Homework takes on a new form.
Homework can be a bit boring! Using text and exercise books is not necessarily the most inspiring process and tends to exclude effective parental support. Yet the lack of their involvement in the work at home process is a huge missed opportunity !
A recent survey of teachers showed an overwhelming desire to involve parents in a more constructive role in the schooling process. Definitely to be avoided is the parental manipulation of homework that can overstate a child’s ability, and induce chagrin as their mark is lowered as part of the teacher detection process. Resulting from the launch of a new web site there is a very practical role that parents can now play with their child.
Technology in education has moved on since the days of chalk and blackboards, 64mm lantern slides, Banda prints - are you old enough to remember the smell of the spirit used ! Technological developments has resulted in dramatic changes in the equipment now used by teachers. Interactive whiteboards which act as a huge computer screen seen by the whole class use CD’s, DVD’s, board games and teaching aids developed by educationalists to meet the demands of the modern teaching environment. They are designed to inform and stimulate children through a range of audio, visual and practical exercises.
One of the key areas of learning is the amount you retain. Studies conducted by the National Learning Laboratories reveal that when listening to a lesson only 5% of the subject is retained. The retention level is improved by using a combination of additional inputs, such audio visual, discussion group etc. But the most significant area of learning retention with a massive 75% occurs with practice-doing. Ironically this is often the most difficult to achieve by the teacher. Class duration, numbers in the class, availability of the resource all conspire to reduce the practice element, yet this is the one area that parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts can easily get involved at home!
Practice at home reinforces the classroom lesson. Allowing a child to run over a lesson using similar teaching aids in school, at their own time and pace produces confidence and competence and huge benefits back in the class. Anyone using the aids will find them to be self explanatory or supplied with teaching notes. Maths games for example come with worked examples, and a time challenge that builds speed. One of the best lessons is on line with a “teacher” talking the pupil through the lesson with animated diagrams. Many parents have enjoyed the lessons so much that it has rekindled their own enthusiasm to continue to learn, and maybe understand algebra for the first time!
If a child doesn’t understand you just rewind and recap. Repetition is a key element of practise and the encouraging atmosphere at home in relaxed environment is ideal to encourage, and watch the speed build up. There is nothing more rewarding in seeing a child develop a new skill, be it riding a bike or mastering science. You get to enjoy a far more productive role in your child’s schooling, get closer to what they are being taught through the National Curriculum and take a dynamic view of progress in place of the annual parents night, when perhaps it’s too late.
www.keen2learn.co.uk was established to allow parents access to the same wealth of teaching aids used in school. Matched to the subject and key stage the product selection is very easy - especially if the teacher has also provided the Keen2learn pupil support form ( which can be downloaded from the site ). The site also provides a bedrock of information for Parents on the National Curriculum, key stages and subject areas.
Over 1000 products from key 25 suppliers can be found on the site which is laid out to give rapid access to the product. The style content and potential of the site allowed it to gain recognition by winning a national competition run by Intel just 8 months the launch in 2006.
