My brand new CPD update on effective chronology teaching is coming next Thursday! It is available to attend live and/access the recording.
It includes key updates in methodology and a huge increasing emphasis on #taskdesign.
www.mrtdoeshistory.com/product/teac...
It includes key updates in methodology and a huge increasing emphasis on #taskdesign.
www.mrtdoeshistory.com/product/teac...
October 15, 2026 at 6:50 PM
My brand new CPD update on effective chronology teaching is coming next Thursday! It is available to attend live and/access the recording.
It includes key updates in methodology and a huge increasing emphasis on #taskdesign.
www.mrtdoeshistory.com/product/teac...
It includes key updates in methodology and a huge increasing emphasis on #taskdesign.
www.mrtdoeshistory.com/product/teac...
Science task design🫀
First #retrieval task how blood moves.
The final task used the heart diagram as a model to think & annotating the route of blood rather than simply labelling parts.
The knowledge held up when we observed a heart dissection later in the week.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
First #retrieval task how blood moves.
The final task used the heart diagram as a model to think & annotating the route of blood rather than simply labelling parts.
The knowledge held up when we observed a heart dissection later in the week.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
October 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Science task design🫀
First #retrieval task how blood moves.
The final task used the heart diagram as a model to think & annotating the route of blood rather than simply labelling parts.
The knowledge held up when we observed a heart dissection later in the week.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
First #retrieval task how blood moves.
The final task used the heart diagram as a model to think & annotating the route of blood rather than simply labelling parts.
The knowledge held up when we observed a heart dissection later in the week.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
🤖 GenAI isn’t just a tool—it’s a co-creator. New review shows how it reshapes second language tasks through digital multimodal composing.
📖 Read the study: www.castledown.com/journals/dal...
#GenAI #L2Learning #TaskDesign #DigitalPedagogy
📖 Read the study: www.castledown.com/journals/dal...
#GenAI #L2Learning #TaskDesign #DigitalPedagogy
Digital Applied Linguistics
www.castledown.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:47 AM
🤖 GenAI isn’t just a tool—it’s a co-creator. New review shows how it reshapes second language tasks through digital multimodal composing.
📖 Read the study: www.castledown.com/journals/dal...
#GenAI #L2Learning #TaskDesign #DigitalPedagogy
📖 Read the study: www.castledown.com/journals/dal...
#GenAI #L2Learning #TaskDesign #DigitalPedagogy
Obviously @suchmo83.bsky.social's tour de force, writing revolution and Generative Learning theory for #taskdesign
August 9, 2024 at 9:54 PM
Obviously @suchmo83.bsky.social's tour de force, writing revolution and Generative Learning theory for #taskdesign
If a task feels heavy, break it down.
The Middle-Way Method shows how to make progress with tasks that are clear, small, and immediately doable.
Read more:
🔗 middle-way-method.com/planning/pro...
#Focus #TaskDesign #MiddleWayMethod
The Middle-Way Method shows how to make progress with tasks that are clear, small, and immediately doable.
Read more:
🔗 middle-way-method.com/planning/pro...
#Focus #TaskDesign #MiddleWayMethod
The Doable Task: Clear, Small, and Now
Discover how to craft tasks that truly work — clear, manageable, and aligned with your bigger goals and daily reality. This article introduces the Middle-Way Task Filter, a flexible framework to help ...
middle-way-method.com
July 23, 2025 at 3:50 AM
If a task feels heavy, break it down.
The Middle-Way Method shows how to make progress with tasks that are clear, small, and immediately doable.
Read more:
🔗 middle-way-method.com/planning/pro...
#Focus #TaskDesign #MiddleWayMethod
The Middle-Way Method shows how to make progress with tasks that are clear, small, and immediately doable.
Read more:
🔗 middle-way-method.com/planning/pro...
#Focus #TaskDesign #MiddleWayMethod
Task design isn't just about following a manual—it's about opening up to new, interdisciplinary ways of creating meaningful learning experiences.
🔗 Read the full chapter here: doi.org/10.1075/tblt...
#GRAL #TBLT #TaskDesign #SLA #LanguageTeaching #EducationInnovation #AppliedLinguistics
🧵🧵🧵🧵
🔗 Read the full chapter here: doi.org/10.1075/tblt...
#GRAL #TBLT #TaskDesign #SLA #LanguageTeaching #EducationInnovation #AppliedLinguistics
🧵🧵🧵🧵
March 10, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Task design isn't just about following a manual—it's about opening up to new, interdisciplinary ways of creating meaningful learning experiences.
