There is no average brain. “Variability is the dominant feature of the nervous system. Like fingerprints, no two brains are alike”. (UDL and the Learning Brain, CAST, 2018)

The Learner Variability Project by Digital Promise outlines four key domains of learner variability:

• Content knowledge: This encompasses the existing knowledge and skills a learner possesses in specific subjects like math or literacy. It's influenced by factors such as exposure, interest, and motivation, affecting how learners grasp and apply new information across different contexts.
• Cognition: Referring to mental processes and abilities like memory, attention, and metacognition, cognition varies based on developmental stage, genetics, and environment. It influences how learners process, organize, and regulate their learning.
• Social and emotional Learning (SEL): This domain focuses on emotional and social skills crucial for managing emotions, building relationships, and achieving goals. Skills like self-awareness, social awareness, and responsible decision-making are vital and influenced by factors like personality and emotions, impacting how learners handle stress, collaborate, and engage in learning.
• Student background: This encompasses personal and contextual factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, shaping a learner's identity, culture, and experiences. It influences how learners perceive themselves, their peers, and their learning environment.

To learn more about these factors explore their models of learners  at different stages of schooling.

An inclusive classroom environment ensures that all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, feel valued and supported. This involves creating a space where diversity is celebrated, and every student has equal access to learning opportunities.

Key Strategies:

1. Promote diversity and fairness: Encourage respect for all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities. Use diverse teaching materials that reflect the experiences of all students.
2. High expectations for all: Believe in the potential of every student. Research shows that students perform better when teachers have high expectations for them.
3. Supportive peer culture: Foster a classroom culture where students support and respect each other. Encourage empathy and positive social interactions.
4. Personalized learning: Adapt teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students. Use a variety of instructional strategies to engage all learners.
5. Open communication: Create an environment where students feel safe to express their thoughts and ideas. Encourage open discussions about differences and inclusivity.

Importance: An inclusive classroom environment not only supports the academic success of all students but also promotes social and emotional well-being. It helps students develop a sense of belonging and prepares them to thrive in a diverse society.

“The challenge for teachers and schools is to develop a shared understanding of what excellent practice looks like. While it will not look exactly the same in every classroom, there are some instructional practices that evidence suggests work well in most.”  (High impact teaching strategies: Excellence in teaching and learning, Victoria State Government, 2020)

Links:

Which teaching strategies are effective? | How do you become an expert teacher? | Teacher workshop: Lens on Learning - PD presentation

Resource:

Department of Education and Training Victoria. (2017). High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS). Department of Education and Training.

Providing accurate feedback is central to learning.

Feedback should be formative, timely, specific, and actionable, guiding students on how to improve. Effective feedback also engages students and promotes ownership of their learning. Wiliam notes that feedback must lead to a change in the student's approach to be effective and should focus on tasks and processes, not on boosting the student’s ego.

Professor Dylan William suggests practical approaches like the "Feed Up, Feedback, Feed Forward" method and the "5R Model" (Repeat, Reteach, Reach, Reassure, Review), as well as using dialogue and questioning to assess and support student understanding.

Resources: 

• Dylan Wiliam on Feedback That Makes a Difference to Students

Four key ideas to get started:

1. Learning depends on a complex blend of cognitive, emotional, and contextual factors. Here is a useful summary of what research tells us about the roles that mindset, cognition, emotions, and identity play in learning.
2. Educators should be clear about what evidence of learning looks like. We should be aware of the difference between learning and performance, to make sure we are looking for deep learning and not merely the performance of what appears to be learning.
3. There are research-supported strategies students can use to ensure their learning lasts. Here are three brain-based activities that support deeper learning in all ages.
4. A sense of meaning and purpose fuels deeper learning. This is a fascinating study of how narrative-building is an indicator of deep thinking in its impact on a student’s “whole brain.

This infographic illustrates four ways of learning. Of course, there are other ways, as well, and we each have our own learning style; some learn experientially or socially, others more intellectually. Which of the four ways in this infographic are the most significant for you?

Inquiry is at the heart of the IB approach to teaching and learning. If a student inquires they are in the driving seat of their own learning - they are taking charge. Nurturing inquiry and curiosity is key if a student is to be a lifelong learner, wanting to always discover new worlds.

