Educational Conference in London

“As Chairman of ESSARP, The English Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate, I was offered the possibility of attending an educational conference in London on the topic of “Visible Learning and Leadership”. The conference lasted four days and amongst others, keynote speeches were given by John Hattie (author of “Visible Learning for Teachers”, maximizing impact on learning) and Sir Michael Barber, a former Minister of Education in Britain and a worldwide consultant on educational reform.

Visible Learning (www.visiblelearningplus.com) is “When teachers see learning through the eyes of students and when students see themselves as their own teachers”…not so distant from “Aprender a Aprender”. John Hattie is one of the most important educational researchers of today with more than 250,000 pieces of evidence/data. He shared his findings about those factors that have the greatest impact on learning: peer tutoring, feedback, teacher credibility, self-reported expectations, classroom discussion, and teacher student relationships, to name but a few. Overall, a fascinating experience backed at all times by credible research.

Workshops complemented the keynote addresses and practical advice and examples were offered that demonstrated how schools had incorporated this way of working. Last year, I attended a conference on “Visible Thinking Routines”. This has been taken on board in our plans for 2014 and prepares the way to consider further strategies towards becoming a Visible Learning School.”

Steven Page, P.G.C.E
BDS’ Academic Coordinator & Headmaster, Middle & Senior