The Teaching Space

Links I mentioned: The Wellbeing-Driven Productivity Podcast Notes by Martine Martine's Website Martine on Twitter

Hello, it's Martine here, I am recording this towards the end of June 2021 and I wanted to give you an idea of what's on the horizon for The Teaching Space - in particular, the podcast. Next year is the third and final year of my masters in education - my dissertation year. I know this is going to take up a lot of my energy and focus, but I am determined to reach the end. The reality of this is, of course, I need to refocus my priorities a bit. Podcasting is so much fun - I love doing it and I think I will always be a podcaster, but the reality is that it is incredibly time-consuming. Next year, I am going to take a break from my two weekly podcasting schedule and do something a bit different. I am going to focus on two things for The Teaching Space. Writing Informal audio You might have noticed if you follow me on Twitter, that I have been working on my writing by doing the Ship 30 for 30 challenge. I plan to keep up the frequent production of short-form essays and will be publishing them in a variety

Highlights Notion has enabled me to conduct a yearly and monthly review consistently for the first time ever. I am also refining my weekly review process. This is the first time I have managed this behaviour consistently, and it is game changing. This is a personal review - but could easily apply to work and there is always some cross over. Undertaking personal reviews is enabling me to meet my goals. (01:13). On the subject of goals, that’s where it all starts, so I am going to walk you through my process. Annual review (03:09) Review the year (screenshot). Consider your life buckets (e.g. health, work, business, personal life, travel, money etc) and use the plus, minus, next method to reflect. Identify your proudest achievement/s and biggest challenges. Set goals for next year and keep them visible (screenshot). You might like to set a theme or word for the year - mine is ONE. Monthly review (07:50) Now page - currently in Notion and template available. Now page template includes goals. Review: progres

Highlights What is personal knowledge management? (00:47). “Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) is the practice of capturing the ideas and insights we encounter in our daily life, whether from personal experience, from books and articles, or from our work, and cultivating them over time to produce more creative, higher quality work” (Forte Labs, 2019). Ness Labs creator, Anne-Laure Le Cunff describes the 5 C’s of PKM as: creation, circulation, curation, collaboration and communities (Ness Labs, 2020). My interpretations of the 5 C’s (02:08): creation: managing knowledge derived from learning allows the creation of new knowledge. circulation: that new knowledge can be circulated/shared. curation: it’s also a way to collect and curate things that make you think. collaboration: collecting information in this way can lead to collaboration. communities: you can share anything collected or created in communities (e.g. Twitter). For me, PKM is about ensuring the content I consume is not wasted. How many times to

This episode topic was requested by Ashely in The Teaching Space Community. She said: "I would love to hear about the most beneficial things you can have a student-teacher do before exiting the program and teaching on their own. This is my first time having a student-teacher." In this podcast I am going to focus on general advice for those mentoring trainee teachers or new trainers as I do not have expertise in sectors outside of corporate and FE. To try to give a rounded response to this topic request, I also chatted to my wider Twitter network and will share some of their suggestions. I am mindful that this is a massive area, so will not aim to cover everything in one short episode. Incidentally, if you would like to join our community and help shape the podcast in the future, visit community.theteachingspace.com. I'm going to split this episode into three sections. First I am going to share some of the helpful information I got from Twitter about mentoring trainee teachers. Then I will share some previou

Highlights Introducing Elizabeth Hutchinson (01:03). Elizabeth shares some recent PD that had a big impact on her (03:00). Organising PD is great PD (05:58). Elizabeth talks about her own approach to PD previously and now (08:46). The Twitter chat that started everything… Library Staff Love Learning (11:00). Martine talks about how the podcast helps her PD (19:04). The changing landscape of PD - creating your own opportunities (20:28). On Clubhouse (21:03). The challenges of leading your own PD - find your focus, find the time (22:50). The benefits of finding your own PD - finding your purpose, opening doors and finding your clan (28:42). On career paths…. (34:30). Workload and PD - bite-sized PD (36:25). Logging your PD (46:46). Final thoughts (51:43). Find Elizabeth online (52:29). Thanks Thanks to Elizabeth for returning to the show and being an awesome guest. Helpful links Elizabeth’s website Elizabeth on Twitter Episode 13 Why it’s Time to Get to Know Your School Librarian, An Interview With Elizabeth

