The mathematics department at Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College invited Jill Brown from LSDA NI to explore together the implications of introducing Essential Skills as an option for year 11 and year 12 pupils. This interactive session also investigated contextualising learning and explored how to engage pupils more actively in their own learning. Teachers’ comments on the day included:
“A very well prepared and presented working course”
“Excellent resources for active learning and brilliant ideas for use in the classroom”
Throughout the day , teachers participated enthusiastically and reflected on how these approaches promote learning. They considered how to modify activities and develop other activities to meet the needs of individual pupils. When asked to comment on what the most important or useful aspect of the day was, some teachers wrote:
“How to develop materials and strategies for our pupils and teachers”
“Some very useful activities to use with both able and less able pupils for whole class periods or just parts of lessons”
If you would like further information on Essential Skills, or on developing more challenging teaching strategies that engage learners actively in their own learning, please contact Jill Brown on 028 9044 7720 or via email jbrown@lsda.org.uk
Posted 14 Jun 2010
