Year: 2025
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Feedback isn’t a Favour: It’s a Fine Art (and a bit of Science)
Ah, feedback. The most powerful, and often most misused, tool in the teacher’s arsenal. Sue Cowley, in her book ‘Getting the Buggers to Behave’, talks about positive reinforcement and clear expectations. And feedback should be exactly that. It’s not about correcting every single comma. It’s about identifying one or two…
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Is social media a form of digital surveillance?
Human augmentation, the use of technology to enhance physical or cognitive capabilities, pushes the boundaries of what it means to be human. From prosthetic limbs controlled by thought to brain-computer interfaces promising enhanced memory or direct communication, the possibilities are vast. But these advancements bring complex ethical dilemmas. Who will…
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Less Talk, More Chalk: The Power of ‘Do Now’
You know that moment when the bell rings and you’re still fumbling for your whiteboard pen? Students are already off in a world of their own, discussing last night’s telly. This is where the brilliant Doug Lemov comes in with his concept of ‘Do Now.’ It’s a simple, high-impact task…
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The future of education in a tech-driven world.
The digital age has fundamentally transformed the landscape of protest and activism, empowering individuals and movements in unprecedented ways. Social media platforms enable rapid mobilisation, global awareness, and the sharing of information bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Hashtags can spark revolutions, viral videos can expose injustices, and online petitions can exert immense…
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The Blank Page Blues: Curing the Creative Coma
The single greatest enemy of a writer is not a demanding editor, a dodgy printer, or a villainous plot twist. It’s the dreaded blank page. And as teachers, our job is to hand our students a loaded pen and a full tank of confidence. Drawing on the work of Tom…
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How close are we to a truly paperless society?
Technology is often heralded as the ultimate solution to the climate crisis, with innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture, and sustainable agriculture offering paths to a greener future. Yet, technology itself has been a significant driver of the problem, contributing to industrial emissions, resource depletion, and e-waste. The paradox lies…
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The Secret Ingredient to a Killer Story: It’s Not a Unicorn (Probably)
Right, let’s get one thing straight. You can’t teach a genius to be a genius. But you can give them the tools to not trip over their own metaphors. This is the heart of what we do. Forget the mythical ‘spark of inspiration’ for a moment. Instead, let’s talk about…
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The soundscapes of a controlled city.
In today’s digital landscape, a new economic model has emerged: the surveillance economy. Here, your personal data—your searches, purchases, locations, and even your conversations—is the primary currency. Companies offer “free” services in exchange for the right to collect, analyze, and monetize this information, often without your full awareness or explicit…
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Dystopian fashion: How clothing reflects control.
From Netflix recommendations to Spotify playlists, algorithms are increasingly shaping our consumption of art and culture. They learn our preferences, predict what we might like, and serve up an endless stream of tailored content. While this can be incredibly convenient, ensuring we rarely run out of things to watch or…
Antony West (Author) 