Thanks to Daniela, who is a member of The Teaching Space Community, for suggesting this episode topic. You can join the community at community.theteachingspace.com. This topic has been influenced by my own experience as well a number of articles I read on the topic. I will link to the articles in the show notes which you will find at theteachingspace.com/118. This episode will focus on teachers using Twitter for their own purposes rather than using it with students. Highlights What is EduTwitter? (02:50) Educators on Twitter who generally use EduTwitter as a hashtag. Positives (03:43) It's a great way to connect with people from all over the world working in similar, or entirely different areas of education to you. Building your network in this way can lead to job offers! (Remember AJ from episode 114?) You can engage in interesting, topical discussions, get help, advice and help. You can stay current by knowing what is being discussed in education right now. It's an easy way to find links to interesting a

Highlights Introducing Parm (00:40). Why Parm thinks teacher wellbeing is at an all-time low (02:22). Martine on boundaries (04:00). Switching to online teaching (05:30). Teachers as perfectionists (06:15). The unseen pressure on women due to Covid (07:10). Living alone on an island and working in education (08:40). The stress epidemic (09:30). Unique challenges in teaching (10:30). Guernsey and Ofsted (14:55). The pressure of always being "on" (16:20). Dropping standards just a tiny bit (17:10). Parm on presenteeism (19:20). Trust, professionalism and the need for a culture of flexibility (24:00). How leadership is changing (25:40). The need for flexibility in leadership (28:01). Could the pandemic help flexible working become more accepted? (28:45). Zoom fatigue... a few tips (29:57). Asynchronous versus synchronous learning online (31:27). Ways to prioritise and increase our wellbeing (33:00). Being able to talk about your mental health is a strength (36:45). Be mindful of the impact of Covid when you dea

Highlights Introduction In my teaching practice I am always aware of the need for my learners to regularly engage with material I am teaching them to embed it in their long-term memory. It’s also important they practice retrieval in order to remember (00:40). Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve in under 2 minutes (01:17). Something I have realised while studying my master’s in education is that I don’t pay enough attention to this with my own learning - particularly with what I read. So I did some research and tried a few techniques to help me remember what I read. I will share my approach in this episode (01:55). Materials in Focus This episode focuses non-fiction rather than fiction, and ‘real books’ rather than audiobooks (03:10). 12 non-fiction book target for 2021 (04:32 ). How I Remember What I Read Highlighting is great but not enough - highlights must be revisited (05:57). Add annotations to highlights - what does this highlight mean, why did you highlight it and how is the idea interesting or useful to

Highlights Introduction Making decisions uses considerable mental energy which is limited (00:42 ). Decision fatigue is real (00:52). Educators make a lot of decisions - some significant - so it is definitely worth looking at ways to minimise the number of small decisions we make daily, to reserve energy for the big ones (01:42). Small Decisions Time for a brain dump (01:58). List the small decisions you have to make every day. Examples (02:19): What to eat for lunch/dinner. When to each lunch/dinner. What time to wake up and go to bed. What to do at the gym. What to wear to go to the gym. What to wear to work. What Can You Automate, Delegate or Eliminate? Automate: make automatic, or at least systematised (03:10). Delegate: perhaps to a partner, family member, friend or professional service provider (03:31). Eliminate: get rid of completely! (03:48) Automate Fully automatic: social media, direct debits, comment bank (05:19). Systematised: podcast workflow (Notion template), shopping list (Bring), T

Highlights Introducing AJ Smith (00:40). On AJ's switch from secondary to primary (01:16). On my switch from finance to education (08:00). How I "met" AJ... spoiler - it's YouTube (10:05). Starting to talk about Notion (10:53). One trust place for everything (12:50). Productivity challenges for teachers (13:24). Finding the Notion community (20:45). What is Notion? (22:47). AJ's Notion setup (24:00). Using Notion to improve your mental health (28:53). How using Notion makes you a better person (!) (32:42). The quick capture/inbox concept (35:20). The second brain (38:20). Is there a danger that we will collect too much information? (43:30). Curate with an action attached (46:11). AJ on YouTube (47:00). Thanks Thanks to AJ for being such an interesting and engaging guest. Helpful links AJ on Twitter Martine on Twitter AJ's blog AJ on YouTube How AJ uses Notion as a Teacher Planner (YouTube video) Notion Mastery course Martine's Notion templates David Allen, GTD Comparative judgement Notion

