Testimonials from the
'Engaged Learning Environment' course
I found the videos to be really inspiring and helpful and some of the articles - especially on praise - to be really thought-provoking! The psychology and language used in teaching is far more than what we just assume at face value and I found it helpful to really have literature to make me evaluate my existing practices.
Also, the gentle reminder that basics and simplicity are sometimes the most effective things we can work on, and everything else will follow. I am determined and positive that this year will be a great one in terms of seeing positive change Alicia Jordan, Goulburn High School, Jan 2019
The biggest strengths of this course is it's promotion of positive relationships between students and teachers through the behaviour management strategies taught. The fact that it is spread out over 16 weeks allows sufficient time to implement strategies, reflect on their effectiveness and improve them for future use. I have definitely been inspired to be more positive with students. I have already implemented a number of changes that have been highly effective in improving engagement and relationships so would say it's absolutely created a positive change for me. This course has also really helped define what an independent learner should look like. The phrase is often thrown around schools but I don't think it is actually unpacked sufficiently to give teachers strategies that can be used effectively in class. I have already implemented the strategies taught in the course to create more autonomous students in all of my classes and will continue to persist with them as I can already see huge benefits. Adriana Carle, Parkdale Secondary College, July 2018
I thought this was a fantastic course and great for every teacher, from the beginner to the experienced. I liked that it considered both the teacher who needs to focus on behaviour as well as the teacher whose major concern in engagement. The best part of this course is the specific examples given. It is so easy for information to say "praise your students" but it can be difficult to know exactly how to do this and what words to use. This course does exactly that- gives phrases, words and ideas on how to implement the strategies. I also found this course to be very encouraging and it provides a safe online environment where I felt open to share my issues or concerns with classes, without judgement. I think this was also attributed to how open the course facilitator is with their own past experiences, reflections and evaluations. There was a good balance between information given and the amount of feedback or input required in order to get the most out of the course. I am definitely inspired by this course and I feel more equipped and confident to engage and manage students in the classroom. Laura Drake-Brockman, Hunter River High School, Create an engaged learning environment’, Nov 2017
I thought it was an excellent course. Being able to complete it over several months and online was very good for teachers like myself who are in regional areas. I really liked the videos. Seeing examples of struggling teachers and excellent teachers gave a real contrast and a goal to aspire to. The course has made me really think about how I manage my classroom and how to engage the less enthusiastic ones more effectively. It was nice to have a facilitator with a sense of humour! Andrew Shumack, Snowy Mountains Christian School, June 2018
There was a lot of information and a nice balance between activities, articles and videos. It was great to see some teaching practice and the analysis of that through the videos. I really think this course should be something that is compulsory for ALL staff to do. It allows you to be reflective and think about your own teaching practices as well as others. I was able to reinforce and re-focus on some of the strategies I use now that needed a little more "tidying up". Jessica Neubert, Murwillumbah High School, Aug 2018
The best aspects of the course were the videos. It makes it so much easier to see strategies in action than just read about them and then try to implement from what you read. The course has helped me implement strategies that are actually creating positive change in my classroom and slowly but surely turning around a number of those difficult students. Jack McMaster, Wadalba Community School, 22.7.18
The course has been super helpful in identifying and using new strategies to better the learning process for my students and to maximise their engagement while keeping management to a minimum. The best aspects of the course were seeing the strategies-in-action in videos and the contributions from course colleagues. I have begun seeing dramatic changes already in my classroom when utilising these strategies.
