drseanphd

A Cynic’s Change of Heart: The Teacher Who Taught Hope

A brief interlude into the teacher/academic humdrum that usually occupies this space on the blog. I was inspired last week – something that doesn’t happen too often, and I wanted to share the story. As someone who’s navigated the labyrinth of educational theory and the oftentimes disillusioning world of teaching practices, I’ve grown a bit,Continue reading “A Cynic’s Change of Heart: The Teacher Who Taught Hope”

Teaching Strategies Part 5: The Challenge of Translating Educational Research into Effective Teaching Practice

The endeavour to bridge the gap between educational research and teaching practice represents a significant challenge within the academic and pedagogical communities. While there is much discourse about the necessity of research into practice, the truth is that teachers barely have enough time to do their job, never mind reading reams of indecipherable journal articlesContinue reading “Teaching Strategies Part 5: The Challenge of Translating Educational Research into Effective Teaching Practice”

Publish or Perish 3: Beyond Rejection: Resilience in the Academic Odyssey

There lies a hidden narrative in the solemn yet occasionally absurd world of academia, where the pursuit of knowledge is supposed to be our noble quest. It’s the narrative of countless scholars navigating the tumultuous waters of academic publishing, a journey marked not by triumphant arrivals but by detours, setbacks, and outright rejections. The artContinue reading “Publish or Perish 3: Beyond Rejection: Resilience in the Academic Odyssey”

Publish or Perish The Sequel: A Call for Meaningful Academic Contribution

In academia, the pressure to publish reigns supreme, shaping priorities and self-worth. This relentless pursuit has led to an inflation of research papers, diluting genuine innovation. The solution lies in prioritizing impact over quantity and democratizing access to knowledge. It’s time to redefine academic success and make meaningful contributions.

Teaching Strategies Part 4: The Promise and Pitfalls of Educational Research

This post, the fourth and penultimate in the Teaching Strategies series, will delve into the nuanced world of teaching strategies, guided by what research reveals and its limitations. I aim to provide a nuanced view that respects the complexity of educational research while offering clear, actionable advice to current and future educators. Educational research hasContinue reading “Teaching Strategies Part 4: The Promise and Pitfalls of Educational Research”

Time Management: A Principal’s Guide to Crushing It

So, as another school year begins, I thought I’d start the year addressing our fearless school leaders who came into the profession hoping to make a world of difference, but then who, upon reaching the ultimate goal of running a school, find navigating the bureaucracy of principalship is like herding cats with one hand whileContinue reading “Time Management: A Principal’s Guide to Crushing It”

Herding Cats in the Classroom: Tackling the Tumult with Tactics and Tenacity

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: kids are maniacs. The young ones are adorable, the teens are budding adults, and all kids are the future of our society, but they are also bundles of chaos. And, if you think corralling these young minds is as easy as saying “please” and “thank you” orContinue reading “Herding Cats in the Classroom: Tackling the Tumult with Tactics and Tenacity”

Band-Aids on Behemoths: Decoding the Sisyphean Saga of Classroom Chaos

In the evolving landscape of education, one of the most pressing challenges that consistently emerges is student behaviour and the challenges this poses to teachers, who have consistently ranked this among the most complex challenges they face for the past 60 years, yes – SIXTY Years. I wrote the following passage in my thesis backContinue reading “Band-Aids on Behemoths: Decoding the Sisyphean Saga of Classroom Chaos”

The Publish or Perish Paradox

In the hallowed halls of academia, a spectre looms large over lecturers, professors, and researchers alike. It’s the omnipresent dictate of “publish or perish,” a mantra that has become as much a part of academic culture as cap and gown ceremonies or late-night study sessions. Yet, a deep dive into this phenomenon uncovers a paradoxContinue reading “The Publish or Perish Paradox”

Decoding the Israeli Conflict: A Masterclass in Understanding Misinformation and Polarisation

I had a post ready to publish today, my first that will delve into work-life in academia, which I hope will become a thread on this blog; however, as the first day of Chanukah is upon us, I thought it poignant to express my empathy with civilians on both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict, butContinue reading “Decoding the Israeli Conflict: A Masterclass in Understanding Misinformation and Polarisation”