Category Archives: Learning and Teaching

Do we have a Boy’s underachievement problem within Geography in Northern Ireland?

Posted on 31/05/2023 by timmanson

I recently realised something.  My youngest child – who is a lad currently completing his Y14 A Level courses is at a distinct statistical disadvantage compared to his sister (who completed the same A Level subjects three years previously). I … Continue reading →

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The importance of developing the confidence of your students

Posted on 11/04/2023 by timmanson

John Hattie (2012) wrote in ‘Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximising Impact on learning’ that teacher efficacy has the greatest impact on student achievement.  This was based on the confidence that a teacher has in themselves – a teacher who lacks … Continue reading →

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The importance of Retrieval in learning and Revision

Posted on 07/02/2023 by timmanson

In just over one week I will be trying to get all the external exam students in my school to start to focus on their revision.   It is never easy to work out when is the right time to start … Continue reading →

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It’s a brain thing

Posted on 27/12/2022 by timmanson

In 1994 I started my PGCE course to allow me to train as a teacher.  This followed 3 years of studying for my BA in Geography (and History!)   I was young.  Enthusiastic.  Driven. Motivated and really keen to learn as … Continue reading →

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The Reading Challenge 2022

Posted on 19/12/2022 by timmanson

The Reading Challenge 2022 Last Christmas my daughter encouraged me to download and start to use the Good Reads app on my phone.   In recent years I had started to lose track of the different books that I had read … Continue reading →

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Using research to develop the practice of teaching

Posted on 24/09/2022 by timmanson

I am a member of the Chartered College of Teaching and have been for a while now.   I don’t really engage with a lot of their stuff or activities – I just don’t have the time,  and much of it … Continue reading →

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The Retrieval Mindset

Posted on 16/06/2022 by timmanson

This year in my school we have started a focus on ‘Retrieval Practice’.  You can read more of my thinking in this area on this page  . . .  It has been interesting working through some of the key elements … Continue reading →

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The thing about exams

Posted on 07/06/2022 by timmanson

Over the last 10 years there have been some massive changes to assessment in Post Primary schools in Northern Ireland.  But, these changes are not quite what you think might have happened.   If you had asked me ten years ago … Continue reading →

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The thing about memory

Posted on 03/05/2022 by timmanson

This week I have been doing some work with my Year 8 students about memory.  I usually introduce each class by explaining that I often describe myself as having “a bad memory” but then point out that actually that is … Continue reading →

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The thing about energy drinks

Posted on 26/03/2022 by timmanson

News reports tell us that young people in the UK consume more high-caffeine ‘energy’ drinks than children in the EU or the USA and the debate is raging about how significant these things are in harming their health and education. … Continue reading →

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