Our Learning is a dedicated training centre in the grounds of Our Lady’s High School Preston, a Mathematics and Computing Specialist School. It’s fitting therefore, that there’s a Maths and Computing focus to our courses. Not only are we lucky enough to have two expert in-house trainers in National Maths Subject Leader Mary Tuson and Computing in Schools Pioneer Alan O’Donohoe, but we also welcome on a regular basis Primary Maths consultant Anthony Reddy whose courses invariably attract large numbers of delegates who’ve heard of his entertaining approach to Maths (not to mention his singing!)
We thought we’d take a quick look at what’s been going on, Maths and Computing-wise over the last month here at OurLearning :
Secondary Maths – Mary Tuson:
Mary Tuson has run courses for non-specialists, Teaching Assistants and NQTs who are coming to Maths teaching for the first time and need not only some TLC but also some helpful resources. Mary’s great strength is in her long experience of training teachers and wide range of innovative classroom resources that help break down complex mathematical concepts into simple elements that students of all abilities can understand. In fact, Mary has so many “freebies” to give away that she now uses a dedicated Maths and Computing Moodle to house them all and keep in touch, post-session with course delegates. As she says herself. “the support doesn’t stop at the end of the course”. If you think you’d benefit from some expert Maths training this autumn, take a look at Mary Tuson’s Maths courses here.
Primary Maths-Anthony Reddy:
Anyone who’s attended an Anthony Reddy course knows they’re not for the faint-hearted! Don’t expect to sit and listen to a lecture: you’ll be spending the day on your feet laughing, singing, re-learning how to think like a child and being inspired by Anthony’s tireless energy and enthusiasm for getting across key concepts to younger children in an accessible way. You’ll come in to a table piled high with beads, cards, games, books, CDs and will go home with a bag bursting with even more free stuff to get your primary Maths classes up to the exceptionally high standards attendees of Anthony’s courses regularly achieve. If you need guidance with Foundation, KS1 or KS2 Maths, take a look at Anthony Reddy’s Primary Maths courses here.
Computing – Alan O’Donohoe:
So finally the Government realise the importance of teaching pupils programming but this is rather behind the times for Alan O’Donohoe who introduced Computing to Our Lady’s four years ago and has been teaching Scratch to primary pupils for several years. An inspirational teacher with a wide range of computing skills and even wider range of computing colleagues he can help you network with, Alan has worked for the BBC, the Guardian and Google and has recently spearheaded the campaign to get the best out of your Raspberry Pi. If your school is taking its first steps in, Python, Scratch or GCSE Computing, come along and get some expert advice in one of Alan O’Donohoe’s Computing courses here.
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