🔗 Read the full chapter here: doi.org/10.1075/tblt...
#GRAL #TBLT #TaskDesign #SLA #LanguageTeaching #EducationInnovation #AppliedLinguistics
🧵🧵🧵🧵
🔗 Read the full chapter here: doi.org/10.1075/tblt...
#GRAL #TBLT #TaskDesign #SLA #LanguageTeaching #EducationInnovation #AppliedLinguistics
🧵🧵🧵🧵
Another GRAL publication!
Huge congratulations to Vera Trager and Roger Gilabert for their article in Language Teaching Research 👏
#GRAL #AppliedLinguistics #TBLT #TaskDesign #EdTech #EFL #TeacherTraining
Huge congratulations to Vera Trager and Roger Gilabert for their article in Language Teaching Research 👏
#GRAL #AppliedLinguistics #TBLT #TaskDesign #EdTech #EFL #TeacherTraining
February 25, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Another GRAL publication!
Huge congratulations to Vera Trager and Roger Gilabert for their article in Language Teaching Research 👏
#GRAL #AppliedLinguistics #TBLT #TaskDesign #EdTech #EFL #TeacherTraining
Huge congratulations to Vera Trager and Roger Gilabert for their article in Language Teaching Research 👏
#GRAL #AppliedLinguistics #TBLT #TaskDesign #EdTech #EFL #TeacherTraining
JMIR Formative Res: Encouraging the Voluntary Mobilization of Mental Resources by Manipulating Task Design: Explorative Study #MentalHealth #CognitiveTraining #Gamification #TaskDesign #Playfulness
Encouraging the Voluntary Mobilization of Mental Resources by Manipulating Task Design: Explorative Study
Background: Cognitive training is increasingly being considered and proposed as a solution for several pathologies, particularly those associated with aging. However, trainees need to be willing to invest enough mental effort to succeed and make progress. Objective: In this study, we explore how gamification in a narrative context (i.e. the addition of visual game-like elements [GLE] embedded in real-world contexts) could contribute increase perceived playfulness (PP) and voluntary mental effort allocated to a cognitive task. In such context, narrative elements and GLE can be designed to align with a commonly relatable scenario (like simulating fishing or gardening activity) to ground the task in familiar, real-world contexts. We also consider if the supposed effect of GLE on PP and voluntary mental effort, could endure while manipulating an intrinsic variable of the task (i.e., by increasing cognitive solicitation). Methods: Twenty participants (average age 33.6 years, SD = 8.6 years) took part in 3 cognitive tasks proposed in a numerical format: a classic version of the Corsi test (Classic Corsi, a spatial memory task), a Playful version of the Classic Corsi test (Playful Corsi), with added visual GLE in a narrative context, and a playful version of the Classic Corsi test with added cognitive solicitation, i.e., mental motor inhibition (Playful Corsi Multi). We assessed the impact of visual GLE and cognitive solicitation on PP (one question) and Mental Workload (MWL) using NASA-TLX and Workload Profile (WP) questionnaires. Results: Results showed that PP was not influenced by interface’s playful characteristics (Classic Corsi [Mean 62.4; SD 8.8] vs Playful Corsi [Mean 66 ; SD 8.8]; W=77; P=0.3 ) but decreased the time necessary to complete the task (Classic Corsi [Mean 10.7s; SD 2.1s] vs Playful Corsi [Mean 6.8s; SD 1.6s]; W=209; P
dlvr.it
April 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
JMIR Formative Res: Encouraging the Voluntary Mobilization of Mental Resources by Manipulating Task Design: Explorative Study #MentalHealth #CognitiveTraining #Gamification #TaskDesign #Playfulness
Great #taskdesign in class 3 using our new knowledge to write about the clothes and equipment worn and used by Roman soldiers - no wonder the Roman army was so successful! #historystc #lovestc
May 18, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Great #taskdesign in class 3 using our new knowledge to write about the clothes and equipment worn and used by Roman soldiers - no wonder the Roman army was so successful! #historystc #lovestc
An end to this academic year's task design CPD and school support is punctuated by a trip to Middlesbrough, to work with Ad Astra Academy Trust.
Looking forward to sharing thoughts on Task Design with colleagues.
#PrimaryTaskDesign #CPD #PrimaryEducation
#TaskDesign #Teachers
Looking forward to sharing thoughts on Task Design with colleagues.
