Episode 249: Thinking is learning

In this episode, Fin looks at the Welsh Government’s new Literacy Progression Guidance. Does it give the “absolute clarity” that the education minister promised?Literacy progression detail guidance link:https://www.gov.wales/literacy-progression-detail-guidanceSocial media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Special guest host Dr Tom Breeze interviews Fin about her new book, The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching and Learning. Listen to the episode to see how you can win a copy of the book. ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObAutumn workshops and events:Improving Attention Workshop – North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshopSocial media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHosts: Dr Tom Breeze and Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Why is thinking so important to the learning process? Because thinking *is* learning.In this episode, Fin explains how to set up tasks in the classroom that are more likely to result in learning.Autumn workshops and events:Improving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshopSocial media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Last week, researchED Cymru returned to Cardiff with a timely event entitled “Where Do We Go Now?”. Fin spoke at the event and in this episode she reflects on the discussions that took place about the future of education in Wales.Watch Rhys Williams’ film about Wales’s PISA results here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FSIfPjXGeEAutumn workshops and events:Self-Evaluation Workshop – North Wales: Oct 15th:https://app.smore.com/n/wgrxe-self-evaluation-workshopImproving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshopSocial media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this week's episode, Fin is joined by Monmouth Comprehensive head Hugo Hutchison to discuss the controversial issue of smartphones in schools. Welsh Government consultation - Developing a mobile phone policy: draft guidance for schools:https://www.gov.wales/developing-mobile-phone-policy-draft-guidance-schoolsAutumn workshops and events:Self-Evaluation Workshop – North Wales: Oct 15th:https://app.smore.com/n/wgrxe-self-evaluation-workshopImproving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshop rEDCymru Bach: Where do we go now? Debate and discussion about the future direction of education in Wales, Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff – Oct 8th, 5pm-7pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redcymru-bach-where-do-we-go-now-tickets-2001447282700Social media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

In this week's episode, Fin tackles a huge subject - additional learning needs (ALN). Following ALN reform in Wales, schools are struggling to give pupils the provision they need. Fin looks at what schools are experiencing, what the evidence tells us, and what solutions are out there.Autumn workshops and events:Self-Evaluation Workshop – South Wales: Oct. 7th, North Wales: Oct 15th:https://app.smore.com/n/wgrxe-self-evaluation-workshopImproving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshop rEDCymru Bach: Where do we go now? Debate and discussion about the future direction of education in Wales, Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff – Oct 8th, 5pm-7pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redcymru-bach-where-do-we-go-now-tickets-2001447282700Social media:​Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123​Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/​Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.social​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/​X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected]: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

A week after the PISA test results were released, the Welsh Government launched its Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan. In this episode, Fin goes through the detail of the plan and asks whether it will have the impact it needs on standards and outcomes.Links from this episode:Self-Evaluation Workshop – South Wales: Oct. 7th, North Wales: Oct 15th:https://app.smore.com/n/wgrxe-self-evaluation-workshopImproving Attention Workshop – South Wales: Nov 12th, North Wales: Nov. 19th:https://app.smore.com/n/hk10my-improving-attention-workshop Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan:https://www.gov.wales/foundational-literacy-and-numeracy-plan rEDCymru Bach: Where do we go now? Debate and discussion about the future direction of education in Wales, Chapter Arts Centre Cardiff – Oct 8th, 5pm-7pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/redcymru-bach-where-do-we-go-now-tickets-2001447282700Social media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

The recently released PISA test results showed Wales has fallen further behind the rest of the UK. In this episode, Fin looks at the results, what they mean for education in Wales and what needs to be done next. Social media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

Keeping pupils on task is a real problem for teachers. In this episode, Fin looks at how you can ensure pupils’ attention is focused on that task at hand. Social media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur

How do you know if your pupils are getting the right level of challenge? In this episode, Fin looks at what it means to to get the right level of challenge, and what Estyn is saying about challenge in the classroom. Social media:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/impactwales123Private Facebook group for teachers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1099646660713906/Bluesky: @impactwales.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactwales/X/Twitter: https://x.com/impactwalesContact:Email: [email protected] Tel: 029 2167 9140BOOKSPRE-ORDER FIN’S NEW BOOK:The Illustrated Pocket Guide to Teaching & Learning: https://amzn.to/3P9yJObThe Illustrated Guide to Pedagogy:https://amzn.to/4lsupnbClosing the Disadvantage Gap:https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1032824107/Power Up Your Pedagogy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Up-Your-Pedagogy-Illustrated/dp/1398388068Subscribe to ImpactPlus today:www.impact.wales/impactplusPRODUCTIONHost: Finola WilsonProducer: Darren EvansVisit us at: www.impact.walesMusic: Power Shutoff by Craig MacArthur