Practical Teaching Tips with Richard James Rogers
A podcast offering practical teaching tips and classroom advice for teachers at all career stages. It is hosted by Richard James Rogers, a high school science teacher and author of the award-winning book The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All High School Teachers Need to Know. Episodes focus on hands-on strategies for managing behaviour, engaging students and improving everyday classroom practice. The advice is aimed mainly at secondary school teachers looking for simple, actionable ideas they can apply straight away.
Episodes
#150: How to Make Your Lessons More Exciting
The number one question I get asked is "How do I make my lessons more exciting?". In today's episode, I break down the fine details of what it takes to bring excitement into your lessons: things I've learned from being a front-line teacher for just over twenty years. Book me for teacher training at https://richardjamesrogers.com/professional-development/Check out my award-winning
#149: Preparing For The New Academic Year
The new school year is almost upon us. It is important to be well-prepared. Find out how to get ready in today's podcast episode.My blog: https://richardjamesrogers.com/blog-index/My award-winning book, The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All High School Teachers Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Guide-Classroom-Management-Teachers-dp-B08VCQPF2L/dp/B08VCQPF2L/#tea
#148: From Inspiration to Investigation: The Jason Arday Scandal Shaking Cambridge
The recent controversy surrounding Jason Arday and his resignation from the University of Cambridge offers many important lessons for students and teachers alike.Nathan Cofnas' Substack: https://substack.com/@nathancofnasMy website: https://richardjamesrogers.com/My books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Richard-James-Rogers/author/B017OVU06Q#jasonarday #plagiarismrow #nathancofnas
#147: The Importance of Vigilance in Teaching
'Vigilance' has become somewhat of a forgotten word in education. Today, I aim to rekindle everyone's interest in the subject of vigilance, and how it should be applied in an educational setting. Check out my blog at https://richardjamesrogers.com/Blog Post: The Importance of Vigilance in Teaching: https://richardjamesrogers.com/2026/04/18/the-importance-of-vigilance-in-teaching/Blog p
#146: Tips for Showcasing Student Work and the Famous WAGOLL
Showcasing student work is a powerful technique for raising standards, empowering learners, and creating a positive school ethos where a culture of celebrating student achievement become well-embedded. In todays episode, I explain how to showcase student work correctly.My blog for teachers can be found at: https://richardjamesrogers.com/Check out my award-winning book, The Quick Guide to Classroom
#145: Back to Basics: Things to Think About When Setting Cover Work
The time has come for you to miss a day or two, or more, of school. Maybe you are suddenly sick (it happens to all of us), maybe you’re on long-term leave, maybe you have a training workshop to attend, or maybe you have another legitimate reason to take time off school.What happens next could make or break your career at your school. That’s right – I did just say that. Poorly considered cover work
#144: What Will Teaching Look Like in 2026 and Beyond?
There are many changes coming to the teaching profession, and in this podcast episode I break them all down!My LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjamesrogers/My website: https://richardjamesrogers.com/
#143: What SLT Really Notice About Their Teachers
The Senior Leadership Team at any school have the job of managing a wide-variety of school operations. Often, as educators, we can be anxious about what this group of senior teachers notice on a daily basis, and the behaviours we should adopt, and avoid. Check out my blog for teachers at richardjamesrogers.comMy award-winning book, The Quick Guide to Classroom Management, is available here: https:
#142: Old School Methods Are Making a Comeback
Traditional teaching techniques, such as cut-and-stick, retrieval practice, handwritten note-taking and many more are seeing a resurgence in popularity as the the dark days of EdTech overreach in the Covid times become a distant, yet haunting, memory. Check out my blog for teachers at https://richardjamesrogers.com/My 1st book, The Quick Guide to Classroom Management (winner of the Readers' Fa
#141: Back to Basics: How to Start a Lesson Properly
The way a lesson begins determines the effectiveness of everything that has been planned. Start the lesson poorly, and watch sub-optimal learning take place later in the lesson. Start effectively, and you'll prime your students for deep, meaningful learning. | A podcast by Richard James Rogers, award-winning author and educator.Check out my blog for teachers at https://richardjamesrogers.com/C
#140: ChatGPT5 and Beyond: My Top 3 GenAI Apps for Teachers in 2025
We’ve all been swept up by the hype that has come in the wake of the creation of generative AI (aka GenAI) systems. Back in 2023, when ChatGPT was launched, its capability was limited to text generation, spell checking and rudimentary admin work. Now, however, the form factors of GenAI come in so many shapes and sizes. People are using AI to create slide presentations, images and videos, to record
#139: The Truth About Doing Group Projects With High School Students
As teachers, we're often drawn to the idea of incorporating group work and group projects into our lessons. After all, when done well, collaborative tasks can boost learning, enhance retention, and strengthen peer relationships. But here's the catch: group work only works when it's structured properly. In today's podcast episode, I reveal the cold, hard truth about what many teache
#138: Does the Gender Gap in Education Really Exist?
