Ideas in Education

It may well be the summer holidays and the Eurovision Song Contest is not due again until May 2016, but as featured in the Ideas in Education episode 'The Growing Demand for EAL' or English as an Additional Language, we have set you a short music test on European languages to mull over and hum away to for the next few weeks. Can you identify the five different European languages featured as we fumble through the radio dial? Tweet your answers 1 through to 5 to @IdeasinEd or visit the Ideas in Education Facebook page and post your answers on our wall.  The correct answers will be posted on Friday 28 August on Twitter and Facebook. Happy singing/humming/whistling.....  

The demand for English to be taught as an additional language (EAL) in schools across the UK is a growing. According to the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC), more than one in six pupils are learning English as an additional language. That equates to upwards of 1.1 million pupils, with the numbers expected to increase year-on-year. In this, the final episode of this current series of Ideas in Education, Andy McColl is in conversation with EAL Teacher and Coordinator, Kamil Trzebiatowski.  As part of a wide range of cuts in recent years, the coalition government scrapped the dedicated grant to help EAL learners in 2011. So where does that leave schools, teachers and students?   Plus, a test to help keep your mind active during the summer break. How good is your knowledge of European languages? Have a listen and tweet your five answers to the Ideas In Education Twitter page. 

As we draw close to the end of the academic year, Andy McColl is in conversation with Ross Powell, an NQT at a primary school in Wiltshire about reaching the end of his first year in education. Ross was also the very first guest to appear on Ideas in Education. Episode One is still available to download and listen to. We also have some advice for the next batch of NQTs starting in September. But, prepare for negative side of teaching as we hear anonymous accounts from teachers who have quit the profession, some of which did not finish their NQT year. You can share your thoughts on our Twitter feed @IdeasinEd or on the Ideas in Education Facebook page. 

Maggie Philbin has become a household name during an extensive career, from her early days as a co-presenter of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, demonstrating a vast number of innovations on Tomorrow’s World from the world’s first mobile phones to supermarket barcode scanners, to the present day helping teenagers, parents and teachers better understand the opportunities available to young people in science and technology. Maggie speaks with Andy McColl about the positive impact the TeenTech Awards has had on students and schools, her feelings on the current well publicised skills shortage and some fond memories of working in television and radio for more than three decades. You can share your thoughts on our Twitter feed @IdeasinEd or on the Ideas in Education Facebook page.    To find out more about Teen Tech, visit Teentech.com

Gay and Teaching…Are You In or Out? Part Two In this episode, Andy McColl is in conversation with a teacher and a former tutor as they discuss some the issues they have encountered being gay and working in teaching. Plus, the important role everyone in schools can play in promoting equality and combating homophobic bullying. #SameLove

We explore some of the issues encountered by teachers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). What help and guidance is available for people working in education when trying to tackle homophobia? Plus, what impact did Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 have on students, pupils and equality.  You can have your say on our Twitter feed @IdeasinEd or on the Ideas in Education Facebook page. 

What should parents say to give encouragement to their teenage child ahead of exams to help focus their mind and calm their nerves? Ideas in Education presents the five WORST things a parent could ever say. Take note if you like living in a tidy home. 

In this episode, Andy McColl is in conversation with Gareth Lewis, a former Assistant Head Teacher, National Development Co-ordinator at ASDAN Education and blogger about his belief that the current exam system in schools is letting students down.    His biggest concern is young people are not being adequately prepared for leaving education to enter the world of work. “When a young person goes out into the real world, do they really know what credit is all about…do they understand what council tax is?” “Why do we have this situation in education where we’re working towards a test? Once you finish education you pretty much never do the test again. So why do we do that?” 

In this episode, Rhys is in conversation with Nigel Giles, a former headteacher with more than 30 years of experience working in education. "To simply give one overall grading is at best simplistic, at worst? Shoddy." "Ofsted rules by fear. It is fear of a poor report and the damage it can do."

In part two, due on Friday 1st May, hear the view of a head teacher with more than 30 years' experience of Ofsted inspections.  Part one - Rhys Giles in conversation with an Ofsted Inspector is still available to download.   

In this episode, Rhys Giles is in conversation with Mary Myatt, a former teacher who trained to become an Ofsted Inspector. “I never, ever forget that I’m an unwelcome presence, but you’re not judging teachers, I’m judging aspects of their practice…..it’s pointless putting on a show, it’s pointless worrying…we’re trying to see practice that's natural.”

In this episode, we're giving the real teachers a bit of a rest as Andy McColl is joined by Show My Homework's Emily Milward to chart the Top 10 Fictional Teachers. How many of your favourites will feature?  Read Emily's blog post here: http://blog.showmyhomework.co.uk/our-top-10-fictional-teachers

Nick Buckingham is a Media teacher at a Further Education College in Northamptonshire. He talks about his techniques in the classroom to help his students get as much practical experience as possible. Also, his great admiration of teachers in secondary schools and frustration at how politics often impacts education.

In this episode, Andy McColl is in conversation with former English teacher Elizabeth Whycer about her experience teaching at schools in north London during the 1980s before and after the National Curriculum was introduced. Also, her love of photography and her plans to inspire young people to explore their creativity through art.

In this first episode, Andy speaks to two Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) about their experiences in education so far.