Teaching is difficult, as anyone who has ever done it will be able to tell you. It’s rewarding as well of course, and can even be a genuine pleasure when everything goes just right, but holding the attention of a classroom full of kids in a manner sufficiently rigorous to impart the required learning is a complex and specialised task. That’s why teachers are always grateful to accept support, particularly if that support is as tailored, tested and specialised as the FutureSchool system. When comparing it to a custom made armchair, I’m attempting to capture the fact that the system offers not only support but comfort, the comfort of knowing you can relax and simply get on with the task in hand. In this case, the task in hand is teaching maths and English to pupils from year1-13, and the online systems of FutureSchool are flexible and rigorous enough for teachers to be able to tailor the use of the system to exactly meet the needs of individual pupils.
By combining the latest technology with tried and tested teaching methods, FutureSchool has been supporting teachers for over 25 years now and these are just a few of the reasons why the support it offers is so valued and effective:
Comprehensive
One of the chief advantages of the FutureSchool system is the sheer depth of material that’s been built up over the years. Since the system was designed by teachers, every facet of each subject is included, which means you’ll never be at a loss when it comes to shaping lessons or dealing with the individual needs of pupils. In maths, this means drawing upon material covering areas as diverse as basic numbers and shapes at one end of the spectrum and advanced calculus at the other, whilst the English content ranges from simple spelling all the way up to the demands of creative writing.
Curriclum Based
No matter where in the world you’re based, FutureSchool will have content which is attuned precisely to your local curriculum. This means that the material will be exactly right no matter where you’re based and it also means that, once you’ve sampled the comfort and support of this particular armchair, you’ll be able to pick it up and take it with you no matter where in the world you’re teaching.
Customised
At the beginning of a course the teacher can either select material based upon their own understanding of an individual pupil’s ability or, in the case of the maths content, can utilise an initial assessment. Being based upon the current years work, this assessment will produce a written report detailing precisely where the strengths and weaknesses of the pupil lie. Once this is in place, the course can be created, with a smart diagnostic assessment tool drawing up a customised study plan which the pupil can then work through independently. The system is such that every member of a study group can have a different plan, all centrally controlled by the teacher.
Variety of Resources
Different people learn at a different rate and in different ways. FutureSchool allows for this fact by offering lessons via a selection of different media. Full advantage is taken of the available technology, with pupils able to interact and take ownership of the learning by working at their own rate. As well as shorter ‘practice’ lessons enabling pupils to ease themselves into a days learning, the system also offers video tutorials which meet the task of offering solid, one on one teaching in a manner which provides complete flexibility for the learner concerned.
Flexible
Flexibility, in general terms, is one of the most supportive facets of the system. Teachers using it can relax in the knowledge that their pupils can study and work just as easily (and effectively) at home as they can in the classroom. The other flexibility inherent in the system is that it can be used to plan a whole terms work, or simply to put together a shorter revision plan or homework course.
Self-engaged
The fact that pupils engage directly with the system in the classroom, and can guide themselves through the various lessons, means the teacher is free to offer individual one on one support to those pupils who may need it. Put simply, it’s like having an individual classroom assistant for each and every pupil.
Intuitive Interface
The intuitive interface employed by the system means that it’s quick and easy for pupils to pick up. The fact that it’s so easy to learn to use means that teachers won’t have to waste time which could be better spent teaching maths and English. In fact, the system as a whole offers so much in the way of support that most teachers will wonder how they got by without it – a bit like that favourite armchair of yours.
If you’d like to know more about FutureSchool, or have your own experience of the support it offers, then send us a tweet @futureschool.
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