Set Up Google Authorship to Appear in Search Results
Posted by Violetta Konar
Have you noticed an increasing number of search results with a nice profile image and the individual’s name next to them?
A handy feature by Google, the Authorship lets you connect your profile to your content. As seen in the image, this allows Teachable founder Edward and his resources to immediately stand out.
Even when the post appears further down in the results, you are immediately drawn to it.
With an increasing number of teachers using search to find the specific teaching resources they require, we will be making a number of improvements to increase the visibility of our pages. However, the sooner you will take advantage of the Google Authorship, the sooner you will distinguish yourself and your content on the web.
If you’re not convinced, check out these relevant 10 Reasons Writers Should Claim Their Google Authorship Markup.
To set this up, you need to follow the simple steps:
- Create a Google+ profile with the email you use on Teachable.
- Let us know once you’ve done so and we’ll create a Teachable email for you to connect your profiles.
- Upload a great photo of yourself. Remember others will see it on the web.
- Link to your Teachable page by adding it to the “Contributor to” section.
- Sign up for Authorship.
That should do the trick. You will now be appearing in search results across the web and attracting more attention to your high quality lesson materials.
Any problems or questions? Drop me an email at violetta@teachable.net.
April 18, 2013 at 10:53 am | Contributing | No comment
£150,000 Funding Available to Let Teachers Shine
Posted by Violetta Konar
Do you have an exciting project in mind to teach writing, reading, or science? Be it for the groups or for individual students, after school or during class, you can apply for a funding of up to £15,000 to get your idea off the ground.
An annual national funding competition, Let Teachers SHINE is looking for the most innovative teachers from across the country and has up to £150,000 available to support great ideas to help raise the attainment of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Organised by SHINE and the TES, this year’s competition is focused on innovative teaching ideas in literacy, numeracy or science.
Last year they received over 100 applications but this year they’re aiming to make the competition bigger and better. It’s free to enter so there’s nothing to lose. The deadline is on Sunday 19 May but the application form is quite long so start yours early!
For more information on the competition and how to apply, download the leaflet Let Teachers SHINE 2013 and visit the SHINE website.
April 13, 2013 at 6:36 pm | UK teaching | No comment
Become a GCSE Examiner
Posted by Violetta Konar
Pearson is recruiting GCSE History, Geography, Mathematics and Statistics examiners to help mark examinations for summer 2013. This is a great opportunity for a Qualified teacher to develop your career whilst having the flexibility of working from home over the summer.
Being an examiner can inspire fresh ideas and new approaches to teaching your subject.
The marking period is between May – July and training will take place between May and June.
For more information please follow the below links:
Alternatively visit their recruitment website: Working for Edexcel
April 12, 2013 at 10:35 am | Humanities, Maths, UK teaching | No comment
March Contributor of the Month: Louise Edgeworth
Posted by Violetta Konar
Each month we present one of the Teachable contributors, giving you the opportunity to find out more about the people who have been dedicated to growing our teaching resources collection.
This month we talked to Louise Edgeworth who first joined Teachable in 2009. Louise qualified in 1994 and after teaching in a variety of 11-18 comprehensives, became a head of Biology. In 2010 she moved to her current post in a private 6th form college, teaching A levels to international students, which was a great opportunity for her to concentrate on what she really liked. After teaching for nearly 20 years, Louise will be taking a plunge this year to focus on her private tutoring business.
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What encouraged you to start contributing teaching resources to Teachable in the first place?
LE: I was looking round for a resource to help with a lesson and came across Teachable during an internet search. I signed up and downloaded a file (can’t remember which one now, but probably something by Toby Tufton). I browsed around and realised that I had lots of resources of my own which were suitable. So I uploaded them and was thrilled when they sold in quite large quantities.
You have 36 pages of a large number of high quality Biology teaching resources. What are your top 3 resources of all time and why?
LE: The Carriage of Oxygen in the blood (interestingly this was my first contribution to teachable); Plant Growth Factors and Control of body temperature in mammals. They are the ones I am most proud of, I think Oxygen is the biggest seller too.
What drew you to education and, specifically, to becoming a teacher?
LE: I wanted to get across my love of Biology to anyone who would listen. That desire is still there, 19 years after I qualified.
What inspires you when you create and share your own resources?
LE: I think along the lines of simple presentation, key facts only; lots of picture/animations/videos to help students visualise difficult concepts; making it interesting and short. Highlighting key terminology they need to use in the exam.
