Assessment Techniques
Refining, not reinventing the wheel
Most of the children with whom I work have already been
subject to a wide range of standard psychological tests: in essence, they've
been 'tested to death'. By contrast, I try to make my time with them as
far from 'clinical' as possible, using informal assessment tools, usually
in a dialogue or observational format in a one-on-one environment, that
build upon previously-established psychological assessments. My aim is to
establish a child's strengths, weaknesses, and areas of compensation within
a learning environment: not so much 'reinventing the wheel', but refining
it. Read more...
Most of the children with whom I work have already been
subject to a wide range of standard psychological tests: in essence, they've
been 'tested to death'. By contrast, I try to make my time with them as
far from 'clinical' as possible, using informal assessment tools, usually
in a dialogue or observational format in a one-on-one environment, that
build upon previously-established psychological assessments. My aim is to
establish a child's strengths, weaknesses, and areas of compensation within
a learning environment: not so much 'reinventing the wheel', but refining
it. Read more... 'Camp Sydney' Activity-based
intensive learning sessions
Alongside my individual and group sessions, I use intensive
learning sessions to gain a better idea of childrens' learning styles
and skills, and to strengthen relationships both on a one-to-one basis,
and as part of a group. These sessions, known informally as 'Camp Sydney',
vary in their format, based on the particular needs of those children
who participate, but normally combine activities such as rock climbing
with a wide range of project-based learning experiences, designed to use
childrens' strengths to work on their weaknesses, and to redirect frustrations
towards the rewarding completion of tasks. Read
more...
Alongside my individual and group sessions, I use intensive
learning sessions to gain a better idea of childrens' learning styles
and skills, and to strengthen relationships both on a one-to-one basis,
and as part of a group. These sessions, known informally as 'Camp Sydney',
vary in their format, based on the particular needs of those children
who participate, but normally combine activities such as rock climbing
with a wide range of project-based learning experiences, designed to use
childrens' strengths to work on their weaknesses, and to redirect frustrations
towards the rewarding completion of tasks. Read
more... Professional Development
Seminars and sessions for educators
Sharing my experience and professional advice with
other educators forms an important part of my work: by helping teachers
adapt their own skills to address issues either within the classroom
or through out-of-school tutoring, my hope is to address some of the
problems that currently arise within the framework of the school system.
(In a way, I'd love to put myself out of a job!) I offer seminars and
workshops on specific topics, such as the development of alternative
assessment strategies, anger management and strategic compensation techniques.
I also provide training for teachers on an individual basis, or as part
of a small group session, to pass on my experience of developing learning
methods that enable children to discover and make the most of their
inherent strengths. Read more...
Sharing my experience and professional advice with
other educators forms an important part of my work: by helping teachers
adapt their own skills to address issues either within the classroom
or through out-of-school tutoring, my hope is to address some of the
problems that currently arise within the framework of the school system.
(In a way, I'd love to put myself out of a job!) I offer seminars and
workshops on specific topics, such as the development of alternative
assessment strategies, anger management and strategic compensation techniques.
I also provide training for teachers on an individual basis, or as part
of a small group session, to pass on my experience of developing learning
methods that enable children to discover and make the most of their
inherent strengths. Read more...