As we enter the final term of what has been an enormously challenging year, all eyes turn to the challenges yet to come. From teacher-assessed grades and final assessments to planning for next year, there has never been a more important time to get your CPD fix. But with so many conferences, courses, books, podcasts, blogs and even radio stations now offering training, perception and innovation, what are the best bets for easily accessible CPD?
Teacher CPD: My favourite books and podcasts
Below are some examples of outstanding books and podcasts that are as entertaining as they are insightful and offer plenty of “lightbulb moments”.
Education Exposed: Leading a school in a time of uncertainty by Sam Strickland
Principal Sam Strickland cuts right to the core of what is important in this wonderful book on leadership, leading and creating an effective and positive culture. Divided into self-contained chapters that deal with challenges seen at all levels of education (behaviour, workload, curriculum), the book offers practical and easily applicable advice and strategies. An absolute must-read for any leader or aspiring leader. Simple, effective and fascinating.
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Why Don’t Students Like School? by Daniel Willingham
Professor of psychology Daniel Willingham offers a fascinating guide to psychological theory through the prism of education to answer questions that teachers have posed for an eternity: how can we adjust teaching for all learners? Why do students remember everything that’s on TV and forget everything I say? And, perhaps most interestingly, why don’t students like school? Drawing on a range of contemporary research, Willingham offers practical strategies to combat each challenge through detailing the practices and steps that can be taken to help students love school, learning and education.
Back on Track: Fewer things, greater depth by Mary Myatt
Author of the excellent High Challenge, Low Threat: How the best leaders find the balance and The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to coherence, Mary Myatt, in her latest book, offers themes that will be familiar to anyone who has read her previous work or attended her excellent workshops. This book deals specifically with cutting workload and allowing more time to focus on the things that really matter in a school or college. Whether this is looking at school/college processes to decide if they add value, or scrutinising and developing an ambitious curriculum. This book is an excellent guide to ensuring a rich, high-quality curriculum.
Teacher Toolkit Podcast by Ross Morrison McGill
A highly experienced teacher and senior leader, Ross Morrison McGill has been described as “Britain’s most influential teaching guru”. Ross has spent much of the past few years supporting and training in schools across Britain, Europe and the rest of the world. His goal is simple: “to make complex classroom theory as practical and as accessible as possible for time-poor teachers”. Having released several books, and having blogged regularly since 2007, he covers everything from research to multi-academy trusts to first aid in schools in his podcast. There is something for everyone here, and it’s a must-listen.
Mr Barton Maths podcast by Craig Barton
Renowned maths teacher Craig Barton gained much success on the publication of his first book, How I wish I’d Taught Maths. An excellent read that mixes contemporary educational theory on maths and assessment and gives insight into how this can be used to support student memory retrieval. Much like his books, this podcast places the spotlight firmly on research and how it can be used to support students and student achievement. Packed with a who’s who of educational innovators, this is also a must-listen.
Pedagogy Matters podcast by Jonny Rees
Developed by the College Development Network (CDN) and hosted by North East lecturer and leader Jonny Rees, this podcast discusses all things pedagogy with a range of guests from across education. Debating and discussing such topics as the importance of relationships, effective classroom management and how to engage students through online learning, the podcast follows a conversational format with experienced teachers and leaders from across the sector offering their thoughts, experiences and solutions around the many challenges in education.
Whether you’re listening or reading for pleasure or to support continual professional development, the above certainly offer a host of innovations and strategies to tackle any challenge.
Jonny Kay is the head of teaching and learning at a college in the North East. He tweets at @jonnykayteacher
