When I was a classroom teacher, I spent many hours in front of trainers and consultants being entertained, informed, inspired and encouraged to 'have a go' with this or that new idea.
Like most of my colleagues, I enjoyed these experiences and often had a fine meal into the bargain - plus an uninterrupted lunch break. But I'd usually go back to the classroom and make no real changes to my practice.
Now that I'm the person leading the training, I want this time to be as effective as possible for you - I want you to gain the confidence, ability and resources to make real changes - and then actually go and make them the next day. How do I do this?
Well, I too aim to entertain, inform, inspire and encourage, but our learning will be practical and hands-on: as it should be in the classroom. I'll use what I believe about Personalised Learning, Thinking Skills, Multiple Intelligences, Creativity and Learning Styles in the way we work together, so that as well as a nice meal and an uninterrupted lunch hour, you'll get to try out, test and apply lots of straightforward, SMART new ideas.
I also draw on my time before teaching when I was an electronics design engineer for GEC Marconi. I use my knowledge and experience of the design process and apply it to learning. For example, EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3-4 and teachers are the clients; APP, AfL, PLTS, TSPC etc. is the requirement, and I design the training to provide one for the other! Did that make sense? If not, blame the engineer-part of me.
I'll give you many ideas to use right away in class plus ongoing support (at different levels) from this website including a vast resource library, a new online learning magazine (and thinking skills tool) each month.