Brighter Thinking Pod

We're back for part 2 of Stretch, Support and Challenge in Upper Secondary Science. In this episode, we look at challenging your students who want to take sciences beyond school, as well as the kinds of transferable skills sciences teach for those students who want to take a different path.  Our host again is Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press, Tamsin Hart. She is rejoined by Head of...

Are you a secondary science teacher looking for tips on stretching, supporting and challenging your students? This episode is for you!  Today's host is Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press, Tamsin Hart. She is joined by Head of Science, David Martindill. David authors titles from our IGCSE biology and combined and co-ordinated sciences series. We also welcome Chemistry Teacher, Dr. Stev...

Welcome back to the Brighter Thinking Pod! In this episode we dive into teaching programming to primary and secondary learners. We believe that learning to code is an important skill for young people in today's world - not just in itself, but with the '21st century skills' that come with it: computational thinking, critical thinking, creativity and much more. Our host for this episode is Commissio...

Welcome to the final part of this 3-part epic on assessment! In part 1 we covered the importance of assessment, how teachers are constantly assessing in the classroom, and the principles of good assessment. In part 2 we looked at how you can set assessments up for success. In this episode, evocatively called 'Steering a Course in the Sea of Data', we'll be digging into types of assessment data and...

In this second episode on assessment, we hone in on how to make the most out of assessments and ensure they are achieving what you set out to do.  Once again, our host is Senior Brand Marketing Executive from the Press and producer of the Brighter Thinking Pod, Adam Steele. He is re-joined by Simon Child, Head of Assessment Training at the Cambridge Assessment Network, and co-course Director for t...

This is a 3-part episode on everybody's favourite subject: assessment. In this first episode, we discuss the main principles that underpin good quality assessment and the questions you can ask to determine if your assessments have worked. Our host for today is Senior Brand Marketing Executive from the Press and producer of the Brighter Thinking Pod, Adam Steele. He is joined by Simon Child, Head o...

This episode is about managing behaviour by developing students' skills of conflict resolution. We discuss what positive peace is and how you can apply the dimensions of peace-keeping, peace-making and peace-building in schools. Our host this week is Senior Brand Marketer at the Press and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He is joined by, Professor Hilary Cremin, Peace Education Research Professor...

What skills do students need to learn in order to flourish in IB sciences? Furthermore, do the courses the teach skills that students need for higher education and the world of work?  Your host for this episode is Senior Marketing Executive for science titles at the Press, Tamsin Hart.  She is joined by two special guests. Brenda Walpole is an author from our IB Diploma Biology series. Brenda has...

How do you promote positive learning behaviours inside, and outside, the classroom? Our host for this episode is Laura Kahwati, Education Manager for Thought Leadership at Cambridge Assessment International Education. She is joined by Dr Simon Ellis, a Freelance Educational Consultant who provides training and consultancy support to schools on behaviour for learning. Prior to this, he was a Senior...

Welcome back to this two-part episode on neurodiversity. In this second part, we discuss strategies for making schools and societies more inclusive spaces. Our host again for this episode is Head of Teaching & Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education, Paul Ellis. He is rejoined by our two special guests. Professor Amanda Kirby is a neurodiversity campaigner, medical doctor...

In this two-part episode, we look at neurodiversity, inclusive education and how teachers can help all students to flourish in the classroom. In this first part, we define inclusive education and neurodiversity, and discuss their importance when considering your class. Our host for this episode is Head of Teaching & Learning Strategy at Cambridge Assessment International Education, Paul Ellis. He...

How important are maths skills to life?  Our host for this episode is Cambridge's own Tamsin Hart. She is joined by Richard Needham, past Chair of Association for Science Education (ASE) and member of project teams for the language of mathematics in science and other ASE projects. And Tom Rainbow, an Education Support Specialist who works for the Advanced Maths Support Programme. Show notes Centre...

What are the objectives of education and how best can we prepare students for the future?   Our host for this episode is Paul Ellis, Head of Teaching and Learning at Cambridge Assessment International Education. He is joined by the co-authors of Thrive, a book that looks at the purpose of schools in a changing world. Valerie Hannon is Co-founder of the Innovation Unit and the Global Education Lead...