Kaan Ozserim, James Cooke Boys High School, ‘Create an engaged learning environment’, Dec 2016
This is the best course I have ever done! A course so incredibly well organised, with terrific instructional videos, thought-provoking exercises and constant constructive feedback. As Head Teacher Welfare … what is the most important thing that we can be doing for our most difficult of children? ... being kind, being encouraging, being positive, listening, helping, doing everything we can to bring out the best not only in our students, but in ourselves. This course has been an eye-opener in the most fundamental of ways - our humanity and our kindness can change lives. Thank you Richard, I will be watching out for more courses that you have developed. Brigid Mora (Head of Welfare), Kingswood High School, June 2017
I must say this is the best course I have ever done. I am definitely inspired by this course to the point where I talk to my colleagues about it and tell them what I have learnt. The course has been a positive change for me as I know what I need to work on. It will take time to fully change every single lesson but I am willing to commit to this. I do want my students to love coming to class and enjoy learning. Hiba Haragli, August 2017
The best part about this course was how practical the information and strategies were. The real life examples not only showed that there is another way to face any challenge, but they confirmed it as well. This course has not only confirmed that things I am already doing are effective, but it has also shown me new and motivating ways to approach the students in the class. Cassandra McLennan, Henry Kendall High School, Oct 2016
This course was wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I spent longer than the 15 hours but ultimately it made me more satisfied in pursuing my profession. Through the process of reflection, I discovered reasons why I was not enjoying certain aspects of my job. I highly recommend this course to all teachers, everyone can learn something from it. Blaire Marsh, Warilla High School, Feb 2018
As an experienced teacher I have really enjoyed doing this course. It has reinforced good practice and strategies that I have either previously used or heard about, but had let slip in my own teaching practice. At the time I started the course I had a very challenging year 11 class who I managed to turn around using largely the strategies that were in the course content. I have also put in place some excellent lesson endings. Well worth doing for any teacher, regardless of experience level. Lynn Hawkes, Putaruru College, NZ, June 2016
Richard, doing the course was a real breath of fresh air, in the sense that I had grown too used to what I perceived to be working in the classroom. As a teacher of 34 years, I thought (quite arrogantly, of course) that I "would know it all"... but I didn't! The course made me think consciously about what techniques I was using and about how effective, or ineffective they were. This was a wholly worthwhile experience for a wholly stuck-in-the-rut teacher! I recommend the course highly! Thank you! Chris Oldham, Sept 2017
This was a great course. I particularly liked that the strategies were small and achievable yet really made a difference in the classroom. The videos gave great insight into the strategies used in a real classroom setting. This course has had a positive impact on my teaching, I feel I have more ammunition at my disposal than I did previously. Brendan Parsons, The Illawarra Grammar School, Sept 2016
Hi Richard, thanks so much for the specific and helpful strategies that you have supplied here. It has been great to be able to concentrate for a while on these essential, yet sadly so often overlooked, aspects of good teaching, effective classroom control, effective communication and effective student engagement. Thanks!! Kirsten Duncombe, Riverside Girls High School, Oct 2017
The course has been an enlightening experience. I have become more mindful of my own presence within the classroom and how my attitude and rapport is also a massive component that is contributing to the students engagement of content. It has been quite interesting to watch the shift from me the bearer of all the knowledge to students having more ownership of their learning. I liked the delivery of content, felt I was able to go at my own pace and it still fit within the busyness of term time. Georgina Don, Loreto Kirribilli, Sept 2017
I found this course extremely useful. I really enjoyed the behaviour management side of the course and the use of different videos to help me gain a better understanding of what they look like in the classroom e.g. questioning, praise to manage etc. This course has inspired me and I really enjoyed the forum aspect and reading about other people's experiences. Simon Quinn, St Joseph's Catholic High School, Aug 2016
I liked everything about the course. It contains so much food for thought but the best bit was the time for implementation. It not only ensured you were taking it all in, I know often in the face to face course by the end I have switched off. With this when I was drained I would go away from it and come back when I felt I was in the right frame of mind. INSPIRED is an understatement. I had a phone conversation with Richard early in the course and am hoping to implement across the school but just trying to win the funding and hearts of Senior Executive. Megan Hayes, Fairfield High School, Sept 2017
There were many good aspects of the course. I liked how the videos had awesome ideas that I could easily implement in my own lessons. Many of the videos did inspire me and I have implemented activities or ideas from several of the videos. This course has definitely created positive change in all my classes, It has helped me in my junior classes behaviour-wise and senior classes engagement wise. Deanna Jones, Oak Flats High School, September 2017
I have really enjoyed the course. I found it reinforced the ideas that I use and it was a breath of fresh air. Often you end up in courses where everything is based on studies that don't seem to talk from an 'in the classroom' perspective and that can be frustrating. I really enjoyed the honesty you showed explaining where you were and where you are now in teacher/student relations and engagement and am impressed that you were able to make such a turnaround. So to be honest, I thought the course was great.
