Challenging Learning for FE Colleges & Adult Education
Challenging Learning is currently developing the teaching, learning and leadership in 27 colleges in Australia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland and Sweden.
We work with TAFEs, FE Colleges, Adult Education Centres, videregående skoler and gymnasiums to help staff develop the critical, collaborative and independent thinking habits of 16-19-year-olds and adult education students.
On this website, you will see many mentions of the Challenging Learning Process. In the post-16 sector, we refer to this as ThinkFE (Think Further Education).
ThinkFE combines theory about learning with practical, worked examples to develop critical, collaborative and independent thinking habits in 16-19 and adult education students.
It is an innovative, rigorous and engaging professional learning programme, which aims to improve students’ independent learning through excellence in teaching.
We believe that to have the best possible opportunities for success in life, students need to be equipped with the tools for life-long learning.
Our interactive certificate courses provide, and model, pedagogical strategies which encourage students to think independently, show initiative, face challenges and take responsibility for their own learning.
About the Course
The Level One course combines theory on the Teaching Thinking approach with practical, worked examples…
This certificated course will run over one full day and two half-days, introducing exciting strategies to engage, motivate and challenge your students! Discover how to develop independent, resilient learners by improving the students’ thinking and reasoning ability. Along with practical thinking tools we explore how students learn, how the brain works, and how dialogue is the most valuable tool in constructing learning.
There is plenty of opportunity between the taught sessions to trial the teaching thinking strategies, and each half-day session begins with a reflection on professional learning, making the Teaching Thinking course engaging, interactive and rewarding.
What the Course Covers
Practical strategies that support student engagement, encourage motivation and prompt substantive conversation.
How we can encourage students to share their opinions and improve their ability to make reasoned judgements.
Explore how we learn, what engages us, and how we are all different.
The development of skills for life-long learning, developing independence, resilience to challenge and higher-order thinking.
How debriefing learning can promote independence, and help students construct deeper understanding.
We will discuss the value of meaningful student dialogue and highlight the importance of developing skills for life-long learning in our colleges today.
This course combines theory on the teaching thinking approach with practical, worked examples. A teacher-research element between the taught days allows you to trial strategies with students in the classroom. Reflecting on your own experiences is a key factor in the success of this professional development programme. The course is certificated and can be accredited for master’s study.
“For once, a course that has captured the imagination…I can already see the positive impact on staff and our learners.”Impact TrainingBelfast
“Think FE has been a major part of our Teaching & Learning strategy for over 500 staff. As a result, we were inspected by ETI in April and our performance was assessed as ‘Outstanding’. The ThinkFE programme has enhanced classroom activity and I would highly recommend it to any educational establishment.”South West College,Northern Ireland
“The course has helped me enormously with new ideas and strategies, not just for our daily classes but also for another course that I am currently doing in tech.”Impact TrainingBelfast
“An excellent course which enables students to think for themselves. Activities are short and effective and an excellent way of incorporating stronger and weaker learners. Well worthwhile attending this course.”Impact TrainingBelfast
“I found Think FE very practical with examples of activities that could be used in a realistic training setting. The course was delivered in a way that was easy to follow and enjoyable to participate in. I would highly recommend this course to other tutors. Loved it!”Impact TrainingBelfast