The value of durability
Long-term thinking will become increasingly important when procuring educational equipment if schools are to meet carbon targets, argues Frank Campbell.
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The Future
The significant growth of international school groups
School groups have been a feature of international education for some time. Now they are growing in size and in number. Ashley Kirk of ISC Research looks at the phenomenon.
Moving to net-zero as a school
Kit Connell looks at how schools are coming to understand their carbon footprint and how they can reduce it in a revolutionary, but realistic move to ‘net-zero.’
The Council of British International Schools London conference 2022
The annual COBIS conference took place in London as a hybrid event in May. At a time of such change, it was important to get people together again, as Andy Homden reports.
Hearing student voices for the climate crisis
Pete Milne is a man on a mission – to help young people understand the climate crisis and show schools how they can take action quickly and effectively.
The next level of live online teaching?
Approaches to live online teaching are becoming more sophisticated and ambitious. In September 2022 live broadcasts commence from a school in London to partner schools in Europe and East Asia. David Boddy reports.
SEND provision in an international context
The announcement of a prestigious UK award to Bangkok-based vocational centre, Steps, prompts Andy Homden to reflect on changes in international SEND provision over the last 40 years.
Recent research highlights important developments in the recruitment of international teachers
A new report highlights key shifts in international school teacher recruitment and professional development. Anne Keeling has more.
Combining online with on-campus learning and teaching
As full lockdown came to an end in Bangladesh, some families still preferred to keep their children at home. One school wanted to make sure that no students were going to miss out, as the Principal, Dr. Shivandanda CS reports.
Game changer for education?
How can Internet of Things (IoT) be used in schools? Uma Shankar Singh looks at the substantial benefits and some of the issues that must be thought through.
7 Education trends to look out for in 2022
How is education changing in 2021 – 22? Sally Alexander looks at seven trends that are already emerging and will have an impact in the coming few years.
Building empathy through immersive digital storytelling
Serdar Ferit and Harriet Marshall look at the power of digital storytelling to build empathy and widen student horizons.
Environmental challenge for students aged 10 – 15
Charlotte Bouchier has news of a new competition for schools enabling students to explore key environmental issues in the lead up to COP26.
Video projects and assessment
Using student-created video projects to assess learning is going mainstream, according to Eddie Bradley. Time to hop on board.
Gaming and learning
Never heard of GBL? Bryan Gibson looks at the growing evidence that gaming and Game-Based Learning is set to play an increasingly important role in education.
When architect John Diffenderfer asked Anna Harrison what would be the ‘sticky’ changes in education after Covid, five clear answers emerged from a wide-ranging series of interviews.
Taking back control after Covid
Despairing talk of ‘catching-up’ after Covid is self-defeating, argues Al Kingsley. Better to target necessary interventions using new assessment techniques and move on postively.
Emerging best practice in international schools, 2021
The latest report from ISC Research looking at developments in international education focuses on new approaches to teaching and learning emerging in international schools. Anne Keeling reports
Student-directed learning spaces
Learnlife’s Ulrike Suwwan makes a strong case for incorporating ‘Hublings’ – flexible spaces for self-directed learning – into the design of any school.
International schools with affordable fees are in demand
According to Sam Fraser there is significant growth in the enrolment of international schools with affordable tuition fees: ISC Research intelligence suggest this sector will continue to expand.
How stable are your systems? How safe is your data?
Glaucia Rosas and James Wilkinson of the EduTec Alliance see a ‘perfect storm’ on the horizon for educational technology in schools. Here they explain why and what schools can do to prepare.
The purpose of education in the 2020s
For Kirsty Knowles, there are two crucial purposes in education. 1. Bringing sustainability to the centre of the curriculum and 2. Supporting them in taking action as a result.
Embedding data-led decisions in the strategic planning cycle: COBIS21 link article
While schools understand that data should inform strategic planning, they often get their timing wrong or rely on unreliable anecdotal evidence. Ashley Kirk and Doris Suchet of ISC Research have advice.
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.
Why continuous assessment will redefine global education
Alex Mirza has no doubt that digital assessment platforms, properly aligned to formative principles, are set to change the world of education.
Interdisciplinary projects using 3D printing
Uma Shankar Singh looks at the huge potential for using a 3-D printer to stimulate interdisciplinary project work.
Learning for an interconnected world: COBIS21 conference link article
Andreas Schleicher takes an in-depth look at the measurement of ‘Global Competence’ in PISA 2018. As he argues at the COBIS21 conference, the associated concepts and skills should be at the core of any modern curriculum.
How the pandemic is affecting practice in international schools
Sam Fraser, leader of the ISC Research field team reflects on how the pandemic has changed international education in ways of which we should all be aware.
. . . when choosing an international school
Anne Keeling looks at a recent White Paper published by ISC Research which provides insight into what parents are looking for in an international school this year.
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.
Covid-19 and school leadership in disruptive times
Richard Gaskell invites us to pause, take stock and listen to each other as we prepare to take on the next section of the Covid white-water ride.
‘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.
Creating deeper learning experiences
Farida Danmeri looks at the link between constructionism and ‘making’, analysing how one enhances the other for effective learning.
The lessons of the corona crisis in Denmark
Kevin Goggins, Head of Skt Josef’s International School, Denmark considers how the Danish experience of the pandemic may point the way to more lasting educational change.
Pilot online accreditation visits
Gary Minnitt, Director of Accreditation at COBIS looks at the advantages emerging from a series of online pilot school visits. Not easy, but so far, so good.
. . . and why it matters
Kyra Kellawan and Andreu Gual i Falco ask schools to challenge attitudes that both undermine student aspiration and lead to an unbalanced workforce.
Making difficult decisions in difficult times
A survey for the February 2021 COBIS Bursars, Business Managers and HR Staff Conference, throws light on how schools are steering a course through the troubled waters of the pandemic. Paul Cabrelli and Andy Homden report.
SCHOOL DESIGN FOR THE POST-COVID WORLD
As the Covid-19 crisis continues, Andy Homden looks at implications for new school design.
How Covid-19 is changing the recruitment landscape for 2021
Diane Jacoutot, one of the most experienced recruiters on the international scene. analyses the contradictory impact of Covid-19 on recruitment, and predicts a teacher shortage in 2021 – 22.
The long view for international education in Egypt
Despite all the problems associated with Covid-19, Mansoor Ahmed reminds us that many longer term data point to further growth in international education. Egypt is a case in point.
Phys Ed teachers respond to Covid-19 as a global community
PE and sport in schools has been profoundly affected by the pandemic. Phil Mathe hates the constraints, but describes how PE teachers around the world have come together like never before to find solutions for their students.
. . . I want to be an ethical hacker.
We must prepare children for the future world of work, where young people could become ‘urban shepherds’ or ‘robot monitors’, or . . . . ? says Ger Graus.
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.
What lies beneath?
Matthew Savage, creator of the #monalisaeffect® approach to personalised learning and wellbeing considers what other masks children will be wearing in 2020.
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.
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.
How the CGC Cracked the Learning Code
Having considered ‘Why’ the Common Ground Collaborative (CGC) set out to create a new paradigm for teaching and learning, Kevin Bartlett and his colleagues ask ‘What is Learning?’
New reports highlight inclusion and edtech practice in international schools
At a time of such profound and rapid change, it is vital to keep up with emerging trends in order to plan effectively. Diane Glass of ISC Research looks at two important studies that are hot off the press.