Institute of Education

We had some lovely visitors in the Institute of Education’s, London Road Campus, Learning Hub on Thursday 12^th November, which was very kindly sponsored by the Specialkidz educational & social enterprise charity. Some furry (and non-furry!) friends from Guide Dogs came to raise awareness of mobility services for people who are blind or partially sighted in the UK.

Also, we hoped that it would support well-being throughout the University of Reading and the date was specifically chosen as it was a key time in the academic year; some students were handing in assignments, which can be stressful. Hopefully the Guide Dogs would relieve the stress that some students might encounter when completing course work. The feedback certainly seemed to suggest the session helped.

Karen Goulding, Director of The Learning Hub conducted a small research survey; students who were handing in their assignments were asked to complete a very short feedback sheet before and after they entered The Hub. The results were interesting; before entering the event most students were excited or happy but one was nervous and three were scared, this could have been for a variety of reasons. The same students, upon leaving felt thoughtful, excited but mostly happy; none were scared or nervous.

Karen Goulding, Director of The Learning Hub response was, “All the hard work and organisation was worth the effort to see so many happy faces on a day that is sometimes rather stressful and it would be interesting to complete the same short survey to see what the results would be on another assignment hand in, but without the presence of the Guide Dogs, I think they made a wonderful difference to general wellbeing, which is such a relevant topic at the moment.”

Throughout the event Institute of Education staff, students and visitors played with the dogs, talked to their trainers and owners and took part in activities to learn more about what it is like to be blind or visually impaired.

Dr Cathy Tissot Head of the Institute of Education said, “What a great opportunity for our students to meet the Guide Dogs and individuals that work with, and are supported by them.  It really gave students and staff the chance to have a limited experience of visual impairment and speak with those affected by it.  What a wonderful day and we hope to be able to invite the Guide Dogs back next year.”

The response and feedback arising from the event was amazing. One member of staff wrote: “This has been, without any doubt, absolutely the best morning at work ever – the dogs were beautiful, their owners/trainers really interesting and the visually-impaired activities a revelation. Thank you so much for organising this – please can this become a regular event? Do you want any volunteers?!”

Ken Carter who is the Chair & founded Specialkidz , was delighted to be involved in sponsoring this highly successful educational awareness event on a university campus of learning; and was really pleased that so many students and staff came along to support “Guide Dogs” and also learn something about the work of Specialkidz” .

The next day, Robert Macleay from Guide Dogs emailed with wonderful news; “Feedback from staff and volunteers has been great. They all really enjoyed the morning and said everyone was very welcoming. The students were very engaging and wanted to ask questions rather than just meet the dogs, which was fantastic! All in all the day will have raised around £650, from donations, which is excellent.”

It was a fabulous day, enjoyed by all who came. We hope to see the Guide Dogs team back on campus again soon!

Sensations! is the culmination of a nine week musical collaboration between our fantastic BA Ed (Music) students and Younger People with Dementia. Created by Turtle Key Arts, Sensations! is a sharing performance for “Turtle Song”, a concept created by Turtle Key Arts to bring music, movement and singing to people with dementia.

Turtle Song encourages artistic and social interaction, a positive outlook through an enjoyable and shared activity and gives the brain and body a bit of stimulating exercise. It also helps to enhance the professional development of the music students who take part in the project.

Alice Breary, one of our BA Ed (Music) cohort, who participated in the scheme said: “When the idea of the project was first put to us, I was unsure if it was something I wanted to do- a close family friend of ours has been a sufferer so it was very close to home but I am so glad that I have been involved: seeing everyone coming out of themselves through music has been such a touching and rewarding experience and I think the benefits of this project are very obvious when you see the performances!” 

Everyone involved in this fulfilling and entertaining project met once a week for ten weeks, and with the help of our music students, wrote lyrics and composed music for their own song cycle, ending in this live performance for friends and family on 4^th December in our Great Hall.

Since the first Turtle Song at the Royal College of Music, London in 2008 it has been introduced in Cambridge, Wolverhampton, Dulwich, Suffolk, Oxford, Stockton-on-Tees, Leeds, Norwich, Croydon, Reading and Newbury; there are now on average three held each year. Read more at turtlekeyarts.org.uk.

On a beautiful autumnal Saturday in November, the British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics (BSRLM) hosted its international conference among the lovely surrounds of the Institute of Education’s beautiful campus and cloisters. The 7th November conference proved a great success, with over 100 delegates travelling from universities in the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge and UCL London and abroad (Japan, Turkey and Portugal).

In his role as the executive member and conference organiser of the BSRLM, Dr. Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai (Vince) is a strong advocate of the great value in hosting national and international conferences here at the IoE.