As a teacher who’s worked with students across a range of schools and contexts, I often hear colleagues say, “The gender gap? Isn’t that old news?” At first glance, that might seem fair. After all, in many parts of the world, girls are now outperforming boys academically. But when you take a closer look, a much more complex picture emerges.Check out all four of my books for teachers at https://www
#137: How to Discuss War and Conflict with High School Students
In this episode, I share practical strategies for discussing war and conflict with high school students, especially in light of current global events such as the escalating situation involving Iran. Drawing on my experience as a teacher and author, I explore how to answer sensitive questions, maintain professional distance, and create a safe space for respectful dialogue. Whether you teach history
#136: Equity vs Equality in Education: What I’ve Learned from the Front Lines
Like many early-career educators, I believed that equality, which means giving all students the same tasks, the same resources, and the same deadlines, was the fairest way to teach. However, time and experience taught me that equity, not equality, is what truly transforms learning. It involves giving each student what they need to succeed. Sometimes that means providing different forms of support
#135: Using Generative AI as a Teaching Assistant
I’ll admit it: I was skeptical at first. When I first heard about teachers using AI like ChatGPT to help in the classroom, I imagined some robotic voice taking over my lessons while I stood awkwardly in the corner. But after giving it a try for a while, I can honestly say this: Generative AI has become one of my most useful classroom assistants, and I don’t even need to buy it coffee.This episode
#134: 10 Tips to Help High School Students Achieve High Performance
Success in high school is not just about hard work: it’s about working smart, using proven strategies that boost learning, memory, and motivation. In today's episode I describe 10 powerful tips, distilled from years of classroom experience and research-backed methods, to help students achieve their full potential.This episode is accompanied by a blog post at https://richardjamesrogers.com/2025
#133: AI Dolls and Adolescence: My Take on Things
In today's podcast I dive deep into two recent viral trends: AI dolls (a.k.a. the 'Barbie Box' trend) and the Netflix mini-series, Adolescence. I describe what teachers can take from these issues, and how teachers can use AI to their advantage in 2025 and beyond. Blog post: AI Dolls and Digital Desks: High School Teaching in 2025Blog post: Adolescence: What Netflix’s Latest Drama Teach
#132: How Interleaving Works: Universal Strategies for Secondary School Classroom Practice
In my twenty years of teaching, I’ve come across numerous pedagogical techniques designed to boost student learning, but few have been as transformative as interleaving. This technique, backed by cognitive science, has the power to enhance long-term retention and application of knowledge: yet it remains underutilised in many secondary school classrooms. Today, I want to explore generalisable rules
#131: Responding Thoughtfully When Students Ask About Controversial Topics: The Example of Bonnie Blue
When students unexpectedly bring up sensitive or controversial topics in class—such as questions about Bonnie Blue (a British adult content creator who recently became wildly infamous due to provocative activities and public notoriety), or other ignominious public figures, such as Andrew Tate—teachers may feel unprepared. How should we respond when children ask about such material?Check out my blo
#130: Starting Out as an SLT Member: What I Learned from the Experts
Stepping into a senior leadership team (SLT) role for the first time can be both exhilarating and daunting. Recently, I was appointed as the Acting Head of Secondary at an international school in Thailand, and to gain deeper insights into the role, I reached out to SLT members in other schools for their best advice. Their responses provided me with invaluable lessons that I am now applying in my l
#129: Building a Thriving School Community – Practical Tips for Teachers & Leaders
Joining the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) has given me a fresh perspective on the many interconnected elements that shape a positive school community. In this episode, I share key insights and practical strategies for teachers, middle managers, SLT members, and other stakeholders to collaborate effectively and foster a strong sense of belonging among students. Whether you're looking to strength
#128: The One Piece of Advice I Would Give to a Trainee Teacher
Imagine mentoring a trainee teacher who’s eager to become the best educator they can be but feels unsure of where to start. If you could offer just ONE piece of advice to guide them, what would it be? Tune in today to hear my perspective on this important question!
