Keith Varty – Biology/Science Teacher  

During the recent  staff meeting I organised a short CPD workshop to support Learning and Teaching of the Senior Phase.   This workshop focussed on Developing Independent Learning Skills and aimed to share strategies that help the young people of St. Margaret’s Academy become  independent learners.  Although I knew that I foster these skills in the young people in my classes, I did not feel like an expert.  As a result, I decided that during this workshop staff would have the opportunity to work independently through this PowerPoint presentation before having the opportunity to discuss any questions that arose. 

I then provided a demonstration of how I make use of the virtual learning platform that is Edmodo, to  give pupils more responsibility for their learning.  This involvedshowing staff how I:

• Share topical science news articles and videos
• Share Smartboard presentations used in class
• Publisce deadlines
• Create quizzes to consolidate learning
• Set an array of homework acticities from which pupils chose their focus
• Provide feedback on homeworks and assessments
• Support learners outwith the classroom
• Share research tasks with the class for peer-assessment Continue reading Developing Independent Learning Skills →