equity, this well-informed, down-to-earth conversation between Nunana Nyomi and Clare Ives, two of the most experienced educators responsible for establishing a culture of equity in a school, is a must-listen.
According to IBDP Geography teacher, Paul Thompson, developing empathy as a key meta-skill enhances understanding and is the 21st Century key to ‘building’ character.
Drew Thomas who teaches IB History at NLCS on Jeju Island questions the narrowness of popular history courses offered by most international schools.
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.
Alexis Anderson and Himani Sood from the I & S department at Oberoi International School-JVLR Campus describe how they have been using social media to support historical inquiries.
In a very packed literacy and numeracy focused school day, the ‘other stuff’ can get almost forgotten in the gallop to the exams post. Other subjects such as history may be joined with geography or have an afternoon slot of 40 minutes every other week. Professor of Outdoor Learning, Helen Bilton and Dr Richard Harris from Reading University acknowledge the difficulties, but think it is all the more reason to help children develop a love of the subject by getting them out of the classroom.
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!
Andy Homden suggests that unless students acquire the habit of academic independence, they will neither fulfill their potential nor be ready for the expectations of higher education and the world of employment. But – they have to be shown how.