#PrimaryTaskDesign #CPD #PrimaryEducation
#TaskDesign #Teachers
July 3, 2026 at 7:30 AM
An end to this academic year's task design CPD and school support is punctuated by a trip to Middlesbrough, to work with Ad Astra Academy Trust.
Looking forward to sharing thoughts on Task Design with colleagues.
#PrimaryTaskDesign #CPD #PrimaryEducation
#TaskDesign #Teachers
Looking forward to sharing thoughts on Task Design with colleagues.
#PrimaryTaskDesign #CPD #PrimaryEducation
#TaskDesign #Teachers
We continued our Year 6 #Science work on evolution using On the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva.
Inspired by @marymyatt.bsky.social ’s work on high quality texts, I wanted the book to serve the sequence, not sit as a hook.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
Inspired by @marymyatt.bsky.social ’s work on high quality texts, I wanted the book to serve the sequence, not sit as a hook.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
April 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
We continued our Year 6 #Science work on evolution using On the Origin of Species by Sabina Radeva.
Inspired by @marymyatt.bsky.social ’s work on high quality texts, I wanted the book to serve the sequence, not sit as a hook.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
Inspired by @marymyatt.bsky.social ’s work on high quality texts, I wanted the book to serve the sequence, not sit as a hook.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
New blog post.
Part 1 of a trilogy on AI, curriculum and professional judgement.
AI can generate a lesson quickly, but it cannot build a curriculum. Planning starts with sequence, not prompts.
Read here: bit.ly/T4s4126
#Education #Teaching #Curriculum #PrimaryEducation #AIinEducation #TaskDesign
Part 1 of a trilogy on AI, curriculum and professional judgement.
AI can generate a lesson quickly, but it cannot build a curriculum. Planning starts with sequence, not prompts.
Read here: bit.ly/T4s4126
#Education #Teaching #Curriculum #PrimaryEducation #AIinEducation #TaskDesign
The Thinking Teacher Trilogy – Part 1: Planning Not Prompts
Image drawn by Karl McGrath in ProCreate It has been a while since I have written a blog post; however, I have been thinking about and talking about how teachers interact with AI over the last two …
bit.ly
April 18, 2026 at 10:58 AM
New blog post.
Part 1 of a trilogy on AI, curriculum and professional judgement.
AI can generate a lesson quickly, but it cannot build a curriculum. Planning starts with sequence, not prompts.
Read here: bit.ly/T4s4126
#Education #Teaching #Curriculum #PrimaryEducation #AIinEducation #TaskDesign
Part 1 of a trilogy on AI, curriculum and professional judgement.
AI can generate a lesson quickly, but it cannot build a curriculum. Planning starts with sequence, not prompts.
Read here: bit.ly/T4s4126
#Education #Teaching #Curriculum #PrimaryEducation #AIinEducation #TaskDesign
We continued our #science work this week in #Year6 by building on learning about evolution. Retrieval moved from paragraph to sentence to word on fossils. Then children tested a hypothesis with an inheritance model before a stick or twist task refined their thinking. #PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
April 3, 2026 at 7:24 AM
We continued our #science work this week in #Year6 by building on learning about evolution. Retrieval moved from paragraph to sentence to word on fossils. Then children tested a hypothesis with an inheritance model before a stick or twist task refined their thinking. #PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
We brought our Ancient Civilisations learning together in #Year6.
#Retrieval task on the Shang, Yellow River, bronze, oracle bones, and why dynasties rise and fall. Then a Diamond 9 on what makes a civilisation successful, with paired talk then written justification.
#PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
#Retrieval task on the Shang, Yellow River, bronze, oracle bones, and why dynasties rise and fall. Then a Diamond 9 on what makes a civilisation successful, with paired talk then written justification.
#PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
February 6, 2026 at 7:02 PM
We brought our Ancient Civilisations learning together in #Year6.
#Retrieval task on the Shang, Yellow River, bronze, oracle bones, and why dynasties rise and fall. Then a Diamond 9 on what makes a civilisation successful, with paired talk then written justification.
#PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
#Retrieval task on the Shang, Yellow River, bronze, oracle bones, and why dynasties rise and fall. Then a Diamond 9 on what makes a civilisation successful, with paired talk then written justification.
#PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
We continued our #Computing work with #Year6 in OctoStudio, using retrieval to revisit events, the level variable, and conditionals.
