Teaching learners to become motivated and effective learners is a primary role of teachers. It could be argued that until now, the process of learning as a skill in its own right has generally been of secondary importance to the learning of subject knowledge and key facts. As evidence from scientific research and classroom practice have been increasingly aligned and interwoven, a number of barriers have been overcome. The most notable advances have been in the fields of thinking skills and assessment for learning.

Both the thinking skills and assessment for learning movements are well established, and are now a key focus of the DfES agenda for educational transformation in the new century. There is well-documented and substantial qualitative and quantitative evidence to show that the use of associated strategies and methodology with learners in the classroom raises their motivation and performance. The characterising features of both initiatives overlap considerably so that each actively supports and reinforces the other.

This course offers practical advice and support and introduces strategies which can be immediately used in the classroom. It includes:

•  An active approach to Thinking Skills and Assesment for Learning

•  Support to increase teacher confidence in developing thinking

•  Practical experience and ideas for teaching approaches and activities

•  To outline the fundamental principles of developing quality thinking and assessment for learning in the classroom

•  Increased understanding of how to translate the principles into practice

•  Understanding the characterising features of both initiatives

•  Introducing practical techniques and strategies to use in the classroom

•  How to manage effective inclusive groupwork in the classroom

Dr. Julia Fardy graduated from University of Swansea with an initial degree in Physics with Medical Physics and a PhD in Biomagnetism. She has taught for 10 years in 3 LEAs. In this time, she has held posts as in-school Cognitive Acceleration in Science Education (CASE) co-ordinator, LEA CASE co-ordinator, KS3 Advisory teacher for Science with Cardiff LEA and Head of Science. Julia has worked closely with King's College London for the past 6 years and is a CASE tutor and member of the CASE network.

Julia has a track record of increasing pupil achievement and engagement in science through motivating, challenging and supporting teachers in using active styles of learning, thinking skills and effective learning strategies. She has considerable experience in promoting thinking skills in cross-curricular and cross-phase contexts and led county-wide training on Literacy for Science and Assessment for Learning. Her wide teaching experience spans from KS1 through to KS4 and A Level.

As a result of her varied teaching roles, Julia is acutely aware of the demands on all teachers; her coaching methods with teachers have helped transform departments, encourage innovation and improve the quality of learning that takes place in classrooms.