Insights Into Post 16 English and Maths Podcast

Over the next few months, I will be talking with a range of people looking at The Impact of Inclusion and how we can support our learners in the classroom and in life. 

Neurodiversity 

Our first episode, which is already live, is an introduction to Neurodiversity with Hattie Blyth, Training and CPD Delivery Manager, ABLE Global Communication Lead in Pearson. As part of that discussion Hattie gave some tips to ensure that classrooms are neurodiverse friendly. She also pointed out, quite rightly, that measures to support those that are neurodiverse also support learning as a whole. 

Tips for Teachers 

• Give questions ahead of time so learners can absorb and engage with them fully. 
• Ensure learners have time to process information by giving them access to lesson plans and discussion topics in advance. 
• Ensure accessible software is available for learners such as text to speak and coloured overlays and backgrounds. 
• Training to ensure that teachers and classmates have awareness of neurodiversity and how to support learners and peers. 

You can listen to Hattie’s podcast here: Neurodiversity | Insights Podcast

Dyslexia, A Personal Experience 

In the second episode, I talk with Gareth Reynolds, Product Manager Sport and Physical Activity at Pearson about his personal experiences as a learner with dyslexia both before and after receiving an educational psych assessment. We also touched on strategies and insights on how to support and lead the learning process for those with dyslexia.  Gareth has compiled a list of five themes for consideration when looking to support dyslexic learners beyond the quick process fixes, such as font, background colour and readily available assistive technology 

Tips for Teachers 

• Identify their strengths and champion them. Instead of focusing on weaknesses, watch for moments to catch learners doing something well and celebrate their successes. This can help shift the narrative away from a deficit model and toward a strengths-based approach. By providing opportunities for learners to utilise their strengths in learning, we can help support them in their academic journey.  
• It is important to get to know your dyslexic learners and understand their approaches to learning. This includes talking to them about their fears and concerns in the classroom and helping them identify and implement strategies that work best for them. Instead of relying on binary assessments, try to approach learning with the mindset that there is no single way to reach an outcome. By taking the time to understand your learners and helping them develop personalised strategies, you can better support and empower them in their learning.  
• By learning about dyslexia and gaining an increased awareness and understanding of what it looks and feels like, we can inform our teaching, learning, and assessment in a more effective and empathetic way. Whether through formal or informal learning, this insight can have a real-time and long-term impact on the dyslexic learners we work with. By being curious and open to learning about dyslexia, we can further facilitate and enable these learners to thrive.  
• Contextualising content and material around a learner's passions or interests can help foster engagement and create a connection between the value or utility of English and math. By tailoring the learning material to a learner's interests, we may be able to increase their motivation and engagement in these subjects.  
• Creating a safe learning environment where it is okay to make mistakes can encourage dyslexic learners to take risks and be vulnerable in their learning. By promoting a growth mindset, we can help dyslexic learners view challenges as opportunities for growth and build confidence in their ability to improve. This can be a powerful tool in accelerating their learning and development. 
  

You can listen to Gareth’s podcast here: A Personal Experience of Dyslexia | Insights Podcast

ESOL Learners and Functional Maths 

In the third episode I talk with Eve Sheppard, Practitioner Educator at Oldham College about supporting ESOL learners with Functional maths and the issues that arise. Here are Eve’s tips on supporting ESOL learners in the maths classroom. 

Tips for Teachers 

• Use visuals and worked examples to support your learners. 
• Speak slowly 
• Don’t take anything for granted; ask lots of questions and check for understanding regularly.  
• Allow the learners to have processing time. 
• Take extra time to plan how you are going to explain key concepts. Try to predict difficulties your learners might have. 
• Ask students to highlight unfamiliar vocabulary on practice tests and worksheets. This can throw up unexpected answers. e.g. shaded, the rest, routes, items, shelf, donated, vase 
• Provide opportunities to practice and learn the language of maths; encourage the learners to keep a list with translations. 

You can listen to Eve’s podcast here. 

Dyspraxia, A Parental View 

Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a hidden condition that affects fine and/or gross motor skills. It can affect people differently and cause difficulties in many areas, for example: balance and movement, handwriting, learning new tasks, organisational skills and emotions. In a later episode I will be talking to Melinda Briggs whose son has dyspraxia. She has compiled a list of tips for teachers. 

Tips for Teachers 

Give time for processing/thinking in class (when asking questions of learners) 

Don't give more than one task to do at a time or long tasks (short attention span) 

Give breaks, writing can be exhausting, as can thinking 

Write things down rather than give verbal instructions (they may have difficulty following instructions) 

Praise your learners 

Deaf Awareness 

Deaf learners can struggle with accessing lessons without careful consideration from the teacher. In addition, there may be struggles with language in the English classroom similar to that of ESOL learners. In a later episode I will be talking to Angela Watson, a teacher of the deaf. She has compiled a list of tips for teachers. 

Tips for Teachers 

• Face the student as most will have to rely on lip pattern  
• Do not stand with the window behind you as this casts a shadow over your face making it difficult to see your lips.   
• Do not talk and write on the board and the same time. Students won’t be able to follow. 
• Do not walk around the room whilst talking.  
• Check excess noise. For example, open windows, open doors with corridor noise. 
• Ask open questions to check for understanding    
• When changing the subject (for example, talking about homework) write topic word on the board.  Always easier to follow with a visual prompt.  
• When working in groups let them use the corner of the room, this will absorb excess sound. 

Dyscalculia 

While researching an upcoming podcast on dyscalculia, I spoke to Esther Tombs, Maths Teacher at Hartpury College, about how she supports learners with dyscalculia in her classroom. These are her top tips. 

Tips for Teachers 

• I find that these learners perform better using the online exams as the 'copy to' button on the calculator means they have less chance of miscopying numbers.  
• Another thing I’ve been trialling with all students is getting better number fluency for the non-calculator paper. So I’ve been using primary school starters that are in theory too easy, to give learners the opportunity to succeed. The sheets I use gradually get harder and it has really helped those with maths anxiety (a big part of dyscalculia) to feel confident to have a go. I’ve also noticed a knock-on effect of having a more positive mindset for the rest of the lesson as they have already ‘succeeded’. 
• I’m always asking why to help understanding. Students with dyscalculia often find it difficult to explain why but we make it an everyday part of the lesson. I always allow them to not know or to explain it incorrectly but it helps me understand the way their brain is working and gives me opportunity to address any misconceptions if I can get them to explain what made them choose that method. 

Reasonable Adjustments 

In addition to the podcasts, Pearson has also released a webinar about Reasonable Adjustments for Functional Skills Assessment to provide you with the information you need to see who is eligible for a reasonable adjustment, what reasonable adjustments are available and how to apply for them. Watch it now on YouTube. 
 
On that note there is just time to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Functional Skills team at Pearson. We look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Chris Briggs - Product Manager Post 16 English, Maths and Digital Skills