Then we planned and innovated our maze game by changing sprites, interactions, and the reward or challenge. #PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
Then we planned and innovated our maze game by changing sprites, interactions, and the reward or challenge. #PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
February 3, 2026 at 7:27 PM
We continued our #Computing work with #Year6 in OctoStudio, using retrieval to revisit events, the level variable, and conditionals.
Then we planned and innovated our maze game by changing sprites, interactions, and the reward or challenge. #PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
Then we planned and innovated our maze game by changing sprites, interactions, and the reward or challenge. #PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
#Year6 #Computing OctoStudio games with collisions, variables and simple conditionals.
#Retrieval revisited sprites and how they touch → state (level variable) → outcome (screen and rules). Next time: bug routine, trigger → change → expected → fix.
#PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
#Retrieval revisited sprites and how they touch → state (level variable) → outcome (screen and rules). Next time: bug routine, trigger → change → expected → fix.
#PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
January 28, 2026 at 6:53 PM
#Year6 #Computing OctoStudio games with collisions, variables and simple conditionals.
#Retrieval revisited sprites and how they touch → state (level variable) → outcome (screen and rules). Next time: bug routine, trigger → change → expected → fix.
#PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
#Retrieval revisited sprites and how they touch → state (level variable) → outcome (screen and rules). Next time: bug routine, trigger → change → expected → fix.
#PrimaryComputing #TaskDesign
Our #History in #Year6 was the Shang Dynasty through oracle bones.
#Retrieval linked to ancient civilisations sequence.
Children matched oracle bone questions, justifying overlaps.
We ended by discussing strengths and weaknesses of oracle bones. #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign #EduSky
#Retrieval linked to ancient civilisations sequence.
Children matched oracle bone questions, justifying overlaps.
We ended by discussing strengths and weaknesses of oracle bones. #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign #EduSky
January 27, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Our #History in #Year6 was the Shang Dynasty through oracle bones.
#Retrieval linked to ancient civilisations sequence.
Children matched oracle bone questions, justifying overlaps.
We ended by discussing strengths and weaknesses of oracle bones. #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign #EduSky
#Retrieval linked to ancient civilisations sequence.
Children matched oracle bone questions, justifying overlaps.
We ended by discussing strengths and weaknesses of oracle bones. #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign #EduSky
Year 6 #Science on dispersion.
The #Retrieval was True, False and Fix on light and shadows to spot misconceptions.
Then a prediction from a diagram and GIF. We defined dispersion as white light splitting into the visible spectrum and linked it to rainbows.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #EduSky
The #Retrieval was True, False and Fix on light and shadows to spot misconceptions.
Then a prediction from a diagram and GIF. We defined dispersion as white light splitting into the visible spectrum and linked it to rainbows.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #EduSky
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Year 6 #Science on dispersion.
The #Retrieval was True, False and Fix on light and shadows to spot misconceptions.
Then a prediction from a diagram and GIF. We defined dispersion as white light splitting into the visible spectrum and linked it to rainbows.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #EduSky
The #Retrieval was True, False and Fix on light and shadows to spot misconceptions.
Then a prediction from a diagram and GIF. We defined dispersion as white light splitting into the visible spectrum and linked it to rainbows.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #EduSky
First go with QuBuild in Y6 light. Visual prompt + starter question, then pairs generated 3 questions through distance, position and object.
Purposeful talk, clear curiosity vs investigable.
Next time: free round first, then refine to testable.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #Science #EduSky
Purposeful talk, clear curiosity vs investigable.
Next time: free round first, then refine to testable.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #Science #EduSky
January 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
First go with QuBuild in Y6 light. Visual prompt + starter question, then pairs generated 3 questions through distance, position and object.
Purposeful talk, clear curiosity vs investigable.
Next time: free round first, then refine to testable.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #Science #EduSky
Purposeful talk, clear curiosity vs investigable.
Next time: free round first, then refine to testable.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign #Science #EduSky
Sumerian innovations. #Retrieval revisited why rivers mattered.
Then shifted to “What did this enable?” irrigation → surplus etc.
Finished with map reasoning on trade with Egypt/Indus & growing power.
#Year6 #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
Then shifted to “What did this enable?” irrigation → surplus etc.
Finished with map reasoning on trade with Egypt/Indus & growing power.
#Year6 #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Sumerian innovations. #Retrieval revisited why rivers mattered.
Then shifted to “What did this enable?” irrigation → surplus etc.
Finished with map reasoning on trade with Egypt/Indus & growing power.
