Every year at the International School of Toulouse we run the ‘Hard Boiled Humanities’ Easter egg competition, which is great fun for the [...]
8th June 2016
Crowdsource your marking with Twitter/Facebook polls
Using Google’s new 3D interior views for virtual field trips
The potential of Google Maps for producing Virtual Field Trips is well-established, and I even coded my own online application (“Mission [...]
8th June 2016
Create customised Google Search Engines for the classroom: How and WHY
How? A relatively little-known feature of Google is that students and teachers can create their own customised search engines. Simply input a pre-approved [...]
10th May 2016
Useful dates for teachers: Google calendar / widget
Google Calendar for Teachers I have put together a calendar of annual commemorative dates and celebrations which teachers might find useful to help them [...]
10th May 2016
Gamification of Revision: Snooker and Battleships
7th May 2016
10 creative approaches for developing essay-writing skills
13th April 2016
Use this ‘audience soundboard’ for your classroom debates/discussions!
I have recently coded an online ‘audience soundboard‘ for use in classroom debates and discussions. If you have any requests for particular [...]
19th March 2016
Generate a self-marking crossword for revision
I have recently programmed a brand-new online tool which allows teachers and students to create interactive crossword quizzes that can be embedded on your [...]
19th March 2016
Spotting cross-curricular links with a whole-school ‘speed-dating’ event
Overview An effective way to spot links between curriculum areas is a staff meeting arranged as a cross-curricular speed dating event lasting for as little [...]
18th March 2016
Using the ‘Battleships’ format to Teach Historical Interpretations
Overview: “Interpretation Battleships!” This activity is a development of the matrix exercise, designed to make it both more sophisticated and [...]
3rd February 2016
Share (and track!) student video projects with QR codes
In terms of homework projects I am very much a convert to allowing students whenever possible to choose their own outcomes, with my role being merely to [...]
19th January 2016
Use the “Triangle 9” template for prioritising factors
The use of Diamond Templates is very effective to help students summarise and prioritise key factors when answering a question. However, they have a lot of [...]
14th January 2016
Creative approaches for using maps in the history classroom
11th January 2016
Make a ‘TripAdvisor’ graphic to revise impact in various places
Overview: With full credit to Kate 🙂 To revise the impact of a particular period or individual upon particular places over time, students could produce [...]
26th December 2015
Dream Sources: start with: “What sources can help us answer this question?”
Overview In the modern history classroom, the use of source material is central to the investigative process. Students are encouraged to interrogate [...]
26th December 2015
Visual essay-writing: cartoons, sticky-notes and plenty of collaboration!
To develop analytical and essay-writing skills in a collaborative and engaging manner, start by gathering a series of photographs relating to the topic in [...]
17th December 2015
Use a ‘Banned Word List’ to encourage deeper thinking
Overview As a history teacher there are certain words and phrases which make me wince when I see them being used by examination students. I therefore use [...]
16th December 2015
Using “The Apprentice” format for group projects
I have produced a comprehensive set of instructions and resources which enables teachers to adapt the format of the TV show “The Apprentice” to [...]
12th December 2015
“Design a DVD Inlay”
29th November 2015
Compare first paragraph of several books to analyse stylistic techniques
Overview The art of writing a good introduction to an essay is something which students need to regularly reflect on. I encourage students to ensure that [...]
29th November 2015
Share all possible test questions in advance to encourage focused revision
Sharing a long list of possible questions with students in advance of a test in exam conditions is a simple way of ensuring their revision and reflection [...]
29th November 2015