Highlights Introducing Chris Chamberlain (00:44). About Guernsey Mind (01:50). How can teachers improve their mental health or seek help? (05:10). Self care and self management is a priority (05:21). Emails - are you a 24-hour service? (06:10). Work is not called pleasure! (07:22). On sleep (08:18). Setting boundaries and self-management (11:50). Learning to say no (14:21). We are not perfect (17:00). Reflect on mistakes (17:20). Sharing experiences (17:55). Admitting you are struggling is a strength (20:19). What do you do if you have a colleague studying with their mental health? (22:45). Practice empathy. Are you OK? Actively listen. Remember everyone is different. Signpost to Samaritans, employee assistance, line manager (if appropriate) local Mind charity or GP. Signs of anxiety (23:40). Final thoughts (29:23). Find out more about mental health. Find Chris online (34:38). Thanks Thanks to my generous guest, Chris Chamberlain. Helpful links Email Chris: chris.chamberlain@guernseymind.org.gg Chris

Highlights Introducing Craig (00:53). Trust-based observation key questions (03:54). More on trust-based lesson observations (05:14). Professional conversations and instructional coaching (08:47). Matt O’Leary on observations (10:08). Martine asks Craig if senior leadership observers experience a conflict of interest (quality assurance versus supportive quality improvement) (11:01). Other aspects of teaching that can be evaluated (15:50). Martine asks Craig how observers keep their teaching practice current (16:32). Professional development communities (20:17). The problem with traditional goal setting (23:08). Just one thing… (25:29). Peers working together and owning professional development (26:11). Pandemic thoughts and Mississippi case study (30:38). Wrap up - where to get Craig’s book and find him online (33:40). Thanks Thank you so much to Craig Randall for being a charming and informative guest on the podcast. Helpful links Trust-Based Observations (by Craig Randall on Amazon UK) Trust-Based Observ

Episode 111 of The Teaching Space Podcast features my master’s study toolkit (how we love a toolkit episode!) Highlights Introduction (00:32). Year one toolkit (01:48). Bookshelf by Vital Source GoodNotes Microsoft OneNote Cite This For Me Google Calendar Microsoft Word Year two toolkit (06:23). The same: reader access, Cite This For Me, Google Calendar, assignments in Microsoft Word Different: PDF annotation in iAnnotate, Notion for notes, new keyboard for iPad. Reasons for change (09:29). Wrap up (15:00) Helpful links Master’s Degree in Education, Leadership and Management, Open University Episode 110: 12 Tips for Preparing to Study a Master's Degree in Your Spare Discuss this episode in The Teaching Space Community. Bookshelf by Vital Source GoodNotes Cite The For Me iAnnotate Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Rusty and Monica - Notion for Academics

Episode 110 of The Teaching Space Podcast shares 12 tips for preparing to study a master’s degree in your spare time. Highlights Introduction (00:29). Tip 1: refresh your study skills (03:23). Tip 2: use your calendar or wall planner (04:44). Tip 3: find out if you are entitled to any study days? (05:40). Tip 4: time block your study time (07:02). Tip 5: start early (08:15). Ad break (08:47). Tip 6: decide on your toolkit - more in the next episode (09:01). Tip 7: consider your support mechanisms (10:21) Tip 8: keep a PDP (12:30). Tip 9: keep a reflective learning journal (12:58). Tip 10: log everything you read (13:58). Tip 11: get a study buddy (14:39). Tip 12: set and log your goals (15:53). Wrap up (16:42). Helpful links Episode 80: On Being a Student Again Open University, Master’s in Education Episode 62: Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers Episode 98: Time Blocking for Teachers and Trainers Revisited Martine on Twitter Join The Teaching Space Community