In which direction do you picture your teaching to go?
LE: I am leaving full time teaching at the end of this year to concentrate on my private tuition business. I am also interested in publishing and writing new resources.
What advice would you give to a teacher who is struggling with having enough time to prepare for classes?
LE: Develop a set of templates for activities which go well (interactive quizzes for example) these are then very quickly customised for different lessons. Make full use of all the resources out there – teachable for example. Lots of superb animations and videos are there too, there are sites with animated tutorials which guide students through a topic with minimum input from you. Do not think you have to re-invent the wheel every time – plunder as many ready made resources as you can. Ask more experienced colleagues for their resources. You definitely do not have to make everything yourself.
If you’d be a Secretary of State for Education, what would be your top two priorities to do?
LE: First – scrap league tables; Second – expand the number and type of vocational courses and apprenticeships available and hopefully develop a culture in which these are seen as equivalent and valuable as academic courses.
What do you do to wind down after a hectic day?
LE: Read, play silly games on my ipad, talk to my family.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t asked?
LE: When planning, make sure they are doing the work in a lesson, not you! Lots of activities they can do with minimum input from you.
Thanks for your time, Louise! We wish you all the best with the private tuition business and if you haven’t yet, check out Louise’s resources on Teachable.
Other Contributors of the Month:
- January’s Contributor of the Month: James Ferguson
- Introducing First Contributor of the Month: Henry Cordy-McKenna
Is there a contributor you think should be highlighted on our blog? Give me a shout at violetta@teachable.net.
March 31, 2013 at 5:00 pm | Contributors, Science | No comment
Resources for Nepalese Curriculum Grade 9-10
Posted by Violetta Konar
In previous post we covered resources suitable for the Nepalese curriculum grade 6-8. Here we will look at further resources suitable for higher grade 9-10.
| English Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Preposition Pairs And Example Uses: This interactive presentation introduces prepositions and explains their use to describe relative positions. There are clear and colourful examples to consolidate knowledge in a fun manner. The ending includes a fully interactive quiz which could be used as a plenary. |
 | Of Mice And Men Essay Planner: A pack of worksheets which form a plan for writing an essay about the opening of 'Of Mice and Men'. This can be used for a piece of GCSE coursework or as exam practice. |
| Physics Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Measurements And Density Sheets: Information sheets setting out what students are required to know about units, taking measurements, useful physics equations and density. There are two separate files which total 14 pages, and which are designed to be easy to understand and to provide excellent reference material for coursework or revision. |
 | What Is An Electrical Circuit?: Class presentation using an animated diagram to show how electrons move energy around a circuit, how to measure current, the functions of different components in an electrical circuit and their symbols. It also includes a brief introduction into Ohm's law and current-voltage graphs for 3 components. It has practice questions throughout. |
| Chemistry Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Introduction To Chemical Reactions: An introduction to simple chemical reactions and word equations. Useful links to video clips of reactions of rubidium and caesium with water. |
 | Electrolysis - Summary: Great visual presentation with embedded animations showing Ions in solution, Cations and Anions, and Electrolysis. The two one slide electrolysis animations are: Purification of Copper & Electrolysis of Aluminium. |
| Biology Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Meiosis And Gametes: Includes animations to show the cells at each stage of meiosis as well as explaining how gametes are formed. There is also an activity sheet with questions about mitosis and meiosis which can be used to revise once both topics have been covered, and a diagram of cells during meiosis to test pupil understanding. |
 | Blood And Its Circulation: Class presentation describing the circulatory system, structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins. Diagram of heart, with explanation of its function. Also covers the composition of blood and mechanism of clotting. |
| Mathematics Resources | |
|---|---|
 | S1 Probability - Venn And Tree Diagrams: Presentations working through an introduction to probability, diagrams and conditional probability. |
 | Basic Trigonometry: Explanation of why Pythagoras, COS, SIN and TAN ratios work, how to use them, and worked examples. |
March 23, 2013 at 4:18 pm | Maths, Science, Teaching Ideas | No comment
Resources for Nepalese Curriculum Grade 6-8
Posted by Violetta Konar
As part of our partnership with the Pahar Trust Nepal charity to share top quality teaching resources with schools and teachers in Nepal, we have selected a few resources that match the Nepalese curriculum grade 6-8.
