WEEKLY WHITEBOARD ??
8billionideas
Our mission is to give every student on the planet the skills and belief to change the world.
Hello there,
How often do you ask your students, 'What are you passionate about?'
In last week's?Weekly Whiteboard, we explored ways to implement project-based student programmes effectively. This week, let's talk about students' passions and how we can help them leverage passion-led learning in school.
In a ?? that's getting more complex than ever, students wield an incredible tool— their passions.
Encouraging students to dive deep into their passions isn't just about academic excellence — it's about sculpting confident individuals ready to conquer the world.
Whether it's art, science, music, business, or sports — each passion pushes them to climb the ladder to success and happiness.
Whether they're in the boardroom, the studio, the lab, or anywhere in between, passion is the fuel that will help them make their mark.
And this diversity is a necessity in a world hungry for fresh ideas and unconventional solutions.?
Welcome to your?weekly dose?of all things education, student careers, 21st-century education, and a tiny bit of deserving fun.
Today, we'll cover:
The wacky 'learning' fact of the week:
?? ?The 'Forgetting Curve' shows that without any reinforcement or connections to prior knowledge, information is quickly forgotten — roughly 56% in one hour, 66% after a day, and 75% after six days.?
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THURSDAY SPOTLIGHT: PASSION-LED STUDENT LEARNING
As educators, our daily mission extends beyond imparting knowledge — it's about igniting a lifelong love for learning driven by the interests and passions of our students.?
Here are three ideas to revolutionise the way we foster passion-led learning in schools, turning classrooms into hubs of creativity, exploration, and personal growth:
?? Passion projects: Create a 'Passion Project' programme, where students choose a topic, hobby or field they love and explore it in depth over a term. You can also encourage students to maintain digital or physical 'Passion Portfolios' where they can document their learning journey, interests, projects, and reflections.?
?? Personalised learning time: Allocate a specific time slot, such as an hour each week or a half-day every fortnight, for 'Personalised Learning Time' where students can work on anything they are passionate about, with teachers acting as facilitators and guides. You can also encourage students to form groups based on shared interests to foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
?? Guest speakers & field experts: Regularly invite professionals from various fields to share their experiences and insights. These interactions can ignite student passions and offer a practical view of how their interests can lead to fulfilling careers.
Incorporating such an approach into the curriculum will fuel the innate curiosity and unique passions of each student.
The possibilities are limitless, so let's not limit the opportunities students receive to hone skills, instil self-belief, and explore passions. ?
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TOP THREE EDUCATION UPDATES THAT MATTER??
The latest news: ?
1?? Mobile bans, again: Following England's recent ban on mobile phones in schools, it's noted that many schools in the UAE have already implemented strict measures to limit mobile phone use. These UAE schools have various policies in place, such as requiring phones to stay in bags or lockers.?
Why it matters: As part of a wider debate, the goal is to foster better learning environments and mitigate issues related to social media. (Via The National)
2?? Students and AI: A study reveals that a quarter of children now use generative AI for schoolwork. Over half of 13-to-14-year-olds engage with AI chatbots, with 41% believing these tools benefit their education. The charity Internet Matters is calling on the Department for Education to offer more guidance and support for safe and effective AI use in schools.
Why it matters: It highlights the growing integration of AI in education and the urgent need for comprehensive guidance and support to ensure its safe and effective use among students.?(Via The Independent)
3?? 'Daylight robbery': In the UK, a Trades Union Congress survey highlights that two in five UK teachers work an additional 26 hours unpaid each week. This is the highest in any profession, equating to an annual loss of ￡15,000 per teacher. Teaching unions have branded it as 'daylight robbery'. Teachers overall are facing increasingly heavy workloads due to support staff reductions and cuts in children's services, leading to around-the-clock work.
Why it matters: It underscores the critical issue of teacher overwork in the UK, highlighting the unsustainable demands on educators and the potential negative impact on the quality of education.?(Via The Guardian)
8billionideas Tales
We are all aware of the crucial role of work experiences in shaping the careers of young individuals and helping them develop practical skills. ????
However, not all students are fortunate enough or face hurdles to secure these opportunities.
That's why we created 'The Internship' as a solution to bridge this gap. ??
The Internship has inclusivity at its core — it's designed for all students and particularly uplifts students who struggle to find traditional work experience.
And schools can achieve Gatsby benchmarks, just like with traditional work experience.??
You can tailor our award-winning WEx alternative to your educational environments and equip your students with 21st-century workplace skills. ? ?
1?? Choose a format that suits you — virtual, hybrid, or asynchronous?
2?? Use it for any number of students — 1 or 1,000?
3?? Save time while supporting a wide range of students
Discover how 'The Internship' can help you solve work experience for all your students, enabling you to give every student the opportunity to gain real, transferable workplace skills.
?? How about some classroom riddles this week? Check out these 100 riddles for the classroom your students will love!