Dr J Turner's Blog (4)

In support of increasing teacher awareness I have been developing a set of short software skills sheets that can be used for teacher learning and/or in classroom projects. They can be found at http://elearning.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/Software_Skills. This is being developed in conjunction with discussions on the WHY and HOW of effective edtech teaching and learning Continue

Working with teachers on introducing 1:1 laptops. Yr 8 English task creating a poster using Art to create graphics. We decided that we shouldn't 'replace' with DTP software as task already had strong 21stC learning (creativity, HOTs) as well as cross-curricular relationships. Where laptop can support is through reflection (meta-cognition journal) and widening audience (say photo posted for feedback). Need to be mindful that computer is not the central focus, learning is. Continue

A neuroscientist´s examination of how the brain is affected by the activity of reading. Traces developments from Socrates and issues such as dyslexia. Puts forward fear that I ¨many of our children are in danger of becoming just what Socrates warned us against – a society of decoders of information, whose false sense of knowing distracts them from a deeper development of their intellectual potential. It does not need to be so, if we teach them well, a charge that is equally applicable to our chi… Continue

I am currently working here at Qatar Academy with Julie on a range of Web 2 / eLearning / 21stC Teaching & Learning / 1:1 projects. Check out the wiki that reports on much of the work at http://elearning.qataracademy.wikispaces.net/21stCLearning. Great opportunity to work with teachers on curriculum developments as the school heads towards implementing laptops for all Year 7 and 8 students in September. Our focus is ver… Continue