Michael Fordham

If AI is being used extensively in office jobs, then should we be letting students use AI in the classroom?

No - here's why.

With reference to 3 papers that show what you do in a job isn't the template for what you do in the classroom.

substack.nomoremarking.com/p/education-...

The people who think students will find a curriculum based on workplace training more engaging should go into schools and deliver a drop-down day, leading sessions on writing an application, interview skills etc.

*Of course* school prepares children for their futures, but not by being a mini workplace. It’s by giving them a breadth of foundational knowledge and experience across the big, enduring disciplines and human pursuits. The kinds of things they won’t get chance to learn about or experience at work.

After Virtue one of the books that most influenced my thinking on teaching.

I think it's correct that the model is most appropriate for teaching procedures, and I see it used most powerfully in subjects such as maths.

Thrilled to be receivin first copies a real team effort by so many great history teachers and educators @victoriacrooks.bsky.social @lauralondo1017.bsky.social @paulalobo.bsky.social @danlyndon.bsky.social @mrmayhew.bsky.social @michaelfordham.bsky.social Dedicated to the great Helen Snelson

We're currently neck-deep in Asterix

Just in case anyone else is looking for recommendations for books to read to young children.

English translations of this series exist and the stories are absolutely great. I think the beaver is renamed Harvey in English.

Quentin Blake’s books are all great.

A classic and rightly so

Lots of sentimentalism

Good books in rhyme. Used from about 18 months up but still being read at 4/5.

The six year old got into this series and obviously the three year old wanted to listen in. Makes for a longer bed time story but very good for a train journey.

Barnett and Klassen books are weirdly funny for both adults and younger children

Really great

Books that make you go gooey inside.

Fun and environmentally conscious

Similar vibes from these two.

We have his books mostly in German but they’re all English in the original and they’re all great.

Big fan of Benjie Davies.

Grabbing a few favourites off the shelf (ours are now 7 and 4 but all of these were being used from 2 up to about 5). First up is an absolute favourite.

5 different emails from recruitment agencies today, offering me ECTs - PLEASE don’t come via agencies, just come and drop in - we welcome visitors. We aren’t the polished, slick school yet but we’re great to work for, full of heart and keen to get better.

I won’t waste public money on finders fees!

New blog! ‘The Teachers’ knowledge that has no name’.

What should we call this knowledge?

heatherfblog.wordpress.com/2025/02/23/t...

With special thanks to @michaelfordham.bsky.social

Glad you enjoyed it - but I’m not surprised!

Teachers and the Academic Disciplines Alasdair MacIntyre's argument, that teaching is not a social practice, has been extensively criticised, and indeed teaching is normally understood more generally to be a form of generic activity that...

My own (non empirical) take on it is here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

One of the challenges is that we invariably end up using proxies for subject specialism, but these proxies are not particularly useful, particularly outside more hierarchical subjects. I think the key for me would be an ongoing immersion in the subject, but that's almost impossible to measure.

Basilica Cistern an absolute must. Really spectacular.

Reynolds Empire of Liberty?

I've not been involved so couldn't possibly comment. But I kind of think that is what unions exist to do: collect views of members, agree on a common position, and then negotiate based on that. I'd be interested to see where NEU or NASUWT fall at the moment on flexibility vs fixed hours debate.