The Active Learning DVD
Introduction
The bear gets it! A moment during the 'Je Suis le Roi' activity
One of the problems of writing about kinaesthetic teaching methods is that you end up trying to describe movement. It’s a bit like trying to explain what a ballet dancer does – at some point you’re reduced to saying that they wave their arms round a lot and hop up and down – not the most artistic description ever! And it’s the same with active learning – how do you best describe the choreography of the pupils round the classroom? With charts? With text?
The DVD has now resolved this dilemma; it's the ideal complement to the scripts on this website, allowing you to see how the sequence of movement develops, how the pupils can be prompted to think through their answers and, above all, how structured and how controlled the activities are - all the features that, otherwise, you have to visualise.
And this DVD is now on sale for only £14.99 (inc. p&p in the UK, plus p&p outside the UK).
Contents
Six activities are shown 'in action' – favourites, washing lines and A-Level:
How to develop understanding of events and sources |
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Rebellions: why they happened and why they failed |
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Focus on the people and the community not the derelict buildings |
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A timeline activity creating a big picture very simply |
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A washing-line activity making a concept concrete and creating a structure for extended writing |
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This activity discusses and demonstrates how Active Learning can be used at A-Level to encourage students to become more independent in their reading of complex issues |
Interspersed amongst the demonstrations are interviews with 5 experienced teachers who add practical advice and discuss the benefits and impact of active learning in their classrooms.
The full playing time is 2 hours but the sections can be viewed individually.
For suggestions on using the DVD for CPD [ click here ].
Reviews
The DVD was 'officially' reviewed by 2 PGCE tutors, Michael Riley at Bath Spa and Terry Haydn at East Anglia.
Michael said it is "a great resource - so useful to see excellent practice modelled and then have teachers reflect on their practice ... If you are uncertain about the power of role-play to help pupils with their understanding of history you need to watch this ... full of useful ideas to help history teachers create more dynamic learning. Watch, learn and enjoy!"
Terry said the DVD is "a great resource ... the extracts graphically illustrate how to undertake classroom activities which involve active and kinaesthetic approaches and provides vivid exposure to good ideas about how to teach history."
Wide Applications
Feedback shows that the uses of the DVD are wider than I ever imagined - departmental CPD and mentoring of trainees were anticipated but others weren't - with the DVD being shown at parents' evenings to show how teaching styles have changed - at whole-school training to show what the history department does well.
How to Order - from the UK
At present we can only accept payment by cheque (UK banks) or electronically using telegraphic transfer (i.e. via Internet or e-banking using BACS/CHAPS transfer). So ..
By cheque: Send your name, address, e-mail address and a cheque (for £14.99, payable to Thinking History) to Ian Dawson, Thinking History, 9 Gledhow Grange Walk, Leeds LS8 1PJ.
If you would like us to invoice your school/college etc. send your name, address and any invoice details (name, order number etc.) by post (as above) or e-mail by using the [ contact form ]. We will enclose an invoice with the DVD.
By e-transfer (BACS/CHAPS): send your name and address by using the [ contact form ] and we will e-mail back with bank details.
How to Order - from Overseas
At present we can only accept payment electronically using telegraphic transfer (i.e. via Internet or e-banking using CHAPS transfer). So ..
Contact me by e-mail by using the [ contact form ] telling me your location and what currency you would like to pay in. We will e-mail back with the total cost (in Euros or dollars etc.) with relevant post, along with our bank details.
Discount
Have you signed up for the website’s newsletter? If so, remember to claim your £1 member’s discount
Download this information as a PDF
You can download a PDF which contains all this information [ click here ]
Feedback
Constructive feedback is always welcome, particularly anything that will help other teachers.
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