Check out my award-winning book for teachers - The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All High School Teachers Nee
#127: How I Use SEL in My High School Lessons (And How You Can Too!)
In my classroom, SEL forms an integral part of each lesson’s structure and delivery, and today I’m sharing ten practical ways you can integrate it into your teaching too!
Check out my blog for teachers, containing hundreds of useful posts, at https://richardjamesrogers.com/
The Quick Guide to Classroom Management (my bestselling book): https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Guide-Classroom-Management-Tea
#126: How to Effectively Source and Organise Resources as a Teacher
One massive part of the work we do as teachers is the finding, storing and organising of resources for use in our lessons. These could be worksheets, slides, exam papers, tools to help with reporting, learning games, and a whole array other valuable items. It takes a while, however, for teachers to learn how to manage all of this in a way that is efficient - so that precious time is not wasted re-
#125: How to Handle Awkward Conversations with Your Teaching Colleagues
From time to time you may find yourself in a situation in which you must have a delicate conversation with one, or more, of your teaching colleagues. Sometimes this can happen when you least expect it, and a colleague chooses to divulge something (or rant) to you. Sometimes such conversations arise due to a cascade of unavoidable (and, sometimes, avoidable) events. How do we navigate such conversa
#124: Introducing the Basic Lesson Structure (BLS)
Is it possible to apply a consistent structure to every lesson we teach, whilst still retaining our creative freedom as teachers? I believe so. That's why I've created the Basic Lesson Structure (BLS), which can be applied to any lesson, at any level.
Check out my award-winning book, The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All High School Teachers Need to Know, here: https://ww
#123: 10 Rookie Blunders New High School Teachers Make (and How to Avoid Them!)
Starting your teaching career is an exciting adventure, but it can also feel overwhelming. When I first starting teaching high school science back in 2005, for example, I soon found myself struggling to succeed at (what I see today as) basic tasks, such as marking, lesson planning and managing behaviour. So many aspects of the job were completely new to me, despite the limited teaching experience
#122: What is Dual Coding?
As educators, we’re always on the lookout for strategies that can enhance our students’ understanding and retention of information. One such strategy that has gained significant attention in recent years is dual coding. But what exactly is dual coding, and how can it be applied in our classrooms to make a tangible difference? Drawing from my own experiences since I started teaching Science and Mat
#121: Maintaining Professional Distance as a High School Teacher - Ten Essential Guidelines
As teachers, we often form strong connections with our students as we guide them on their learning journeys. This can be incredibly rewarding for us – we gain much joy from helping our students to improve. However, it’s essential to maintain a professional distance to ensure that our relationships with students remain appropriate and conducive to learning. The ten guidelines explored in this episo
#120: Three Ways to Boost Your Classroom Confidence as a Teacher
Demonstrating confidence in the classroom is the cornerstone of any effective lesson you will deliver. When we, as teachers, are confident, then that naturally builds a sense of confidence that the students will have in our abilities. Our lessons are also more engaging, more organized and more effective when we are confident. In today's episode I describe three ways in which we, as teachers, c
#119: Is it Acceptable for Teachers to Use Dating Apps?
Is it acceptable for a teacher to have a dating profile? After all, recent statistics by the Pew Research Centre found that in 2023, 53% of singles who were actively seeking relationships had some kind of online dating profile. What is acceptable conduct when it comes to dating app usage by teachers? How can we, as teachers, protect ourselves from unwanted attention and complaints when using datin
#118: The 7 Golden Rules of Communication for Online Meetings
Even as far back as 2020, during the height of the pandemic, research was being conducted on the effectiveness of video conferencing in education, and some such research concluded that online meetings would remain popular long-after the pandemic was over. My personal experiences have certainly mirrored these predictions – tutoring has moved mostly online, online meetings are still being used by ma
#117: The Top Five Mistakes That Trainee High School Teachers Are Making
Anyone who is new to the teaching profession is bound to make mistakes. There’s so much to learn and so much is at stake: the future careers of young people are literally in your hands. The pressure can be overwhelming at times, and this can cause trainees to panic. Relax! This podcast episode was made for you!