Episode 109 of The Teaching Space Podcast is an interview with sleep specialist, Daniel White, who has some great advice to help teachers and trainers sleep better. Highlights Introducing Daniel (00:50). On burnout (01:48). Why sleep matters (03:06). What happens to your brain when you are awake (05:34). How can teachers and trainers learn to sleep better? (06:30). Become aware first - recognise the need to improve (06:43). About circadian rhythm (07:56). Caveman Dan! (09:00). Light exposure (12:15). Addictive blue light (19:38). Avoid blue light in the evening using blue light blocking glasses (20:16). Adjust your tech to reduce blue light (23:56). Think about your house lighting (25:22). Early daytime light exposure is important (27:09). Seasonal affective disorder (31:38). How food affects sleep (35:50). How alcohol affects sleep (37:24). How we sleep (38:32). Final thought: boundaries (43:21). Find Daniel online - links below (45:33). Martine’s wrap up (48:28). Thanks Thanks to Daniel White for being su

Highlights These changes are shared without agenda and with the intention of encouraging you to reflect on whether you need or want to make changes. If it’s not the right time for you to listen to this podcast episode then that’s OK. It’s also OK if you don’t want or need to make changes, or if you do not have the capacity (01:26). I used summer break to introduce some of these changes and establish habits. Six weeks seemed long enough for me to confidently start identifying as a healthier person (02:15). My definition of healthy: anti-diet, pro-movement, comparison-free, and a strong emphasis on mental health (03:34). Change 1: daily exercise (indoor and outdoor cycling) (04:21). Change 2: one weekly exercise session with others (nordic walking) (07:40). Change 3: a little competition (Strava and Apple Activity app) (09:07). Change 4: intermittent fasting (16:8, no calorie counting, two meals) (11:02). Change 5: working towards no blue light at bed time (mobile in office, no social media on iPad, aiming to

Highlights Introducing Vanessa Mee (00:53). Vanessa’s journey into teaching (01:52). Transitioning from working in the UK to Guernsey (04:13) The type of trainee teachers Vanessa works with (06:16). How a trainee’s experience of education affects them (08:16). Tip: time block your week and also focus on big picture planning (10:00). Tip: personalise your space and build relationships with your students (12:10). Vanessa on Imposter Syndrome (13:15). Tip: continue research, reading and experimentation (16:05). Tip: maintain links with industry (17:36). Tip: do less (teacher/student activity ratio) (19:30). Tip: look after yourself as a priority (23:10). Tip: become part of your school/college community (24:10). Mentoring trainee teachers (25:35). Wrap Up (26:55) If you are a trainee teacher or a newly qualified teacher or trainer in any sector of education, why not pop over to The Teaching Space community - I’ll see you there. Helpful Links Guernsey College of Further Education South Cheshire College Sir Da

Highlights Your Relationship with Social Media (02:10) Is your relationship with social media unhealthy? Only you know the answer to this - I encourage honest reflection here. Endless scrolling and finding yourself on your mobile without realising… sound familiar? How many hours a day do you spend on your phone looking at social media? If you were not doing this, what could you be doing? Creating relationships online can affect offline relationships. Your communication skills can suffer. What Can You Do? (06:25) Notifications off. Reduce screen time - check your statistics. Charge your phone overnight in another room (get an alarm clock!) Mute, unfollow, unfriend, block… Recognise accounts that cause you stress. Select people to follow carefully. Think about what you share and when to comment. Take a break. Take apps off your phone - temporarily or permanently. Schedule social media time. Create a cut-off time. Phone your friends. Stop comparing - remember social media is a snapshot. Post later. Use blocki

This episode is kindly sponsored by Subject Leaders. Highlights About Professor Matt O’Leary (01:15). What Matt first became interested in observations (01:55). Different types of observations and reasons for them (05:47). Matt’s most recent research into observations (09:43). How Martine’s College executes observations - The ONE THING (16:43). Matt’s thoughts on The ONE THING (19:36). About unseen observation (22:29). Unseen observations while teaching online (27:35). Existing research on professional learning (32:40). The future of observation(43:30). Where to find Matt online (46:39). Thanks Thanks so much to Matt O’Leary for coming on the show and thanks also go to this episode’s sponsor, Subject Leaders. Helpful Links Birmingham City University Matt’s latest research on Research Gate Matt O’Leary on Twitter Matt O’Leary on Linkedin Matt on academia.edu Matt’s book “Classroom Observation” on Routledge and Amazon Guernsey College of Further Education