Last Chance Kids
The channel 4 TV programme presents the case to improve literacy through an intensive programme in schools, yet head teachers are not all are comfortable with the process or outcome. It is supported by an article in the Sunday Times “Read my lips , I can fix our schools”
Critically the article mentions that once the code is broken a whole new world opens and learning becomes vastly easier. Observe any child that has cracked the code; generating a text message in seconds, playing a computer game at speed, operating a PC and the controls of the infamous video or DVD. The key process combines instruction and practice.
A respondent mentions the effect of SEE, HEAR and DO. Whereas See and Hear can achieve 50% retention the National Training Laboratory who completed the analysis revealed the Do practice function achieves 75% retention of learning. As children spend just 15% of their wakening time at school there is a massive opportunity for parents to help in the practice opportunity at home. With modern teaching resources in the form of educational games engaging parents in fun activity at home is real possibility.
There are 7.4 m households with school aged children, and if a percentage becomes active with some guidance, wonders can happen. The easy response would be to say parents are not teachers, but as parents outnumber teachers by 16:1 (assuming 1 active parent per household) maybe some of the support that Ruth Miskin needs is facing the wrong way. Let teachers instruct (see and hear) and parents help practice at home ( do)
Alistair Owens
Keen2learn
