Journey Interrupted; Now Resumed

Return to Study: The Ups, Downs, and SidewaysWeek One, Starting Out The Ups The door has been unlocked, I’ve been readmitted, and it’s great to be back, researching a topic of my own choosing while nestled in the arms of the OU’s tried-and-tested higher education system: Challenged. Reassured. Supported autonomy.The OU Online Library service has…

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A question of Maths or English: why do some time-periods cause confusion?

Early years Children in Primary School have few problems counting in 10s.10, 20, 30 … Or 100s: 100, 200, 300, … Or 1000s: 1000, 2000, 3000, … Yep. They have that skill sewn up as soon as they recognise that there’s a pattern. So why does such a familiar pattern become seemingly incomprehensible when we…

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Large classes. Whatever next?

Big News Story this week. 63 pupils in one class. Shock, horror! That’s 63 pupils aged 11 -12 years. That’s 63 pupils each with their own laptop, smart tablet, and an uninterrupted sight of their class teacher. Rephrase that – their two class teachers and two class teaching assistants. Received wisdom dictates that the perfect…

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