A selection of work that I am currently involved in.
Below you will find a collection of action research projects that I have been working on during the past 5 years. My aim is to create a bridge between the field of academic research and the real practice on the ground. In order to create a true picture of the journey that I have been on I have used an autobiographical approach that gives details, discussions and summaries of the significant changes that I have made in my thinking, practice and the relationships I have with the children that I teach. To find out more about each of these projects please click on the relevant title.
Bilingual Children and working in an International Setting
I have been working hard on putting together a range of ideas based on the area of Bilingual Education. As an International Educator I hope to address a range of critical theories in this field and bring to light an awareness of the issues in the education of English Language learners. I hope that I have helped to develop new insights in the differing approaches needed in education settings especially in International schools. I discuss the best practices in multicultural education and give examples of these.
Teaching Through the Outdoor Classroom.
During my work and professional development, based both in the UK and Europe, I have been increasingly impressed by the work and pedagogical studies that has been gathered about the importance of the "Outdoor Classroom" on a child's educational development. I hope that this section gives a range of perspectives, ideas and thoughts about how teaching through the outdoor classroom can be used to build and develop a young child's creative imagination and curiosity towards learning.
Story Telling and Teaching through the Arts.
Storytelling, the visual and the performing arts have always been an important part of my teaching style and technique. I hope to address, in this section, the importance of storytelling in Education. I offer some ideas and background knowledge which delves into how this teaching tool has always been used across the world and throughout our human history to educate young minds. I will give ideas and some practical perspectives about how storytelling and other art forms can be used to deliver any core curriculum.
Inclusive Education.
I have always had a great passion for working with children with "Special Educational Needs" and I hope that you will enjoy reading and finding out more from my background knowledge and understanding of the issues involved in this wide field of pedigogy. I will especially address issues within my own professional area of specialism which is children with "Social, Emotional and Behavioural Problems". I hope to give examples of appropriate educational responses and give a range of practical perspectives that I use in my working classroom.
Building Learning Power and developing Life Long Learners.
All of the projects that I have been involved in, during my own professional development have always brought me back and embraced the core models of understanding/ teaching and learning that are stated in this section. I have chosen this area of study to be my final area of reflection because it overides everything else that I teach and put into practice. This model of teaching has always excited me, as it questions the real purpose of our educational system and how our academic procedures actually help to support our pupils today. I strongly believe that it is important to allow every student to be a part of the process of learning as opposed to just being taught as they need to be active participants in our ever changing and shifting society. Teaching in this way takes time, a different level of effort and thinking but the results allows less room for short-term memory responses and develops a long term enjoyment of learning.
"We all can dance when we find the music that we love" Giles Andrede