Referring to the recent BSRLM conference, Vince said: “We were able to foster professional networking between members of our mathematics education research community here at the IoE (both staff and postgraduate students) with key authorities in the field. We were also able to showcase some of our community’s research projects through presentations given by a number of our members of staff and to help increase the visibility of our research community at national and international levels.

“From our BSRLM database, Catherine Foley’s doctoral research presentation on girls’ perception of mathematics, for example, was the most popular at the conference in terms of having the highest number of big names in the field offering to convene her session. Finally, as the conference was hosted here locally, it was much more affordable for our staff and students to attend this type of academic event”.

Visit the BSRLM site for further information about their work.

The IoE and the Principal of the prestigious British School of Kuwait, Paul Shropshire are giving free sessions on how to live and teach overseas. Paul’s perspective is unique and thought-provoking.

The presentation relates to both Primary and Secondary teaching and asks: what are School leaders looking for in an application and at interview? What do International schools have to offer?  What’s involved in doing your NQT year internationally?

3 Dec 12.45 & 5.30pm; London Road campus, building L24, room G06

Come – and bring your lunch if you like!
http://www.bsk.edu.kw

Our new MA Education (Leadership & Management) in conjunction with Henley Business School is an excellent career opportunity for you. It is a flexible 36 months programme aimed at educational leaders, future leaders and administrators. It follows the summer school model, ideal for working professionals.

It will lead to an MA in Education (Leadership and Management), with exit qualifications of Postgraduate Certificate (Stage 1) and Postgraduate Diploma (Stage 2). A unique feature of the course is that students will benefit from modules on strategic marketing and finance delivered by experts from Henley Business School.

Visit the programme page here or see the brochure here: IoE MA Henley. The brochure may well be of interest to you and others at your institution – print one for your notice board! Do let us know if you’d like to find out more about this MA by emailing ioe-ma@reading.ac.uk or phoning +44 (0) 118 378 2616.

If you went down to our campus last week, you’d have been sure of a big surprise. For there in the cloisters were many of our students, clustered in tangled heaps.

The IoE’s Dr Helen Bilton approaches Welcome Week with her unique blend of enthusiasm and creativity. This year saw the students playing physical games that helped them to let their guard down and feel part of things straight away. Helen said:  “When you play daft games you also just hopefully show a true side of yourself!”

Helen, a National Teaching Fellow and Associate Professor of Education at the IoE explained further:

“Welcome Week is about creating a sense of belonging with our University- hence the title. Research shows where people feel a sense of belonging they feel a lot happier. So team games were devised for all departments in the University to join in with on the Friday.

“The games helped students to have fun whilst feeling part of our “Team IoE”. They also got to know each other across programmes – really rather well, as the pictures demonstrate. We hope it gave them a laugh and a good feel about the IoE,” she concluded.

Come and explore our beautiful campus, meet students and lecturers from all our courses, see our accommodation and enjoy talks and taster lectures. We enjoyed amazing Open Days in June and October, from which feedback was fantastic. Watch our Open Day film to get a taste of what’s in store for you on an Open Day at the University of Reading…. and here’s what people had to say about our Open Days:

‘I chose to study at the University of Reading because of the beautiful campus, supportive atmosphere and high academic standards. When I came to an open day I met a student ambassador who not only inspired me to come to the University but also made me want to become an ambassador myself!’

‘We had a wonderful day… All staff and student ambassadors we came into contact with were so friendly and helpful. Instantly my daughter felt comfortable and could see herself fitting in … As a family we loved Reading and our daughter will most definitely be applying. Thanks to all for a great day!’

‘An absolutely incredible open day!’

‘I felt that the overall day was amazing. I was so happy with everything that Reading had to offer. My family and I felt very welcomed by the students and the staff.’

‘I was thoroughly impressed… I went away from the open day having had a fantastic time and loved the atmosphere of the whole campus.’

‘I’m sold. This made Reading my first choice’

Got any questions?

Get in touch via email opendays@reading.ac.uk

Can’t attend an Open Day?

If you’d like to visit us before the next Open Day, or if you have visited before and just want to refresh your memory of what our beautiful campus has to offer, we’d love to welcome you to one of our campus tours.

BE THE FIRST TO HEAR WHEN YOU CAN REGISTER

To register your interest in attending an open day in 2016, please click here

NB: All of the undergraduate courses for the Institute of Education are based at the London Road campus.

Remember to follow the IoE for updates and news:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ioereading
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UniRdg_IoE
Web: http://www.reading.ac.uk/education/

And wear comfy shoes on the Open Day 🙂

One of the longest running and most acrimonious debates in education is over whether or not the number of pupils in a class affects learning. Renowned Professor of Psychology and Education, Peter Blatchford will discuss this divisive subject during the IoE’s next event in its Public Lecture calendar on 1st December 2015.

