Being my first experience of the sharing of 'best practise', I was blown away by the change in teaching approach, compared with my experience of high school English. Centering the teaching and learning around individual preference and need is a fabulous way to ensure we engage all of our learners, and still hit the target in the requirements for level passes. Giving students a choice is what they do, how they do it and what the result may look like, gives the learning a purpose and relevance to the learner.
I have sometimes struggled with the enormous change 'I thought' I would have had to make, moving from a primary to a secondary setting. This assumption, has proved to be unfounded. I have found, that as I have got to know my learners on a more deeper level; and they in turn have got to know me, we have begun to find our natural class learning style and rhythm. I can offer an integrated programme that offers co-constructed choice. I can still tick off the non-negotiables, while my students are exploring their passions in new and different ways.
Term 2 will be planned together, as we discuss the 'must do's' and create innovative 'can do's', while maneuvering the sometimes tricky waters of life in a college setting!
Watch this space...
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