Back to Basics: Things to Think About When Setting Cover Work

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback)

Illustrated by Sutthiya Lertyongphati

My promise to you: I never use generative AI to create, edit, or enhance my blog posts. All of my content is original.

A true story is mentioned in this blog post. Names, and, in some cases, genders, have been changed in order to protect anonymity. Any similarity to real people is purely coincidental.

The time has come for you to miss a day or two, or more, of school. Maybe you are suddenly sick (it happens to all of us), maybe you’re on long-term leave, maybe you have a training workshop to attend, or maybe you have another legitimate reason to take time off school.

What happens next could make or break your career at your school. That’s right – I did just say that. Poorly considered cover work, along with other factors, can result in dire consequences for you if you’re not careful. I’ve seen it happen all too often in my twenty years as a secondary school teacher, and I’m here to warn you, to educate you, and to empower you with the right information.

Take notes if you have to. I’ll be laying out the raw truths that nobody has probably ever told you before.

#1: You have no idea who’ll be entering your classroom whilst you’re away

Claire was a Chemistry teacher at a top international school who was suddenly off sick for two days. She set cover work, some of which included printed materials, and thought nothing more about it as she rested at home.

Unbeknownst to her, however, Darren, the school’s other (more experienced) Chemistry teacher, had been assigned to cover her Year 10 IGCSE Chemistry class. He was shocked at the materials that the students were given as cover work. The topics the students were covering should have been taught months ago, had the teacher been following the agreed scheme of work. After flicking through a few of the students’ notebooks and asking the students some questions about what they had learnt thus far, he came to the realisation that they were WAY BEHIND where they needed to be. At this rate, they wouldn’t finish even 60% of the material they needed to cover that year.

He brought his concerns to his Head of Science, who then initiated an observation and monitoring process when Claire returned to work. It was not the outcome she expected just for being sick for a few days. At the end of the academic year, it was decided that her contract with the school would not be renewed, and she was forced to find another job at another school. The concerns around her pace of delivery for exam-level classes were a major contributing factor in this decision.

Cover teachers are there to supervise the lessons you’ve provided materials for, but are your students where they need to be in the Scheme of Work? Are their notebooks marked? Is everything as it should be?

The key takeaways that this true story teaches us are brutal and shocking, but should act as a wake-up call for the complacent. You don’t know who will take over your classes, so make sure everything is in order at all times:

  1. Make sure your classroom is tidy and organised. Piles of unmarked work, for example, lying around your classroom may raise concerns.
  2. Make sure your students are where they need to be in the Scheme of Work. Questions may be asked if this has not been picked up beforehand.
  3. An untidy classroom doesn’t look good. An organised classroom shows that you are organised. Cover teachers who walk into your classroom should be impressed, not disgusted.
  4. Make sure maintenance issues have been dealt with. Faulty smart boards, wonky bookshelves, broken chairs – anything that’s not in order could raise suspicion. How long have you allowed things to be like this?
  5. Make sure books are marked. The cover teacher may see the students’ books. If they’ve not been marked in a long time, then don’t assume that this will be okay. That might become a concern that’s raised with SLT.

Of course, we should always be vigilant as teachers – not simply ready in case we have to be absent. Student work should be marked regularly, we should be keeping pace with the curriculum, and teaching standards must be high. This should be happening at all times, but hopefully the fact that you may have to set a sudden cover lesson highlights the importance of this even more.

#2: Communicate cover work to all stakeholders clearly

Who needs to know what your students are expected to do? That’s simple:

  • The students
  • The cover teachers
  • Your line manager/SLT

Communication to students should be pretty straightforward – use the systems that they already use. Moodle, Firefly, Google Classroom, ManageBac: whatever VLE is already in place should be used to add the cover work. If your school doesn’t use such systems, or if student access to these systems is an issue (e.g. if students don’t have IT devices), then set paper-based work (if you can) and place it in a visible place in your classroom. If you’re suddenly sick, then you may have to send this work to someone at school to print (e.g. your line manager, or the teachers covering the lessons).

As for the cover teacher, don’t assume that they have been told what to do by line managers or SLT. Contact them directly if you can. Most schools will send out a cover list at the start of the day. If you know who is covering your lessons, then email them directly with the cover work and lesson instructions before the lesson starts.