This podcast episode is accompanied by a blog post: https://richardjamesrogers.com/2
#116: Strategies for Engaging Quiet, Shy and Withdrawn Students
Students who are quiet in class are often the ones who are most overlooked by educators. They tend to be compliant; they rarely (if ever) ask questions; they turn in their homework on time and generally just get on with things. One could be forgiven for thinking of such learners as the ‘perfect’ students. This is, however, quite a narrowly focused viewpoint and stance to take. Such students may b
#115: Tackling Bullying in High Schools - Strategies for Teachers and School Leaders to Consider
Bullying continues to be an issue for so many schools. A simple Google search reveals daily news stories of student violence and incidents of extreme intimidation happening in countries all over the world. In today's podcast episode, I describe some simple and effective ways that schools can proactively tackle bullying, as well as prevent it from happening in the first place.
Check out my
#114: What is Scrum and How Can it be Used in High Schools?
As a newly designated Certified ScrumMaster®, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share my newly acquired knowledge with my listeners - with a particular emphasis on how Scrum can be utilised in the high school classroom, and when managing teams of high school teachers. Scrum is a hugely popular Agile Project Management technique that is most commonly associated with boardrooms, not classr
#113: How to Handle Frustration as a Teacher
Teacher stress levels are at an all-time high globally, and things seem set to get worse as teacher shortages show no sign of receding. Whether it's a behaviour management issue we must deal with, an inflammatory email to digest, or a conflict with a colleague to resolve; we MUST always respond professionally - and that rule applies to any situation that causes us frustration. In today's p
#112: Online Tutoring - A Lucrative Side-Hustle for Teachers in The Post-COVID Era
Teachers have been earning extra cash on the side from private tutoring for centuries. What's new in this space, however, is how widely accepted online tutoring has become post-COVID. In today's episode, I'll explain why online tutoring can be more favorable than face-to-face tutoring for teachers, as well as some top tips on how to get it right every time!
Check out my blog for tea
#111: Kahoot Encourages Apathy (Apparently!)
Do you believe that Kahoot "lacks purpose" and encourages "apathy"? What about other live quiz apps - do they still have place in the post-pandemic classroom? Listen to my thoughts on this issue in today's episode.
Accompanying blog post [5 Awesome Live Quiz Apps You Can Use in The Classroom]: https://richardjamesrogers.com/2022/02/22/5-awesome-live-quiz-apps-you-can-use
#110: Tips for Enabling High-Quality Student-Led Presentations in Your Classroom
Public speaking and presentation skills are already in high demand in the workplace, and this demand seems set to increase as we enter 2024 and beyond as soft skills (irreplaceable by AI) become harder to acquire in the workforce. When our students present their research findings or knowledge to the class, they develop and enrich their understanding and they acquire key skills along the way.
C
#109: How to Improve Your Efficiency When Marking Work by Hand
Sometimes we cannot use peer or self-assessment methods to provide feedback, and we must mark our students' work the old-fashioned way: by hand. This is particularly true for high-stakes assessments, such as end-of-year tests. In today's podcast episode I explore seven ways in which we, as teachers, can improve our efficiency when marking work by hand.
Check out my blog for teachers at
#108: Introducing The P.O.W.E.R. Method of Retrieval Practice
Unless you’ve been hiding in cave for the past five years, it’s highly likely that you have heard the phrase ‘retrieval practice’ being bandied about multiple times at educational seminars, Professional Development workshops and even in the departmental meetings you’ve attended at school. It’s one of those areas of pedagogy that has gotten educators excited due it’s evidence-based effectiveness,
#107: How to Maintain Your Energy Levels as a Teacher
In the classroom, we are expected to be entertainers, facilitators and imparters of knowledge. This requires high amounts of energy on our part, every single day. Maintaining energy levels is no easy task for a teacher - it involves dealing with challenges outside of school, along with the facing the obstacles that present themselves inside the classroom. Being a high-energy teacher requires a who
#106: What Is Design Thinking, and How Can It Be Used in Classroom Teaching?