| English Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Apostrophes: Possession Or Contraction: For teaching apostrophes for possession in both singular and plural nouns, and then for contracting words. Interactive example sentences will help to consolidate pupils' knowledge of the rules regarding the use of apostrophes. The ends of the presentations include a challenge which can be used as either a class, group or individual activity to practice using apostrophes. |
 | English Grammar: Designed to give students clear, straightforward and thorough guidance on: the parts of speech and their role; sentences and their constituent parts; and punctuation. A range of linked activities provide opportunities for consolidation and assessment. Subject matter is set out in short, logical and accessible units with illustrations, and can be used alongside any scheme of work. |
| Physics Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Magnetism And Electromagnetism: A presentation describing magnetic fields and generators. It includes magnets, magnetic fields, and the motor effect. There are several diagrams and animations showing the magnetic fields. There is an auto date function on each of the 9 slides. |
 | Sound: Covers basic facts about sound, sound as a wave, the ear, vibrations, pitch, musical instruments and sonar. |
| Chemistry Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Introducing Chemistry: Collection of question-based summaries of key chemistry topics. Useful for revision of basic concepts. Includes: classifying matter; acids, alkalis and salts; reactions and equations; metals. |
 | Elements, Mixtures And Compounds: Resource begins with how to recognise a chemical reaction, then dicusses John Dalton's recognition of elements, the formation of compounds, and definitions of mixtures. It also outlines a practical to form MgO which asks students to calculate the amount of oxygen required. This could be a useful introduction to chemical formulae. |
| Biology Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Cells: An Introduction: Simple, bright animations to introduce the basic properties of cells: membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm and cell division. |
 | Lifecycles Of Plants And Animals: A simple introduction to growing and changing. The slides take students through the life cycles of a butterfly, plant and frog. An activity at the end reinforces the concept of a lifecycle. |
| Mathematics Resources | |
|---|---|
 | Circle Theorems: Class presentation on key circle and angle theorems and their uses. It also includes definitions of radius, diameter, chord, tangent, segment and sector, as well as explanations of internal angles of a circle. |
 | Polygon Areas: A series of dynamic visual representations designed to give visual learners mental images which they can recall and use to work out how to find the area of a rectangle, parallellogram or triangle for themselves without having to remember a formula. The rectangle area model uses the standard 'counting squares' approach, while the parallelogram and triangle are based on a 'shearing' image. |
March 19, 2013 at 9:56 am | Maths, Science, Teaching Ideas | 1 comment
VCOP Pyramid Improves Literacy
Posted by Violetta Konar
A VCOP pyramid is a simple but great visual tool to help children improve their writing voice. It’s based on the scheme created by Ros Wilson that focuses on four key ingredients for raising literacy standards: vocabulary, connectives, openers and punctuation. Targeted at KS1 and KS2 students, the VCOP pyramid acts as an instant reference point for writing activities.
The Four Elements of VCOP
Vocabulary – teaching children ambitious and impressive words
Connectives – teaching unusual words and phrases for connecting sentences and statements
Openers – teaching great and different sentence starters
Punctuation – teaching a wide range of and a right punctuation
VCOP Pyramid for Class Use
Print out and glue together our 3D VCOP pyramid that can be used as a display resource or placed on desks for individual and group tasks. This handy pack was contributed by Martin Green.
Colour coded levels make it easy to track all elements of the same level, and you can complement the VCOP pyramid with punctuation and connective fans, whilst using other teaching resources to improve KS1 English grammar: adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and adjectives.
As always with learning new and challenging vocabulary, repeat, repeat, repeat! Your children will be able to understand how to use it appropriately and make a progress in writing.
March 12, 2013 at 9:22 am | Teaching Ideas | No comment
Interactive Music Lessons
Posted by Violetta Konar
MusiCan is a fantastic suite of animated learning software products that were launched on Teachable. Interactive music teaching resources cover basic concepts from pitch and pulse to dynamics and rests through singing games, tapping rhythms, creating sounds and other engaging activities.
Targeted at pre-school and KS1 Level, MusiCan offers a comprehensive curriculum with visually appealing lessons. Children are taken on a fun musical journey through various themes in which musical knowledge and skills are developed. They are encouraged to listen with attention to sounds found in the environment and find new ways of using sound in composing.
You can begin with teaching how to identify and create new sounds by visiting animals at a farm and listening to transport sounds in town
In another animated lesson learn your do, re, me, fa and sol with coloured birds that represent the notes in a musical scale.
