The truth is that both pupils and teachers are often prone to the belief that human intelligence is static – we are born with an innate, hardwired IQ and we cannot become more intelligent than our IQ
dictates. It’s an interesting question and raises a vast array of connected questions about the extent to which knowledge is formed and about how manipulating our beliefs about things can directly and indirectly alter our behaviour in a multitude of ways.
Could teaching children about the way their brains work make them more successful in school?
Posted: 22nd February 2012 by marc in Education, General PsychologyTags: Brain, Dweck, Education, mindset, Motivation, Psychology, Teaching
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Social Networking: Teachers need guidelines not reprimands
Posted: 7th February 2012 by marc in Education, UncategorizedTags: Education, Teaching
Primary school teacher Elizabeth Scarlett was recently disciplined by the
General Teaching Council of Wales after comments about drinking and parties appeared on her Facebook page. This isn’t the first time that a teacher has fallen foul of the unwillingness of schools and local authorities to offer guidance on the use of social media. The likes of Facebook and Twitter have become so common that big business and Members of Parliament now use them in order to communicate with the public (and, now and then, get into a bit of trouble over some careless remark). Teachers, however, appear to be suffering more than most. Hardly a term goes by without a member of the teaching profession being reprimanded or warned for posting some comment or inappropriate snapshot from a camera-phone. Some time ago I blogged that North Yorkshire County Council decided not to offer advice to teachers regarding social networking because they saw it as obvious that teachers would know what they should and should not do – obviously they don’t, perhaps because they are unaware of the consequences of such actions.
Michael Gove never ceases to confuse me
Posted: 13th January 2012 by marc in EducationTags: Education, Free Schools, Teacher Wellbeing, Teaching
Most teachers (and parents) would certainly agree that we need to ensure that our education system is of the highest possible standard. Unfortunately
there appears to be a great deal of disagreement concerning the means of achieving this and the education secretary appears to be making a difficult situation impossible. While I would agree with him on some points (for example, poor teachers should really find a job more suited to their talents) Michael Gove’s approach to education remains muddled.
Psychology on Kindle
Posted: 5th December 2011 by marc in General Psychology, UncategorizedTags: A-level, Education, Psychology, Teaching, Teenagers, well-being
Amazon are increasing the number of Psychology books available for the Kindle. This is a just a small selection available so far but the list should be periodically updated.
Psychology in North Yorkshire
Posted: 29th November 2011 by marc in A-level Psychology, EducationTags: Boroughbridge, Education, Psychology, Teaching
Considering taking A-level Psychology? As well as reading this post you might also want to think about where you intend to study. Most of you will simply stay where you are after year 11, others might opt for a College of Further Education. Whatever you decide, if you’re really serious about psychology, you might find it beneficial to be taught psychology by an actual psychologist. As odd as it may sound, many A-level Psychology teachers don’t even have any qualifications in psychology! There are a number of reasons for this (I’ve written about it before) and it’s unlikely that the situation is going to change any time soon.
G.Stanley Hall – A reassessment
Posted: 24th October 2011 by marc in Parentings, TeenagersTags: Parenting, Teenagers
My previous assessment of G.Stanley Hall’s view of the teenage years was highly critical of the
so-called storm and stress of adolescence. Despite this, there is much to be praised in Hall’s overall theory including his insights into the manner in which teenagers develop a sense of self. Hall’s views on adolescence were once considered brilliant insights into the rocky road of human development; however, they gradually fell out of favour with the academic community. Like Freud, Hall is seen as a product of his time whose theories have become more irrelevant as our knowledge of DNA, genes and the neurochemistry has increased. Certainly, much of the criticisms are justified but we shouldn’t be so quick to completely dismiss all of Hall’s views in the same way as we mustn’t dismiss all of Freud’s theories out of hand. Within the nonsense of much of Hall’s work are moments of brilliance that are as relevant today as they were in Hall’s own time. Despite his insistence on the storm and stress of adolescence being an inevitable product of growing up being largely dismissed, it is possible to offer a much more favourable analysis of his theories in the light of modern research.
Twitter, the press and a nice bit of teacher bashing.
Posted: 23rd October 2011 by marc in Education, TeenagersTags: Education, Teaching
I have written about social networking and teachers before (see here), nevertheless, sites like Facebook and Twitter still continue to cause problems for teachers, perhaps only because the press appear to see teachers as easy targets. Anybody who has been reading my own Twitter feed (@PsychologyMarc) over the last few days will have become aware of my support for Essex teacher Charlotte Berry who tweeted under the name @TalkToTeens. Those readers who may not know the story can get up-to-date with this excellent post here which describes in detail how a journalist from the Billericay Gazette used Berry’s Twitter posts as a cheap attempt to sell a few more local papers.You should also read this equally brilliant post in support of Berry.
Reading with kids
Posted: 20th October 2011 by marc in Education, Parentings, UncategorizedTags: Education, Parenting, Teaching, Video
Recently came across this excellent video from the Guardian on reading with children.
Help! I need a parenting expert.
Posted: 18th October 2011 by marc in Parentings, TeenagersTags: Education, Parenting, Psychology
At which point does a parent become a parenting ‘expert’? For that matter, do parenting expert need to be parents? Supernanny Jo Frost has no children of her own – does this make her a better adviser on how to bring up our children than others who do have kids?
So you’re thinking about taking A-level Psychology?
Posted: 14th October 2011 by marc in A-level Psychology, Courses, EducationTags: A-level, Psychology, Students
Brilliant! Psychology is now the fourth most popular A-level in the country and the numbers are growing each year. Nevertheless, there are quite a few things to consider before deciding to spend the next two years studying it. Here are just a few pieces of advice along with some questions you might like to ask yourself.
