Category: Uncategorized

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STUDY SKILLS FOR the 21st century

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The world at work has changed radically since last century. So, too, has the world at school.

Students are no longer required to simply learn a bunch of facts and demonstrate having learnt them by vomiting up answers to “who, what, where” type questions. Sure, naming, identifying, classifying and explaining still form part of all assessments, but more and more emphasis is being placed on critical thinking, assimilating, synthesising and creating. The old-fashioned ways of learning by rote are no longer sustainable. Students HAVE to understand their material fully and MUST be able to think about it from a variety of different perspectives, as well as engage critically with the content. In order to do so, successfully and sustainably, effective study skills need to be learned as early as possible.

Continue reading “STUDY SKILLS FOR the 21st century” →
Learning, Life Skills, Parenting, Self-improvement, Study Skills, Uncategorized

More Do’s and Don’t for Healthy, Happy End-Of-Year-Exam-ing

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Following on from my previous article, 4 Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy End-of-Year-Exam-ing (click link for article), here are some more tips for parents of exam-writing students:

5. Do: monitor screen time

Much has been written about the evils and benefits of cellphones, tablets and other screen-based devices. Studies have revealed both positive and negative effects of screens on children and teens. One thing is certain, though – we live in a digital age and our children will use devices; get used to it! However, experts all agree that too much screen time is bad for us; bad for our mood, our physical health and our brains. Continue reading “More Do’s and Don’t for Healthy, Happy End-Of-Year-Exam-ing” →

Learning, Life Skills, Parenting, Study Skills, Uncategorized

4 Do’s and Don’t’s for Healthy End-of-Year-Exam-ing

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It’s that crazy time of year again: END OF YEAR EXAMS! The stakes are high and the stress is higher. Students who are in danger of failing are in crisis and so are their parents. Teachers are bogged down and under extreme pressure to finish the year’s curriculum, ensure all their students are equipped to pass and complete a mountain of marking and admin before break-up day. The atmosphere in most schools … and homes … is tense, to say the least.

How can you, as a parent, be most effective in helping your child navigate this stressful ambit most successfully?

Continue reading “4 Do’s and Don’t’s for Healthy End-of-Year-Exam-ing” →

Adult education, Learning, Life Skills, Life-long learning, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized

Eek! They want me to speak!

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If you’re someone who fears speaking in public, you are not alone. In fact, you’re in the same boat as 74% of the world’s population who also suffer from glossophobia; the fancy name for this fear. There’s a biological imperative for having this fear. It goes back millennia and is embedded in our DNA and neurological pathways. Continue reading “Eek! They want me to speak!” →

Curriculum, Languages, Learning, Uncategorized

First Additional Language for the Win!

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The limits of my language are the limits of my world. Ludwig Wittgenstein

The benefits of bilingualism are manifold. Recent research into brain plasticity and functioning are revealing more and more advantages to learning a second (and third) language. From improved cognitive ability  and higher test results across all subjects, to behavioral improvements and increased tolerance and empathy, the list goes on and on. Hey – being bilingual even wards off dementia, helps prevent Alzheimers and delays brain atrophy by about 7 years!

With all these benefits, why do our South African school students (and their parents) complain so much about their requisite First Additional Language? Shouldn’t the inclusion of a compulsory second language in our school curriculum be applauded and encouraged? All the studies on bilingualism concur that it makes no difference what language is being acquired; the benefits remain the same. Continue reading “First Additional Language for the Win!” →

Adult education, Life Skills, Life-long learning, Public Speaking, Self-improvement, Uncategorized

Glossophobia: fear of public speaking

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“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”  Jerry Seinfeld

Having always been one of the freakish minority who actually enjoy speaking in public, I have often wondered why people allow themselves to continue through life with this very real phobia, without doing something about it. I mean, we all have to do it at some point; may as well learn how to enjoy it, right? Continue reading “Glossophobia: fear of public speaking” →

Homework, Learning, Study Skills, Teaching, The Education System, Uncategorized

Homework! Oh, Homework!

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Years ago, when I  still owned my educational theatre company – Hooked on Books – I included a poem by Jack Prelutsky in the Senior Primary show. I had my actors sing the poem, with accompanying choreography, to the tune of George Michael’s Faith (which will give you a clearer indication of how many years ago I’m talking about 😉 )

Go on, sing it (you’ll need to extend some words and add in a few “oh-ohs” to make it scan – but you can do it): Continue reading “Homework! Oh, Homework!” →

Learning, Life Skills, Parenting, Teaching, Uncategorized

Failing to let them fail

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When I was living and teaching in California, in the early 2000’s, I was lucky enough to attend some wonderful teaching conferences and seminars. A particularly inspirational speaker (whose name I wish I’d written down, or committed to memory) said something that made a huge impression on me:

“Never deny a student their right to fail.”

Continue reading “Failing to let them fail” →

Case Studies, Life Skills, Teaching, Testimonials, Uncategorized

Spotting Talent

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If I had to narrow down the one thing that I’m best at, it would probably be the ability to spot potential and talent in people. Running my own education theatre company years ago, I managed to nab the “pick of the litter” each year. Now our TV screens, stages and award ceremonies are littered with stars who landed their first acting jobs with me, back in the day.

When I was teaching in schools, I managed to spot talent in my students, too. Continue reading “Spotting Talent” →

Case Studies, Learning, Study Skills, Teaching, Uncategorized

Case Study: Drowning in the Stream

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Erin’s mom phoned me at the start of Term Two: “Erin’s failing Geography. She just can’t understand it – can you help?”

Can’t understand Geography? Surely any applied science at high school level is quite easy to grasp. So I dug a little deeper: Continue reading “Case Study: Drowning in the Stream” →