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, traditional teaching methods are being reshaped by innovative approaches that prioritize creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. One such methodology gaining traction is Design Thinking. Originally conceived in the realm of product design, Design Thinking has found its way into education, offering a dynamic framework for educators to foster
#105: Assessment For, As & Of Learning: A Guide for Teachers
As we embark on our noble journey of shaping young minds and fostering a love for learning, it's crucial to navigate the realm of assessments with a clear understanding of the three fundamental pillars: Assessment for Learning (AFL), Assessment of Learning (AOL), and Assessment as Learning (AAL). These three components not only guide our teaching practices but also play a pivotal role in stude
#104: Mistakes Teachers Are Making With Slide Presentations
Slides are here to stay – that’s undeniable, so let’s discover the common mistakes teachers are making when utilizing them (note to listener – I have made ALL of the mistakes I’m about to mention at some point or another in my career, so I’m a real expert on this topic!).
This episode is accompanied by a blog post at https://richardjamesrogers.com/2023/11/05/5-mistakes-teachers-are-making-when-
#103: Spooktacular Fun - 10 Halloween Activity Ideas for High School Teachers
Boo! Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s time to bring some spooktacular fun into your high school classroom. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a fresh-faced teacher, these ten Halloween activity ideas will help you create memorable, engaging, and educational experiences for your students. So, put on your witch’s hat, grab a handful of candy corn, and let’s get started!
Check out
#102: How to Provide Feedback on Tests and Assessments
Tests and assessments provide students with great opportunities to acquire useful practice and training for the final exams. In today's episode, I will describe some ways in which teachers can provide high-quality feedback on exam-style questions.
Check out my blog for teachers: https://richardjamesrogers.com/
Check out my award-winning book for high-school teachers: The Quick Guide to Cl
#101: On Inquiry-Based Learning
Inquiry-based learning offers a dynamic and engaging educational approach that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of subject matter. By encouraging students to actively explore topics, formulate questions, and seek answers through investigation, this methodology promotes a sense of curiosity and ownership over the learning process. Through inquiry, student
#100: Top Teaching Tips From a Veteran Educator
In today's episode I break down a great article from veteran educator, Suzanne Capek Tingley, which covers the essentials of effective classroom practice.
Original article by Suzanne Capek Tingley: https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/8-essential-teaching-tips-someone-who-has-seen-it-all1901.html
Check out my blog for educators at https://richardjamesrogers.com/
#99: What Does Being a 'Role Model' Mean When You're a Teacher?
As teachers, we play a pivotal and crucial role in the shaping of young minds. This means that we are, in fact, role models for young people. Whilst that concept may seem old-fashioned, it is actually more crucial now, in these times of great flux, than ever before in history.
Check out my blog for teachers at https://richardjamesrogers.com/
How Should Teachers Behave on Social Media [Blog Pos
#98: Ways to Help Students Who Are Living in Poverty
The statistics on child poverty are alarming, and it's highly likely that you are teaching several children (at least) who are financially disadvantaged. In Australia, 1 in 6 children live in poverty, whilst in the US and UK that ratio climbs to 1 in 5 and 1 in 4, respectively. Globally, 1.2 billion children live in poverty, and access to education is often a key factor in helping children esc
#97: What is Genius Hour?
Have you ever wished there was a way to ignite your students’ passion for learning, encourage creativity, and foster independent thinking, all while adhering to the curriculum? Well, look no further than “Genius Hour”! In this episode, we’ll dive deep into what Genius Hour is and explore how it can be applied to high school (and lower school) teaching to create a dynamic and engaging learning envi
#96: A Teacher’s Summer Vacation - Making the Most of Our Time Away from the Classroom
As we bid farewell to the hustle and bustle of the academic year, we find ourselves at the threshold of a much-needed break: the glorious summer vacation. While some might envision teachers lounging on sandy beaches, sipping fruity drinks, and enjoying endless relaxation, the reality is that our time off is much more precious than that. As a current teacher myself, I understand the importance of
#95: Staff Parties Are Not For Partying
Be careful about how you behave at staff gatherings and parties. It can be really tempting to let your hair down, especially at the start or end of an academic year, but you must remember that your colleagues and
managers are secretly watching you (and judging you) when you’re chucking down those pints, shots and bottles of whichever beverage it is that you like. Know your limitations and err on t
#94: Instagram Threads and 'Furries': Tips for Teachers
In today's episode I discuss two very popular topics that are getting a lot of press at the moment: Instagram Threads and children who identify as 'furries' (animals). It's important for teachers to know how Threads could potentially be used to support teaching and learning, as it could (potentially) become a more child-friendly, tamer and 'safer' social media application t
#93: Tried and Tested Ways to Support EAL, ELD and ESL Students in the Classroom
In today's episode I describe the best techniques I have used to engage students who do not have English as their first language. Gleaned from over 15 years of teaching ELD students subjects as diverse as Maths, Science, English and German, these tips are actionable and impactful. | Practical Teaching Tips by award-winning author, Richard James Rogers.