Ray Stephens, MET School, Medowbank Education, Central Admin NSW, Feb 2016
I liked how the course was very practically oriented and free of jargon. I was particularly impressed by the idea of taking the teacher out of the centre of lessons. I also liked the WRS and plan to develop them for my classes. I really like the format as it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Karim Najjarine, Karabar High School, an 2017
The course was fantastic! Not only did I get so much inspiration from you Richard and the videos and interviews etc but also SO much from the other participants! It has helped build my knowledge and therefore confidence that I can improve in areas I knew I was lacking skill in, but also areas I wasn't aware I was lacking skills in! I have got a 'Strategies' document now of things I would like to try in the future - many will suit being introduced at the start of next year. Lucy Barnes, Ravenswood School for Girls, November 2016
Fantastic course! The genuine experience, humour and sharing of techniques from Richard were very helpful. The Youtube clips and blogs were great. Creating independent learners inspired me the most as I believe this is the future of teaching in a dynamic classroom. The course definitely created much more positive change in my classroom with my learners significantly more engaged. My overall enjoyment of teaching has improved. Zak Watson, Gorokan High School, Dec 2016
Also, the gentle reminder that basics and simplicity are sometimes the most effective things we can work on, and everything else will follow. I am determined and positive that this year will be a great one in terms of seeing positive change Alicia Jordan, Goulburn High School, Jan 2019
The biggest strengths of this course is it's promotion of positive relationships between students and teachers through the behaviour management strategies taught. The fact that it is spread out over 16 weeks allows sufficient time to implement strategies, reflect on their effectiveness and improve them for future use. I have definitely been inspired to be more positive with students. I have already implemented a number of changes that have been highly effective in improving engagement and relationships so would say it's absolutely created a positive change for me. This course has also really helped define what an independent learner should look like. The phrase is often thrown around schools but I don't think it is actually unpacked sufficiently to give teachers strategies that can be used effectively in class. I have already implemented the strategies taught in the course to create more autonomous students in all of my classes and will continue to persist with them as I can already see huge benefits. Adriana Carle, Parkdale Secondary College, July 2018
I thought this was a fantastic course and great for every teacher, from the beginner to the experienced. I liked that it considered both the teacher who needs to focus on behaviour as well as the teacher whose major concern in engagement. The best part of this course is the specific examples given. It is so easy for information to say "praise your students" but it can be difficult to know exactly how to do this and what words to use. This course does exactly that- gives phrases, words and ideas on how to implement the strategies. I also found this course to be very encouraging and it provides a safe online environment where I felt open to share my issues or concerns with classes, without judgement. I think this was also attributed to how open the course facilitator is with their own past experiences, reflections and evaluations. There was a good balance between information given and the amount of feedback or input required in order to get the most out of the course. I am definitely inspired by this course and I feel more equipped and confident to engage and manage students in the classroom. Laura Drake-Brockman, Hunter River High School, Create an engaged learning environment’, Nov 2017
I thought it was an excellent course. Being able to complete it over several months and online was very good for teachers like myself who are in regional areas. I really liked the videos. Seeing examples of struggling teachers and excellent teachers gave a real contrast and a goal to aspire to. The course has made me really think about how I manage my classroom and how to engage the less enthusiastic ones more effectively. It was nice to have a facilitator with a sense of humour! Andrew Shumack, Snowy Mountains Christian School, June 2018
There was a lot of information and a nice balance between activities, articles and videos. It was great to see some teaching practice and the analysis of that through the videos. I really think this course should be something that is compulsory for ALL staff to do. It allows you to be reflective and think about your own teaching practices as well as others. I was able to reinforce and re-focus on some of the strategies I use now that needed a little more "tidying up". Jessica Neubert, Murwillumbah High School, Aug 2018
The best aspects of the course were the videos. It makes it so much easier to see strategies in action than just read about them and then try to implement from what you read. The course has helped me implement strategies that are actually creating positive change in my classroom and slowly but surely turning around a number of those difficult students. Jack McMaster, Wadalba Community School, 22.7.18
The course has been super helpful in identifying and using new strategies to better the learning process for my students and to maximise their engagement while keeping management to a minimum. The best aspects of the course were seeing the strategies-in-action in videos and the contributions from course colleagues. I have begun seeing dramatic changes already in my classroom when utilising these strategies.
