A tour around the TLC's (TLC 4)

The aim of TLC 4 is to bridge the gap between the TLC's that have just gone and the TLC's that are to come. The first three TLC's were based around cross-curricular groupings. They involved staff working closely with other members from different faculties within the school. The last three TLC's (after today) are set up in faculties with colleagues working together with members of their own faculty.

As usual for this academic year Rossett staff are working around one of three important themes:

+ Questioning

+ Feedback

+ Differentiation

The aim of today's session was to allow staff to produce a presentation to showcase the progress that they have made so far with their chosen area. The example below comes from the questioning group.

 

Questioning

The questioning group began with a quick game of 'Who am i?' To connect the TLC to the topic of questioning. Staff were engaged in the activity and adopted creative approaches to help find out who was stuck to their heads.

The staff then focussed on the different questioning techniques they have successfully used already. They wrote them on a post it and then stuck them to the Keep Calm and Reflect board.

Staff really looked to focus on the impact that their work so far has had on teaching and learning.

Feedback

The feedback group began with an anagram competition to connect the TLC to the session. The staff were really engaged in the activity. Some staff were even using iPads to help them (some staff accused them of cheating) work out that CLOSING THE GAP was the theme.

The feedback group delivered more formal presentations showcasing how they have developed their use of feedback. The enthusiasm for the topic was evident from both presenters and those watching. Using digital methods to present to the group allowed for all the group to review the presentations at a later date.

Differentiation

The staff began with a QuizQuizTrade Kagan activity to connect the TLC to the session. The cards contained the key themes of the session and allowed the staff to all focus on the progress they have made so far and how they would develop their ideas in the coming term.

The staff then discussed their work so far with members of their faculties and produced short micro presentations, in a learning fair format, to show the progress made so far and where they need to go.

The differentiation group also used a learning fair style to allow all the staff to walk around and see what each other faculty has done so far and the impact it has had.

Again the quality of what was shared was outstanding and a lot of the staff commented to each other about how much they've learnt from sharing in the session.

Conclusions

The atmosphere within the TLC's was again exceptional. The quality of what staff were sharing really stood out as did the openness with which they shared their ideas. 

"I've actually stolen part of this from Rob."

"I've forgotten that I used to do that but now I've seen how you've used it I'm going to try it again."

All three of the sessions were fantastic examples of the quality of the staff @Rossett and the quality of the work they are doing in their lessons. All three sessions were buzzing with excellent pedagogy and good ideas. 

The start of the term felt like a fantastic time to be sharing in this way.