Professor Blatchford, of the Institute of Education, University of London, has authored over 12 books and has published over 80 peer reviewed Journal papers. His evidence and views on such a polarised subject are keenly anticipated and all are invited to attend this fascinating study of classroom dynamics. The lecture, on 1st December 2015, takes place at the IoE’s London Road Campus in Building L22 G01 (Lecture Theatre). Doors open 17.45 and the lecture commences at 18.15.

Click here for further information and to book a place fill this form: 

All University of Reading students were invited to explore their creative side by entering the annual Raymond Wilson Poetry Prize. The competition is held in memory of brilliant educationalist Raymond Wilson (1925-1995), former Emeritus Professor of Education at the University. The competition, which has now closed to further entries this year, carries a prize of £200 for the best poem for children.

The competition is being judged by children in a local school and their vote carries equal weighting with that of a published children’s poet and with an academic; competition organiser, Stephanie Sharp of the IoE. This brings the perspectives of teacher, writer and young reader to bear on the judging.

The closing date for entries fell on National Poetry Day on 8th October 2015, with the winner being announced on 2nd November.

Raymond Wilson was an exceptional educationalist, as well as an inspired educational editor who introduced new editions of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poetry and Jane Austen’s novels. Wilson was also well-known as an intuitive, sensitive critic and a prolific anthologist.

Queries about any aspect of the competition can be addressed to Stephanie Sharp: s.sharp@reading.ac.uk (ext 2675). Competition rules are below.

Sessions will include:
• Creating a joined up KS2-3 curriculum for languages
• Developing core oral skills, including accurate pronunciation and spontaneous oral interaction
• Literacy skills in the foreign language –including reading for comprehension, appreciation and vocabulary development
• Developing grammatical competence across Key Stage 2 and 3
• Developing learners’ listening skills
• Assessment
• Primary-secondary transition

Session 1:
Whole day, Friday 9 October, 09.30-15.30, Institute of Education:

The new National Curriculum across Key Stages 2-3 and principles of effective teaching and learning; developing learners’ listening skills; assessment and evaluation; transition issues
Further details of subsequent sessions can be found on the right
As well as gaining a wealth of practical ideas, participants on the programme will also enhance their understanding of the principles that underpin effective language learning.

Twilight Sessions – All held at the University of Reading, Institute of Education, London Road Campus

• Session 2 (Speaking): Wednesday 4 November 2015, 16.30-18.30
• Session 3 (Speaking): Thursday 3 December 2015, 16.30-18.30
• Session 4 (Reading): Wednesday 13 January 2016, 16.30-18.30,
• Session 5 (Reading/writing): Thursday 4 February 2016,16.30-18.30,
• Session 6 (Grammar/writing): Wednesday 2 March 2016, 16.30-18.30,

Session 7 (Sharing practice; transition): Half day, Wednesday 23 March, 13.30-16.30

If you are unable to attend the first whole day session, you will still be very welcome to come to the twilights. We also welcome different teachers from the same school for different sessions, i.e. attendance can be ‘shared’ within a school, so that ideas can be cascaded across colleagues.
Additional French language tuition will be offered on the following dates for primary teachers, with all sessions held at the University. There will be two levels of classes, one for beginners with little or no knowledge of French, one for ‘improvers’ or Intermediate learners

Beginners
Intermediate/Improvers:

Tuesday 20 October, 17.00-19.00
Tuesday 24 November, 17.00-19.00
Tuesday 8 December, 17.00-19.00
Tuesday 19 January, 17.00-19.00
Tuesday mid-February, 17.00-19.00 (date TBC)

Intermediate/Improvers

Thursday 22 October, 17.00-19.00
Thursday 26 November, 17.00-19.00
Thursday 10 December, 17.00-19.00
Thursday 21 January, 17.00-19.00
Thursday mid-February, 17.00-19.00 (date TBC)

We will pay for one day’s supply cover for teachers who attend the first and last event plus some twilight sessions, with schools asked to fund the remaining half-day. There are no further costs for the CPD. Further details will be emailed out with joining instructions before the first event.
For further information about any aspect of the CPD, please contact: education-events@reading.ac.uk or phone 0118 378 2612
This CPD is being delivered as a consortium led by the University of Reading and involves the following partners:

• Bartholomew School, Eynsham
• Fair Oak Junior School
• Keep Hatch Primary School
• Oxford University Department of Education
• Radstock Primary School
• The Willink School, Burghfield Common
• Wellington College Teaching School Partnership
• Wokingham Secondary Federation