The Bloggers 2.8

How could collaborative learning potentially impact on primary education? Collaborative learning, an educational approach, is defined as ‘an instruction method in which students at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal.’ (Laal and Laal, 2011) It is a common teaching approach which impacts classrooms as it promotes a student-centred approach and helps more than one child. Moreover, collaborative learning can also highlight weakness in another’s thoughts thus working within a group helps strengthen their knowledge. (APASS Education, 2015) The approach can be described as learners being the receiver of information and the constructors of knowledge. It helps children share their ideas and views aloud. This is different from traditional classrooms where the teacher is the facilitator and the provider of all valuable information. This impacts primary classrooms as it gives children a different way of completing their work. Collaborative le

What do you think should be the purposes of Primary Education? Primary education is believed to ‘underpin the success of a society.’ (UNICEF, 2000) It is therefore important to cover a child’s needs within the curriculum to fully benefit and develop their skills. In this blog post I will state my pedagogical beliefs and my views on some of the purposes of Primary education. Pedagogy is defined by Collins (2017) as t he study and theory of the methods and principles of teaching. It combines ‘theoretical and practical knowledge and skills with fine judgement about what is required to promote effective learning in contexts. It lies at the heart of what it means to be an excellent teacher.’ (Donaldson, 2015, p.63). The pedagogy and the purpose of primary education is to ‘educate the next generation of informed citizens (…) instilling them a love of knowledge and culture (…) also ensuring that young people receive the preparation they need to secure a good job and a fulfilling ca

How could creativity potentially impact on primary education? Creativity is a valuable and beneficial learning tool for every child and teacher in an educational environment. Creativity can be defined as putting your imagination to work or as a dynamic process of having original ideas that have value.’ (The Guardian, 2013) There are two perceptions to creativity which are imagination and innovation. Imagination is ‘the root of creativity, the ability to bring to mind things that aren’t present to our senses’ whilst innovation is ‘putting new ideas into practice.’ (Robinson, 2015). Creativity within a primary setting is usually encouraged by a teacher who provides thought-provoking and exciting material to kick start their imagination. It is important to incorporate creativity within primary education as it promotes key qualities such as freedom, expression, experimentation, individuality and teamwork. However, Michael Gove, former Secretary of State of Education, believes

HOW COULD CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING POTENTIALLY IMPACT ON PRIMARY EDUCATION? Cross curricular learning could potentially have an impact on primary education and here is why. Cross curricular learning is ‘when the skills, knowledge and attitudes of a number of different disciplines are applied to a single experience, problem, question, theme or idea.’ (Barnes, 2015a) In an educational context this means that cross curricular learning is about incorporating knowledge, skills and understanding from various subject areas instead of individual stand-alone subjects. Dewey (2008) states: ‘if we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrows’ which highlights his opinions on the importance of updating the curriculum to keep up with the requirements of the present day. Traditionally, individual subjects were the preferred method of teaching in primary education. Although in recent years the cross curricular approach has been a part of our generation and h

Emily Vaughan Blog Task What is the purpose of education and what are your pedagogical beliefs? I will be discussing and exploring the purpose of education and also my opinions on my pedagogical beliefs. The purpose of education is to define a child’s development in their education needs.  Luther, M (1947) made a mark of ‘the function of education therefore is to teach one and think intensively and to think critically.’ Therefore, education gives children the right mind to develop on their skills, knowledge and self-discipline which then outlines for them to think on wider views and use critical thinking. Education must enable children but also adults to become more efficient and to achieve with increase facility the legitimate goals on the ongoing individual lives. Children when in education need to promote on their individual knowledge on the process of cultural transmissions and teachers should teach children how to recognise the cultures around the world but not only this

Emily Vaughan Blog Task How could cross- curricular leaning potentially impact on primary education? Children all learn in their own individual way. Cross curricular learning impacts on the children’s relationships with one another when doing activities or group work on a table or even as the whole class but they can also learn from one another to mirror the real world. Progression through teaching to 3 to 4 subjects planning and tracking progression will be difficult but also essential to when it comes to teaching the topic within the subject. Perkins, D (2009) in sessions teachers must be ensure learners are clear what the learning expectations are and the time for skills and knowledge development and a concluding performance for learners to digest what they have learnt and what they will develop this in the next session.  Power, (2002) suggests that ‘schools need to embrace cross curricular learning and move away from reform that positions subjects in ways that hark back to

Emily Vaughan Blog Task How could creativity potentially impact on primary education? Creativity is key for children and young people in primary education as this is what they would be using throughout their education in school. Creativity is known by using imagination and generating new ideas to one another from their own knowledge or ideas that may be new and unusual. Problem solving links in with the application of using their own knowledge to come up with a situation. Some theorists such as Koestler, A (1964) quote that defining creativity is ‘the ability to make connections between previously unconnected ideas.’ However, NACCE, (1999) argues that ‘Creativity as, imaginative activity fashioned so as it produce outcomes that are both original and of value.’ According to Feist, G.J. (1998) ‘In the past creativity was the realm of psychologists and innovation was more the domain of economists however, we now look at them as a related and interwoven idea.’ He also mentions tha

Emily Vaughan Blog Task How could collaborative learning potentially impact on primary education?  I have recently taken part in a volunteering project working with St Nicholas Primary School in Cardiff; the children from the school were in year 5 and 6. The main aim of the project was to introduce technology to the pupils by using Green screen and Garage band. This benefitted the pupils as they were learning how to use different types of technology but also demonstrated collaborative learning as all the pupils were working with one another in order to create different pieces of work but also it links in with Piaget as his theory says that he promotes social interaction and this is what the pupils used when split into two group one group using the green screen and the other garage band. It showed me and helped me that seeing the children experience how to use technology and how collaborative learning is. All the children were taking part and getting involved even the reserved