Current Trends In Teaching And Learning

Are you interested in starting the year off by implementing some future-focused initiatives in your classroom? Or just interested in what is trending in education at the moment?

If that is you, then below you will find some programs you might like to investigate further or trial at your school.

Simon Breakspear – Learning Sprint

Learning Sprint is a powerful and simple process to help teachers continually improve their practice. There are two parts to a Learning Sprint. The first is about team learning, then that moves into running a sprint in your classroom. During team learning, you'll use the tools to support more productive discussions, better engagement with research, and the sharing of your best ideas about how to improve student learning. Which leads into the Sprint. The Sprint is where you take some of the discussions and the things you have decided on together, and then define something specific to bring back into the classroom and trial and increase learning for your students in a particular area, usually within a five week period.

Helen Timperley – Spirals of Inquiry; Leaders Leading Learning

A resource with field-tested ideas, tools and approaches, and stories about creating inquiry-based professional learning cultures using the spiral of inquiry as its framework. The six parts of the spiral of inquiry are; scanning, focusing, developing a hunch, new learning, taking action, and checking.  One spiral of inquiry leads to another. Small changes create the confidence to design and implement more radical change. This is how transformation begins.

Department of Education - 8 Learning Modes

The learning modes for future-focused learning highlight different ways in which learning occurs. Each mode requires students and teachers to be interacting differently with space and each other. When we are aware of and can identify how we want learning to occur, it guides the decision making on the design of learning space and technology requirements that will best support the desired learning. Space, furniture and technology can all help to enable learning modes that coexist or can be quickly and easily transitioned.

Lyn Sharrett – Learning Walks and Talks

Learning Walks and Talks are a tool to answer the question of how we know all of our students are learning. They also empower and enhance learning for teachers. It offers opportunities to provide appropriate support for students and teachers and gives data to plan the next steps in professional learning.  Learning Walks and Talks also develop opportunities to have authentic conversations with teachers. Then using the collected data to inform teachers about the trends and patterns across the school and across schools.

Simon Senek – Start With Why

Simon found that many of the struggles that organisations face exist simply because their leaders were playing with a finite mindset in a game that has no end. The leaders who embrace an infinite mindset, in stark contrast, build stronger, more innovative, more inspiring organisations. They have the resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world, while their competitors fall by the wayside. Ultimately, those who adopt an infinite mindset are the ones who lead the rest of us into the future.

John Hattie and Corwin – Visible Learning

Evidence-based research on what works best in schools to improve and accelerate student learning based on the domains – student, home, school, classroom, teacher, curricula, student learning strategies, teaching strategies, technology, school and out of school strategies.    

Lyn Sharrett and Michael Fullan – Putting Faces On The Data

Putting Faces on the Data shows how to develop a common language for sharing all students' progress with all teachers and leaders and how to use ongoing assessment to inform instruction. By personalising data or putting a face on it, teachers can implement specific actions for specific students. Based on worldwide research from more than 500 educators.

Chunk-Chew-Check Model

The Chunk-Challenge-Chew-Chat-Check framework provides a simple structure for lesson planning and delivery. It also includes frequent checks for understanding to ensure that all students have equal access to the content. This approach is especially useful for students who have English as a second language, who often fall behind when the delivery of content outpaces their ability to process it and express their understanding. The ten Chew activities include core groups with jobs, numbered heads together, turn and talk, walk and talk, stand and share, vote on your feet, stop and draw, clock partners, musical matches, think/pair/share and reflect/pair/share.


Can you add to our list of current education trends? What is the latest? What do we need to know? Feel free to add your comments below.