Kaan Ozserim, James Cooke Boys High School, ‘Create an engaged learning environment’, Dec 2016
This is the best course I have ever done! A course so incredibly well organised, with terrific instructional videos, thought-provoking exercises and constant constructive feedback. As Head Teacher Welfare … what is the most important thing that we can be doing for our most difficult of children? ... being kind, being encouraging, being positive, listening, helping, doing everything we can to bring out the best not only in our students, but in ourselves. This course has been an eye-opener in the most fundamental of ways - our humanity and our kindness can change lives. Thank you Richard, I will be watching out for more courses that you have developed. Brigid Mora (Head of Welfare), Kingswood High School, June 2017
I must say this is the best course I have ever done. I am definitely inspired by this course to the point where I talk to my colleagues about it and tell them what I have learnt. The course has been a positive change for me as I know what I need to work on. It will take time to fully change every single lesson but I am willing to commit to this. I do want my students to love coming to class and enjoy learning. Hiba Haragli, August 2017
The best part about this course was how practical the information and strategies were. The real life examples not only showed that there is another way to face any challenge, but they confirmed it as well. This course has not only confirmed that things I am already doing are effective, but it has also shown me new and motivating ways to approach the students in the class. Cassandra McLennan, Henry Kendall High School, Oct 2016
This course was wonderful, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I spent longer than the 15 hours but ultimately it made me more satisfied in pursuing my profession. Through the process of reflection, I discovered reasons why I was not enjoying certain aspects of my job. I highly recommend this course to all teachers, everyone can learn something from it. Blaire Marsh, Warilla High School, Feb 2018
As an experienced teacher I have really enjoyed doing this course. It has reinforced good practice and strategies that I have either previously used or heard about, but had let slip in my own teaching practice. At the time I started the course I had a very challenging year 11 class who I managed to turn around using largely the strategies that were in the course content. I have also put in place some excellent lesson endings. Well worth doing for any teacher, regardless of experience level. Lynn Hawkes, Putaruru College, NZ, June 2016
Richard, doing the course was a real breath of fresh air, in the sense that I had grown too used to what I perceived to be working in the classroom. As a teacher of 34 years, I thought (quite arrogantly, of course) that I "would know it all"... but I didn't! The course made me think consciously about what techniques I was using and about how effective, or ineffective they were. This was a wholly worthwhile experience for a wholly stuck-in-the-rut teacher! I recommend the course highly! Thank you! Chris Oldham, Sept 2017
This was a great course. I particularly liked that the strategies were small and achievable yet really made a difference in the classroom. The videos gave great insight into the strategies used in a real classroom setting. This course has had a positive impact on my teaching, I feel I have more ammunition at my disposal than I did previously. Brendan Parsons, The Illawarra Grammar School, Sept 2016
Hi Richard, thanks so much for the specific and helpful strategies that you have supplied here. It has been great to be able to concentrate for a while on these essential, yet sadly so often overlooked, aspects of good teaching, effective classroom control, effective communication and effective student engagement. Thanks!! Kirsten Duncombe, Riverside Girls High School, Oct 2017
The course has been an enlightening experience. I have become more mindful of my own presence within the classroom and how my attitude and rapport is also a massive component that is contributing to the students engagement of content. It has been quite interesting to watch the shift from me the bearer of all the knowledge to students having more ownership of their learning. I liked the delivery of content, felt I was able to go at my own pace and it still fit within the busyness of term time. Georgina Don, Loreto Kirribilli, Sept 2017
I found this course extremely useful. I really enjoyed the behaviour management side of the course and the use of different videos to help me gain a better understanding of what they look like in the classroom e.g. questioning, praise to manage etc. This course has inspired me and I really enjoyed the forum aspect and reading about other people's experiences. Simon Quinn, St Joseph's Catholic High School, Aug 2016
I liked everything about the course. It contains so much food for thought but the best bit was the time for implementation. It not only ensured you were taking it all in, I know often in the face to face course by the end I have switched off. With this when I was drained I would go away from it and come back when I felt I was in the right frame of mind. INSPIRED is an understatement. I had a phone conversation with Richard early in the course and am hoping to implement across the school but just trying to win the funding and hearts of Senior Executive. Megan Hayes, Fairfield High School, Sept 2017
There were many good aspects of the course. I liked how the videos had awesome ideas that I could easily implement in my own lessons. Many of the videos did inspire me and I have implemented activities or ideas from several of the videos. This course has definitely created positive change in all my classes, It has helped me in my junior classes behaviour-wise and senior classes engagement wise. Deanna Jones, Oak Flats High School, September 2017
I have really enjoyed the course. I found it reinforced the ideas that I use and it was a breath of fresh air. Often you end up in courses where everything is based on studies that don't seem to talk from an 'in the classroom' perspective and that can be frustrating. I really enjoyed the honesty you showed explaining where you were and where you are now in teacher/student relations and engagement and am impressed that you were able to make such a turnaround. So to be honest, I thought the course was great.
Ray Stephens, MET School, Medowbank Education, Central Admin NSW, Feb 2016
I liked how the course was very practically oriented and free of jargon. I was particularly impressed by the idea of taking the teacher out of the centre of lessons. I also liked the WRS and plan to develop them for my classes. I really like the format as it is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Karim Najjarine, Karabar High School, an 2017
The course was fantastic! Not only did I get so much inspiration from you Richard and the videos and interviews etc but also SO much from the other participants! It has helped build my knowledge and therefore confidence that I can improve in areas I knew I was lacking skill in, but also areas I wasn't aware I was lacking skills in! I have got a 'Strategies' document now of things I would like to try in the future - many will suit being introduced at the start of next year. Lucy Barnes, Ravenswood School for Girls, November 2016
Fantastic course! The genuine experience, humour and sharing of techniques from Richard were very helpful. The Youtube clips and blogs were great. Creating independent learners inspired me the most as I believe this is the future of teaching in a dynamic classroom. The course definitely created much more positive change in my classroom with my learners significantly more engaged. My overall enjoyment of teaching has improved. Zak Watson, Gorokan High School, Dec 2016
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