#Year6 #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
Then shifted to “What did this enable?” irrigation → surplus etc.
Finished with map reasoning on trade with Egypt/Indus & growing power.
#Year6 #PrimaryHistory #TaskDesign
Started our new #Year6 #Science unit on light by going backwards before forwards.
#Retrieval revisited transparent, translucent, opaque, then a simple pinhole setup made straight line travel visible.
We finished by applying this to real world examples.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
#Retrieval revisited transparent, translucent, opaque, then a simple pinhole setup made straight line travel visible.
We finished by applying this to real world examples.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
January 8, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Started our new #Year6 #Science unit on light by going backwards before forwards.
#Retrieval revisited transparent, translucent, opaque, then a simple pinhole setup made straight line travel visible.
We finished by applying this to real world examples.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
#Retrieval revisited transparent, translucent, opaque, then a simple pinhole setup made straight line travel visible.
We finished by applying this to real world examples.
#PrimaryScience #TaskDesign
My article “Coding for Understanding” is in Teach Primary.
cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-...
I argue for teaching coding as reasoning, building conceptual understanding before finished work @teachprimarymag.bsky.social
#TeachPrimary #PrimaryComputing #ComputationalThinking #TaskDesign #PRIMM
cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-...
I argue for teaching coding as reasoning, building conceptual understanding before finished work @teachprimarymag.bsky.social
#TeachPrimary #PrimaryComputing #ComputationalThinking #TaskDesign #PRIMM
January 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
My article “Coding for Understanding” is in Teach Primary.
cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-...
I argue for teaching coding as reasoning, building conceptual understanding before finished work @teachprimarymag.bsky.social
#TeachPrimary #PrimaryComputing #ComputationalThinking #TaskDesign #PRIMM
cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-...
I argue for teaching coding as reasoning, building conceptual understanding before finished work @teachprimarymag.bsky.social
#TeachPrimary #PrimaryComputing #ComputationalThinking #TaskDesign #PRIMM
A quick new year update.
This week we will notify our first Chalk Ambassadors, then announce the cohort publicly next week.
They will help shape, test and share Chalk’s curriculum-led visual learning.
More next week.
#Chalk #ChalkAmbassadors #TaskDesign #Curriculum #TeacherCommunity #EdTech
This week we will notify our first Chalk Ambassadors, then announce the cohort publicly next week.
They will help shape, test and share Chalk’s curriculum-led visual learning.
More next week.
#Chalk #ChalkAmbassadors #TaskDesign #Curriculum #TeacherCommunity #EdTech
January 5, 2026 at 6:39 PM
A quick new year update.
This week we will notify our first Chalk Ambassadors, then announce the cohort publicly next week.
They will help shape, test and share Chalk’s curriculum-led visual learning.
More next week.
#Chalk #ChalkAmbassadors #TaskDesign #Curriculum #TeacherCommunity #EdTech
This week we will notify our first Chalk Ambassadors, then announce the cohort publicly next week.
They will help shape, test and share Chalk’s curriculum-led visual learning.
More next week.
#Chalk #ChalkAmbassadors #TaskDesign #Curriculum #TeacherCommunity #EdTech
Excited for Tuesday’s session:
How AI can support planning & task design. I’ll introduce my ‘Cyborg Model’ & share practical ways to use AI while keeping teacher judgement central.
🗓 18 Nov, 3.40–4.40pm
💷 £10
🔗 bit.ly/4pwkNey
#TaskDesign #AIinEducation #EduSky #Teachers #Education
How AI can support planning & task design. I’ll introduce my ‘Cyborg Model’ & share practical ways to use AI while keeping teacher judgement central.
🗓 18 Nov, 3.40–4.40pm
💷 £10
🔗 bit.ly/4pwkNey
#TaskDesign #AIinEducation #EduSky #Teachers #Education
November 15, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Excited for Tuesday’s session:
How AI can support planning & task design. I’ll introduce my ‘Cyborg Model’ & share practical ways to use AI while keeping teacher judgement central.
🗓 18 Nov, 3.40–4.40pm
💷 £10
🔗 bit.ly/4pwkNey
#TaskDesign #AIinEducation #EduSky #Teachers #Education
How AI can support planning & task design. I’ll introduce my ‘Cyborg Model’ & share practical ways to use AI while keeping teacher judgement central.
🗓 18 Nov, 3.40–4.40pm
💷 £10
🔗 bit.ly/4pwkNey
#TaskDesign #AIinEducation #EduSky #Teachers #Education