Practical Teaching Tips with Richard James Rogers

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...

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...

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...

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...

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/2024...

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 be...

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 blog...

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...

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...

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 teache...

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-in...

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. Check...

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 htt...

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, a...

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...

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 c...

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...

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-del...

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 my...

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 Classro...

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, students...

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/

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 Post]:...

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...

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...