CPD TRAINING IN DUBAI EXCEEDS
EXPECTATIONS
A
CPD workshop entitled
‘Enabling
Environments’
held in Dubai recently
proved so popular that pre-
registrations reached capacity before
the event, with teachers from across the
region having to go on a reserve list.
Organised by UK-based sector provider
of storage systems and staging,
Gratnells, the event saw 62 teachers
enjoy presentations delivered by
Nicola Reynolds, a qualified teacher
and trainer, working for Quest, a Dubai
based training organisation.The event
was held at the showroom facility of
EduFun, a Gratnells and EDX local
distributor and ran for two and a half
hours, split into 2 sessions.
The first session was ‘Making Maths
active’, and Nicola explained how
to inspire young children in their
understanding, and participation
in Maths. Various techniques were
explored using EDX manipulatives,
and teachers particularly liked the
number strings, geometric shapes,
and interlocking cubes.
The event was held at
the showroom facility of
EduFun, a Gratnells and
EDX local distributor and
ran for two and a half
hours, split into 2 sessions.
Teachers agreed that using play, and
collaborative activities, was a great way
to break down any pre-conceptions
about Maths being difficult, or not
interesting. Edx Geostix were used to
explore geometric shapes and basic
algebra, introducing new vocabulary,
and offering fun ways to make genuine
mathematical geometric shapes.
The second session was based
on ‘Enabling Environments’, and
explored the opportunities to use
teaching spaces to engage children,
making them feel safe and involved
in the teaching process. Safety and
security was identified as a critical
early need – children who are at ease
will learn much better, and associate
school with a positive environment.
Identity and ownership was also
highlighted as a critical component of
the classroom atmosphere. A place
to store personal things, and pieces
of work, is seen as critical – usually
a storage tray, with the students’
name on it. Pieces of work, from the
classroom, displayed on the walls give
a sense of pride and belonging
Less formal classroom styles allow for
more flexibility in teaching methods,
and also allow the teacher to express