[Russell Courts]

My school has asked me to propose 3 lectures/seminars etc. that would be for the whole staff body that would 'enrich' the educational atmosphere of the school. I know that it would be much more helpful to focus on departments or specific skills, but they want something general. To be fair, we already have the odd session on IT, whiteboards, special needs etc. So I was wondering since you guys are smart and innovative teachers whether anyone had seen anything really interesting especially if related to alternative teaching methods?

Thanks

This post has been edited by Russell Courts: 07 October 2009 - 12:22 PM

[suzygudgeon]

We had a session run by various staff on thinking skills lessons - everyone got something out of it and then we set up trios work where we all got to observe at least two other teachers using the ideas from the inset - its been the most useful in school inset I've had.

[donald cumming]

If you fancy something fun and with impact in the classroom why not run SMART weeks, and provide the inset prior to it. Pick a theme (SMART = student friendly multiple intelligences --> Body SMART = kinaesthetic), deliver a general inset: 'here are some groovy ideas' then 'how would you do it in your lessons' development time plus 'ideas sharing' at the end of the session. Then the week after have an expectation that all lessons will include this SMART in them in some way. The following week get teams to evaluate what went well - and of course celebrate successes too! Oh, and check with the kids to see how much they enjoyed the week.

[DaveStacey]

I'd absolutely agree with Donald, both on focusing on the SMARTs, and also on the structure of the events.

One other thing to consider would be a 'Teachmeet' style event where staff from across the school were encouraged (bribed!?!) to give either 7 minute presentations or 2 minute micro presentations on something that has worked for them. A great way of celebrating good ideas, and encourages widespread involvement across the staff. I'm hoping to arrange our next transition inset on a similar basis and I know of other schools that have used the model for their own insets.

[Andrew Field]

Run a Pecha Kucha night.

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Pecha_Kucha

[Dan Moorhouse]

The SMART materials are good but can take a while for classes to get used to. (I think Donald heard my rant during a 'first bash at this' with a lower ability group from the far end of school today....) It DOES work though - even if thats an 'eventually' which I fear it will be for one of my groups!