We have recently been focusing on improving student learning resources and have invested in Questia and Brainpop. Questia is a powerful online library of ebooks and electronic articles that supports teaching and study and is of the appropriate level for our students. Brainpop is a learning site that offers hundreds of mini animations on lots of topics that directly support our curriculum. It is a fun and excellent way to learn and enables students to study and learn at home and be true inquirers. We have also been updating the iPads for next year’s students and this process will take several weeks to complete. Each machine is carefully prepared with application and programmes based on what they will be studying next year. Go to www.brainpop.com log in: abisoman password: sohar123 if you would like to have a play and look.
One major area of focus for students right now is study skills. Grade 10 have nearly completed their iGCSE exams and Grade 8 and 9 will soon have end of year exams and so there has been a special focus on ‘how’ we learn. I am giving sessions on the neuroscience of learning with every grade level, as it is an area of personal interest to me and an area that I view as essential knowledge. There are many fascinating facts resulting from the scientific research, which has shown that people can make their memories much more powerful through a number of techniques called mnemonics. We are also dedicating time to showing students ‘how’ to put a revision schedule together and ‘how’ to study effectively and will continue to reinforce this each and every school year.
Have a relaxing weekend!
Leo Thompson