Check out my award-winning book for te
#92: The Story of Mr Huggins
Mr Huggins, a History teacher with over 30 years of experience, was asked by the Head of Science at Retford Oaks Academy in the UK to cover a lesson on puberty. What happened next was a nightmarish ordeal that would involve him being investigated by the local authority safeguarding body and the DBS. Listen carefully to this episode if you want to learn some important lessons from Mr Huggins' s
#91: 10 Ways to Apply Rosenshine’s Principles to Your Lessons
As a teacher, it’s important to have a solid understanding of the principles that underpin effective instruction. One set of principles that has gained widespread recognition is the set proposed by Barak Rosenshine, a former professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In this podcast episode I describe ten ways we can apply Rosenshine’s principles to our
#90: 8 Ways to Increase Lesson Clarity
Our lessons need to be clear in order for students to understand the subject content they are expected to learn. This is particularly important for older students who are preparing for exams, and who are therefore expected to memorize, understand and apply vast amounts of information. In today's episode I describe eight ways in which we, as teachers, can increase the clarity of the content we
#89: 3 Tips For Reducing Your Workload as a Teacher
Teacher workload is a significant issue in the education industry. The workload of teachers can be overwhelming, leading to burnout, job dissatisfaction, and ultimately, lower student outcomes. With a growing emphasis on outcome-driven education, teachers are under more pressure than ever to perform at their best. Oftentimes, however, we are creating work for ourselves through inefficiency - e.g.
#88: Stress Management Techniques for Online Teachers in 2023
Being an online teacher can be both rewarding and challenging. While it offers the flexibility of working from home and a broader reach to students worldwide, it also comes with its own set of stress factors. In 2023, as the world continues to digitize, the number of online teachers will likely increase, and so will the pressure to excel. In this podcast episode, we will look at some stress manage
#87: The Rise of Private Tutoring: Why IB Teachers in Hong Kong are Making the Switch
Private tutoring is on the rise globally, with a particular surge in Hong Kong. According to a report by Statista, the private tutoring market in Hong Kong was estimated to be worth HK$ 25 billion (US$ 3.2 billion) in 2021. The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is particularly popular in Hong Kong, and many teachers are switching to private tutoring. In this podcast episode, we will expl
#86: When is it Appropriate for a Teacher to Physically Touch a Student?
The short answer to this question is that there are only two reasons why a teacher should ever touch a student: if there's an educational purpose behind it, or if there's a health and safety issue that can only be solved through touching or moving the student. However, despite this, we are seeing an increasing number of videos on social media of, almost exclusively, female teachers hugging and cud
#85: How Can Flipped Learning Be Used in the High School Classroom?
Flipped Learning was first conceived as a pedagogical technique in 2007 by Jonathan Bergman and Aaron Sams who set out to answer a big question: What is the best way to use face-to-face class time? The answer they came up with, in essence, was that students should be involved in some well-designed discovery tasks at home/outside the lesson prior to deeper exploration (in which the content they’ve
#84: Challenges Faced by Teachers in Diverse Classrooms
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘diversity’? Most people will come up with a variety of answers, which may include race, gender, economic background or even neurodiversity. As educators, we must first be able to recognize diversity when we see it (which isn’t always obvious), and then work to both embrace it and manage the challenges posed by it. Classrooms are be
#83: The Role of ChatGPT and AI in Education: An Emergency Message for Schools and Teachers Everywhere
ChatGPT has hit educators globally with thunderclap surprise and is causing a lot of panic – and for good reason. In terms of updating Academic Integrity policies, schools will now have to go right back to the drawing board and devise intelligent solutions to a wide array of complex challenges that #ChatGPT will pose. Another key consideration for all educational institutions will be how to figure
#82: Why Coding is Important for Student to Learn
As a teacher or a parent, you’ll likely have an interest in the subjects that children are learning in school, especially newer subjects like computer literacy, robotics, coding, or even game development. And while some parents and teachers might be worried that children already spend too much time on tablets, mobile phones or laptop computers as it is, the good news is that all of these subjects
#81: Tina's Top Tips for Effective Classroom Management
When order breaks down in the classroom, student learning is affected and teachers’ stress levels, burnout and anxiety rise – which sometimes leads to teachers making the decision to leave the profession (McCarthy et. al., 2022). It is therefore in every teacher’s best interest to master the fundamental techniques of effective classroom management. Today, I'll be reading and commenting on a great
#80: What is 'Live Marking'?
