A Tour of the TLCs - TLC 4

TLC 4 is the first TLC in the second cycle and provides staff at Rossett with the opportunity to focus on a second area in the 2014-15 TLC cycle. The aim of this two pronged approach was to keep the year fresh and making progress more constant throughout the year. After the 2013-14 cycle some staff felt that having just one focus had been too repetitive.

The session began with staff watching a video I had produced which looked to develop the staff outcomes by ensuring that staff produced more evidence of the impact that their TLC focus was having on their own teaching.

As always with these 'Tour of the TLC' blog posts the aim is to show a snapshot of each of the TLC areas of focus not to provide comprehensive coverage.

Sixth Form Independence

Staff began by focusing on the concept of independent learning as outlined by the sixth form. The students gave very different views on what 'independent learning' means to them. This provided a good stimulus to help staff focus on the challenged faced teaching sixth form students.

+ Several staff highlighted the issue with students wanting to be spoon-fed information "why don't you just tell me Miss?"

+ "One thing that always stays true is that by the end of year 13 they have cracked it" "How do we get that end of year 13 attitude in year 12?"

 

The session then moved on to look at how to challenge this.

Feedback and DIRT

Staff began by looked at what effective DIRT looks like. Several members of staff talked about using technology to develop DIRT. Staff also talked about setting DIRT for homework and what made this successful.

Staff then looked at what made good practice with DIRT and looking at quality over quantity. Making an event of the process. Time management is also an issue. Finding the balance between teachers work and students work. Making the most of staff time and making the most of marking time. Maximising the impact of the time put in.

Staff moved onto comparing examples of marking to see where they fit onto the matrix. See below:

Using iPads and Technology

When I entered this TLC group staff had been reading blog posts and were discussing the benefits of iPads and technology and about the drawbacks facing them in their subjects.

Staff then used BaiBoard to share their ideas around the following themes:

+ Benefits

+ Drawbacks

+ How will you apply it?

See below:

Challenge

 Staff were reading through the strategies on the slide below when I arrived:

They were looking to come up with three strategies that they would try in their lessons:

Pupil Premium

Staff were looking at researching three techniques to develop their ability to check pupil progress with a focus on Pupil Premium. Staff shared what was working for them and the challenges that they face implementing them.