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Later you can join tas and tees to follow rhythms and recognise musical phrases.
Created by an award-winning entrepreneur John Hesnan of Inspired Solutions, MusiCan uses animation, visual cues, sound effects, repetition, song, roleplay and actions to communicate learning points
The lesson plans have been specifically designed to cater for non-specialist and specialist early years practitioners and are suitable for teaching small and large groups of learners.
All resources are also great for SEN, ESL/ELL students and each module’s lesson plan includes further guidance to facilitate creative development.
There are a few resources available to try for free before they go on sale so grab a few copies and leave your feedback to the contributor.
February 28, 2013 at 9:14 pm | Contributors, Teaching Ideas | No comment
TeachMeet BETT 2013 Highlights
Posted by Violetta Konar
Every time I go to TeachMeet events there is always a fantastic atmosphere created by the most enthusiastic educational professionals out there, and this one was no exception. If you’re wondering what you missed out on, you can view the recorded livestream on YouTube (minus the first 20 minutes due to technical difficulties) and I’ve gathered a few tools worth mentioning.
BATTT by @mrlockyer and @mrwaldram
Stephan Lockyer and Ben Waldram presented their new initiative to Bring A Teacher To Twitter. Such a great idea! Get involved if you have colleagues who have never tried Twitter or are dubious about its benefits.
HTML5 Presentations by @mberry
Miles Berry demonstrated how Hackasaurus makes it easy to review and redesign any website, and introduced Impress.js for creating presentations in your browser. Impress.js has been inspired by Prezi but is completely free right now and allows animating in 3D.
Used by @KateRussell for an advert promoting her new book and mentioned by others at the event, PowToon is a DIY presentation tool. It has an easy drag-and-drop function so you can create marketing videos, presentations, or cool clips for your class and website.
ClassDojo keeps gaining popularity and this is not the first event where I’ve seen this behaviour management software. Teachers have been keen to embrace and share it with others so it’s not surprising its popularity has skyrocketed.
Thanks to everyone who made it such an enjoyable and successful evening.
February 5, 2013 at 2:44 pm | Teaching Ideas, UK teaching | No comment
Teachable Guide for BETT Show 2013
Posted by Violetta Konar
From my first impressions on the opening day of BETT Show at ExCel London, there is a huge focus on massive interactive whiteboards and touchscreens, cloud and back up services, and improved data management and security. There are plenty of smaller companies around (especially at both ends of the floor) but keep your eyes open for the ones hidden between big brands and their oversized stands.
If you’re stuck for the ideas what to see, we’ve highlighted a few exhibitors who caught our attention.
Primary exhibitors
TAP-IT 4 ★
Check out their touchscreens that differentiate between intended and accidental touches. Great for anyone with physical and developmental disabilities. Stand: B132.
Compedia 4 ★
Compedia offers a great range of interactive and technological solutions from apps and games to training platforms for SEN and online content. Stand: C351H.
Mathletics by 3P Learning Ltd 5 ★
Mathletics is great for improving children’s maths skills and allows competing against kids around the world online. Try out their Live Competition at the Show to win some great prizes. Stand: E10.
Monkey Tales Games 5 ★
Visit this little green jungle to discover how European schoolbook publisher Die Kreuen has managed to combine the world of gaming and learning. Stand: E350.
Secondary exhibitors
Hue 4 ★
Hue Animation Studio is for anyone interested in a stop motion animation kits. They are offering a free trial if you visit their stand. (All levels, also suitable for SEN) Stand: B114.
Skoogmusic 5 ★
A great new musical instrument that enables children of all abilities play music and explore sounds by using any part of their body. Stand: B129
Doddle by Boardworks Ltd 4 ★
Recently launched Doddle provides lesson and homework resources on their very orange website (it’s the colour of Teachable.net as well) across all subjects. You can enter their prize draw to win one-year subscription at their stand. Stand: A125.
Useful links and Twitter hashtags
Unofficial Guide to BETT 2013 by Terry Freedman (ICT in Education)
#BETTChat archive with tips and advice
Whilst the official hashtag seems to be #bett_show (as used by @Bett_show), check out #bettshow and #bett2013 for any hidden tips and information, and #bettarena for discussions taking place at BETT Arena (you won’t miss it whilst walking around)
I hope you will enjoy your visit and find a range of inspiring products and services.
January 31, 2013 at 12:36 pm | UK teaching | No comment
