If you’re a parent, you probably have an opinion when it comes to your child’s homework. Do you feel that they have too much work to do or has the amount of work children bring home decreased over the course of time? How much homework is too much, and is there ever a way of answering this question that satisfies every parent and educator?
Ever get the feeling that the grass is greener at another school? It’s a thought that will have gone through the mind of almost every teacher. However, not everyone acts on this impulse.
But if you are serious about leaving your current position in search of something better, it helps to have a clear idea of what you want, especially in terms of culture and career prospects.
So, you want to become a teacher? This enjoyable and rewarding profession is one that could set you up for life, with plenty of progression and promotion along the way.
But what is required of you in terms of education, experience, and qualifications? Thankfully, there are more ways to become a teacher than ever before…
Teaching in the 21st century has been heavily dominated by technology. From digital eLearning tools to student created media, the classroom experience is benefitting from the latest and greatest trends in a number of ways.
But does artificial intelligence (AI) pose a threat to teachers? It’s already having an increasing influence in daily life with smartphone personal assistants and self-driving cars. So, whose to say it won’t be commonplace in schools and colleges in the years to come?
According to the National Autistic Society (NAS), around 700,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. This means that along with their families, nearly three million people are affected by autism in daily life.
But while some young people with autism need a highly-specialised education, others can follow a more mainstream path and attend school alongside every other pupil.
It goes without saying that preparation is key to being a great teacher. With lesson plans and homework schedules in place, you can rest easy that students will benefit from an enjoyable and effective learning experience throughout the year.
But is it also your responsibility to prepare pupils for the next stage of school life? Their main priority will probably be the summer holidays and escaping the classroom for half a dozen glorious weeks.
From learning style and language aptitude to age, intelligence, and maturity, nearly every single classroom will be made up of students with different abilities and approaches. It is up to the teacher to recognise these distinctive characteristics and come up with lesson plans that speak to everyone.
But as you’re no doubt already aware, this is easier said than done. It’s hard enough to maintain attention and interest across the classroom, let alone tailor your teaching according to how each pupil prefers to learn.
Confucius had a point when he said, “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
Although its not always feasible to implement these wise words in the classroom, hands-on activity can be extremely beneficial in a child’s development. It can provide context to certain concepts, which might otherwise be difficult for students to comprehend.
The vast majority of children returning to school after the holidays will have thoroughly enjoyed their time away from the classroom. But when the joys of taking a break become a distant memory, re-motivating students can be a real struggle, regardless of age or ability.
So, how exactly can you boost attention levels and encourage excitement in the classroom once again? Well, according to a neurologist and former teacher, the answer lies in brain science.
There aren’t many children that like doing homework, but it remains an integral part and effective way of learning. Students also stand to gain invaluable time management skills, especially when homework involves multiple deadlines and subjects.
Homework is extremely beneficial for teachers too. After all, it provides a unique insight into how students are performing, their understanding of a topic, and attitudes towards education.
But how can you guarantee that all of these advantages come to fruition? Here are some tips on setting homework for children.