'You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.' (Clay P. Bedford)

“In an inquiry-based learning environment the teacher’s job is not to provide knowledge but to help students along in their process of discovering knowledge.” (IB, Approaches to teaching and learning in the Diploma Programme)

Link: Teaching is based on inquiry | Mini PD: Teaching based on inquiry | WHAT is inquiry-based learning? | Models of inquiry based learning | HOW do we nurture inquiry? | WHICH inquiry strategies to use - role of questions 

Concepts are the "glue that holds our mental world together." (Murphy GL (2002,The big book of concepts, MIT Press.)

“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” (Albert Einstein)

Developing conceptual understanding is fundamental to the IB's teaching approach because it:

1. integrates learning by helping students see connections between different subjects and ideas,
2. deepens knowledge by moving beyond rote memorization to a deeper understanding of core principles,
3. fosters critical thinking by encouraging students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information,
4. promotes application by enabling students to apply concepts in various contexts, enhancing real-world problem-solving skills, and
5. encourages lifelong learning by instilling a love for learning and curiosity that extends beyond the classroom.

Link: Teaching is focused on conceptual understanding | Mini PD: Teaching through concepts 

PS: Do you know about 'Signature Pedagogies'? I.e. are you teaching history or nurturing historians. Find out more: How do you introduce a student to your subject? .

One of the IB approaches to teaching is that learning is developed in contexts - both local and global.

Learning and teaching contextually refers to the approach of understanding and imparting knowledge in a way that is relevant to the students' real-world experiences and surroundings.

This method emphasizes the importance of relating academic content to practical applications and the learners' personal lives, thereby making the learning process more engaging and meaningful.

Links:

Teaching is developed in local and global context | Mini PD: Teaching in (local and global) contexts  | What is our Global Context? | Global Citizen - what does it mean? | Global Competencies | Be a digital global citizen | Global Issues | Global issues resource bank 

The large number of AI tools available today can feel overwhelming. Here are some which I find useful:

• Padlet: This tool facilitates interactive brainstorming sessions and collaborative projects with students, offering a straightforward platform for providing feedback and monitoring student progress.
• Copilot: Copilot supports teachers by providing instant access to information, generating lesson plans, offering personalized teaching strategies, and saving time on administrative tasks, enhancing overall teaching effectiveness and student engagement. I find it helpful to search for articles and citations.
• Maestra: Transcribes and translates in 125+ languages, breaking language and accessibility barriers.
• Quillbot: Detects AI-generated text, maintaining academic integrity.
• Brisk: A free AI-powered Chrome extension designed specifically for educators. It integrates smoothly with tools like Google Docs, Google Classroom, and Canvas. Brisk features personalized curriculum material creation, optimized student feedback, and AI-driven writing analysis, making it a great way to streamline your teaching workload.
• Magic School AI offers educators over 60 tools that enhance lesson planning, student feedback, and interactive learning. Through its MagicStudent feature, Magic School also promotes AI literacy and responsible use, fostering a safe and inclusive educational environment.
• Canva: This tool helps create visually appealing aids, posters, and presentations that engage students and support learning.
• Difft is an AI tool that enables educators to tailor content to various reading levels. Teachers can easily adapt materials like PDFs and videos into differentiated resources to suit different student needs.

Rather than trying to use every available tool, it’s more effective to focus on a select few and develop our skills in asking insightful questions and crafting precise prompts

Link:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education | How to write a prompt for AI | How to reference AI tools | What the IB says about Artificial Intelligence 

Time management is crucial for both students and teachers as it involves organizing tasks, setting goals, and maintaining focus. Effective time management helps in balancing responsibilities, reducing stress, and enhancing productivity.

Schools play a crucial role in nurturing students to become global citizens by fostering empathy, cultural awareness, and a sense of responsibility towards global issues. This can be achieved through inclusive curricula that integrate global perspectives, encourage critical thinking, and promote active participation in community service and global initiatives. By exposing students to diverse cultures and global challenges, schools can help them develop the skills and mindset needed to contribute positively to an interconnected world.

Here are some resources schools can use:

Pearson’s Global Citizenship 5-16 Programme: This program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to help students understand global issues, develop critical thinking skills, and engage in community projects. It includes lesson plans, activities, and assessments tailored for different age groups.

UNESCO’s Global Citizens for Sustainable Development Guide: This guide offers practical strategies and activities for educators to foster global citizenship and sustainable development in their classrooms. It includes case studies, lesson plans, and tools for assessing students’ progress.

Links:

What is our Global Context? | Global Citizen - what does it mean? | Global Competencies | Be a digital global citizen | Global Issues | Global issues resource bank