I have personally wasted so much of my free time both at school and at home marking student work. Many late nights; many lost weekends. All for nothing.You see, I now know that feedback only works if it is relevant, specific and somewhat emotional. How do we achieve this? – we must mark student work with the students. They have to be involved too.
This episode is accompanied by a blog post: htt
#79: How to Design an Effective Long Term Curriculum
Taking a group of students on a journey from their first words and play right the way through to high school graduation is not a simple process. Following Schemes of Work, specifications, syllabuses and textbooks is simply not enough: long-term planning must take place. This planning must take into account the knowledge, skills and milestone exams the students will have to deal with along the way.
#78: The Truth About Teacher Talking Time (TTT)
An unfortunate stigma has been attached to Teacher Talking Time (TTT) in recent years. A common misconception is that the more a teacher talks, the less effective their lesson will be. This is simply not true. Teachers MUST talk to their students during lessons - for many and varied reasons. In today's podcast episode I describe the best ways to make use of Teacher Talking Time within the classroo
#77: How to Teach Sustainability to School Students
Teenagers and young people really can be the agents of change the world needs when it comes to sustainability. Fortune Magazine, for example, recently told the story of how global giant UPS was started by two teenagers and a bike back in 1907, and how the company went back to being eco-friendly with its e-bike delivery service in Hamburg back in 2012 (a service which has now expanded to many more
#76: Tips for Organising Homework as a High School Teacher
Being overwhelmed with marking, particularly that caused by homework, is a common problem for new and experienced teachers alike. In this episode I examine the best ways to design, organise and return homework, as well as ways to avoid being bogged down and ‘up to your eyeballs’ in paperwork.
This episode is accompanied by a blog post: https://richardjamesrogers.com/2022/10/08/homework-a-headach
#75: Ways to Increase Metacognition in High School Students
Metacognition is often described simply as 'thinking about thinking'. However, it's actually more than just that, and involves the delivery of a wide array of effective strategies that have been proven time and again to boost attainment and progress. In today's episode I talk with Corinna Graham, Head of Science at Garden International School, Rayong, to find out how how she uses metacognitive str
#74: What Actually Matters When it Comes to Effective Teaching?
In today's episode, I describe the things that actually make a difference when it comes to effective and excellent teaching. No wishy-washy academic intangibles here - just the raw, blunt truth about the day-to-day stuff that WILL actually improve your students' attainment and progress.
Check out my award-winning book for teachers - The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All Hi
#73: Handling Tiredness as a Teacher
Tiredness on-the-job is inevitable as a teacher; no matter how well-prepared you are. In today's episode I describe some effective, practical things you can do in real-time when you feel tired at school, along with some strategies to prevent tiredness from happening in the first place.
Check out my award-winning book for teachers - The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That A
#72: Queen Elizabeth II Lesson Resources: My Humble Tribute to a Life of Service
From the duties she fulfilled during her National Service way back in the 1940s, to her most recent engagement on September 6th 2022 (in which she appointed the new British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, to her role), Queen Elizabeth’s life has been filled to the brim with duties, public service projects and a clear devotion to bettering the welfare of others. As a humble tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
#71: 3 Ways to Keep a High School Student Motivated
As our students' high school careers near their end, achieving good grades becomes ever-more important. There’s a lot at stake, in particular, the range of colleges from which they can choose after graduation. And with the cost of a college education being so high, excellent grades could be worth money in the form of bursaries and sponsorships. Even kids that don’t want to study further need to wo