Heads down, pens at the ready - we're back for part 2 of What Makes a Good Essay? Our host again is Brand Marketer and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He's joined by Adrian Ravenscroft from the previous episode and Dr Clair Rawlingson, an assessment professional who has worked as an A Level examiner, Team Leader and Principal Examiner, as well as a Cambridge International Teacher Trainer. And Li...

What makes a 'good' essay? Are there similarities between subjects? Can you start with the conclusion?! Let's find out.    Our host for this episode is Senior Brand Marketing Executive and Producer of the pod, Adam Steele. He's joined by a returning guest from series 2, Adrian Ravenscroft. Ade is a Global Perspectives author and assessment specialist who also tutors full-time education staff looki...

'Yeah, but when are we ever going to use this in the real world?' If you've been asked this question by your students before, then our episode about bringing the real world into the STEM classroom is for you! Our host for this one is our very own Tamsin Hart, a Senior Product Marketing Executive at the Press. She is joined by two special guests. George Vlachonikolis is Head of Economics and Profes...

Cameras on and make sure you are not on mute – we're about to delve into remote teaching and learning. The host for this episode is our Head of Professional Development, Victoria Renfro. She is joined in the virtual studio by two new guests. Siti Zaleha is a Secondary Mathematics Teacher & Teacher Trainer in Malaysia. Siti is also a professional development mentor here at the Press and was selecte...

In this episode, we're looking at ways to introduce the world of work to students, and ultimately, how we can help them to gain employment skills. Our host for this episode is Head of Publishing at the Press, Lucy Mills. She is joined in the virtual studio by two new guests. Vicki Barkney is a Careers Lead at Nene Park Academy secondary school and sixth form in Peterborough and Tom Macildowie, who...

The word 'metacognition' can be a bit daunting when you first hear it. Fear not, in this episode we explain all – from definitions to practical strategies for the classroom.  The host for this episode is our very own Insights Manager, Silvia Pirola. She is joined in the virtual studio by three expert guests. Dr Saundra McGuire is an internationally renowned learning strategists and Professor Emeri...

Roll up your sleeves, because episode 19 is all about hands-on learning!  Our host this week is our digital maestro, David Hickinson. His guests are John Pinkney, who is a learning advisor at Raising Robots and also a certified LEGO Education trainer. And Stuart Swann, former ICT Lead and a now consultant and LEGO Education Academy Trainer.   Show notes  Raising Robots Raising Robots on Twitter IE...

How much homework should we expect children to do? What makes impactful homework? What is the link between homework and stress? Should we still expect children to do homework? All this and more in episode 18! Our host this week is Senior Marketing Executive, Tamsin Hart. Her guests are Cathy Vatterott, Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Author of Rethinking Homework . And Michae...

When teaching subject content in English, should subject teachers also teach the English language? Join us as we explore this question and dive into the world of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) Join our host, Commissioning Editor, Biljana Savikj, in our virtual studio with two new guests. Dee Rutgers, is a Researcher at the Faculty of Education, Cambridge, specialising in multiling...

In this episode, we discuss a variety of teaching techniques that help to "bring the curriculum to life" and how encouraging imagination and engagement from children can support the development of key skills. We talk about different ways technology can be used in the classroom as well as how reading, writing and speaking skills interrelate. Join our host Emma McCrea in our virtual studio with two...

Episode 15 is all about 21st century skills. Join us as we discuss this much-talked about education term, paying particular focus to Cambridge Global Perspectives: a course that is all about skills building. Hosted by our very own Janey Webb, Commissioning Editor for Global Perspectives, she is joined by two new voices on the pod. Adrian Ravenscroft is an Independent Education Consultant and Tom H...

This week we're continuing our discussion on engaging parents and carers in education, focusing on engagement opportunities and celebrating each child's achievements. Join our brilliant host, Product Marketing Manager Emma McCrea, as we welcome back Richard Morgan, Assistant Head at The Perse School in Cambridge, and Beth Borrett, a parent of three children at different stages in their education....