The Learning Rainforest: Great Teaching in Real Classrooms

De: Tom Sherrington

Narrado por: Oliver Caviglioli

The Learning Rainforest is renowned educator Tom Sherrington's attempt to capture various different elements of our understanding and experience of teaching. It is a celebration of great teaching - the joy of it and the intellectual and personal rewards that teaching brings.

©2023 Tom Sherrington (P)2023 John Catt Educational

Has Vision, But Can It Weather the AI Storm?

Sherrington's passion for teaching is evident throughout the book. He provides a compelling argument for creating dynamic and engaging learning environments that foster deep understanding and critical thinking. The distinction between "Mode A" (teacher-led instruction) and "Mode B" (student-centered exploration) offers a useful framework for educators to balance different instructional approaches.

The 60 practical strategies in the book's second part can serve as valuable tools for teachers looking to enhance their classroom practices. These strategies are grounded in research and Sherrington's experiences, making them credible and actionable.

However, in a post-COVID context, where educational inequities have been starkly highlighted, the book's focus on ideal conditions for learning may seem overly optimistic and not fully attuned to the challenges of diverse classrooms. The pandemic has exacerbated disparities in access to technology, support, and resources, and Sherrington's strategies may need adaptation to be relevant and effective in these varied contexts. Also, in an era where AI can instantly provide information and even engage in basic analysis, the goal of creating "philosopher kids" may need recalibration.

Although many of the practices could be translated to primary teachers, this felt geared toward the secondary school range of educators.