Communication is crucial when setting cover work. Double-check: Does everyone know what they need to know, and has the information been received?

It’s a good idea to let whoever oversees cover know what the cover work is, too. There can be last-minute changes to cover lists, and the person responsible for overseeing cover can help to communicate your instructions to the assigned cover teachers.

#3: Follow agreed procedures

It amazes me just how many teachers get sick for the first time in a certain academic year, then forget how to communicate their absence to relevant people. Check your school’s Staff Handbook, your contract, or anywhere else where cover instructions are published before you set cover work. The schools I’ve worked at over the years have had vastly different procedures. One school wanted staff to send an SMS to a certain person by a certain time in the morning (for short-term cover), another wanted an email to be sent. One school I worked at required a phone call to be made to a certain individual.

Do you know what your school requires you to do when cover work needs to be set? If you don’t follow agreed procedures, then in some schools that could result in a formal warning, or at least an entry in HR records, which will make your legal situation more tricky if you intend to pursue severance or other benefits when you leave that school.

Do you need to submit a medical certificate for illness, for example? What is the minimum threshold of days that you can be off sick before you need to submit medical evidence? Are there special conditions for Mondays and Fridays, or school events? Make sure you check all of this.

Sometimes, in extreme cases, agreed procedures can be unclear even to senior leadership, so make sure you’ve kept evidence of what you’ve been told to do. I was once sick at a school I worked at and communicated the information to the person whom I was instructed to inform. Apparently, that person didn’t pass on the information, and I was told that covering my lessons for that day became complete ‘chaos’. It wasn’t my fault – I did what I was told to do, and I had evidence that I followed the instructions that were passed on to me. When I was quizzed about things when I came back, I simply presented the instructions I had been given. Nobody could complain anymore: I had followed the agreed procedures. The issue wasn’t my communication – it was the lack of a coherent communication chain in that school to account for short-term cover at a senior level.

Always double-check, and keep evidence that procedures were followed (e.g. emails, screenshots of work posted on VLEs, etc.). You may need this evidence later.

5 Things Every UK School Should Know Before Going Solar

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback)

Illustrated by Sutthiya Lertyongphati

All across the UK, more school leaders are asking whether solar makes sense for them.

In light of energy bills on the rise and wanting to set a better example for their students, many schools are considering this all-important upgrade. 

There are five things every school should know before moving forward. Not technical jargon, not sales promises – just five practical considerations that make the difference between a smooth project and an expensive lesson.

#1: Understand Your Roof

Before anyone starts calculating savings or choosing panel layouts, it’s worth pausing and simply looking up.

Your school roof has probably been doing its job faithfully for years, but how much attention has it received in return? You need to know if it can handle the load of carrying solar for the future. That’s quite a commitment.

If roofing work is likely in the next five years, it makes sense to tackle that first rather than paying twice later. A proper survey isn’t overcautious; it’s wise stewardship.

#2: Energy Profile

Before a single panel goes on the roof, it’s worth understanding how your school actually uses energy. Every site has its own rhythm.

Classrooms, kitchens, sports halls, and boarding facilities all draw power differently throughout the day and across the year. Term time looks very different from half term, and winter demand rarely mirrors summer usage.

Check back over at least 12 months of electricity data to get a clearer picture of your school’s patterns.

#3: Installer Accreditation

A school isn’t just another commercial roof. It’s a live environment with children, staff, timetables, safeguarding protocols, and limited access windows. That brings a level of responsibility that goes beyond panels and wiring.

That’s why working with specialists in solar panels for schools is so important. They understand how to plan around term dates and make the most of holiday windows. They know how to navigate roof access safely and respectfully.

They design systems around daytime energy use patterns instead of applying a generic template. That experience shows in the details and in how smoothly the entire project unfolds.

#4: Planning Requirements

Planning permission has a way of sounding more intense than it often is when it comes to installing solar in the UK.

It brings up images of endless forms, waiting periods, and never ending emails. In reality, it’s usually a conversation – and a sensible one at that.

Most UK school rooftop solar projects fall under permitted development, which keeps things relatively simple. But every school has its own unique story. Schools in listed buildings, conservation areas, and even those with particularly visible rooflines may need to play by new rules.

The best thing to do is check first, not assume.

#5: Funding Options

Installing solar doesn’t always mean writing one intimidatingly large cheque.

Many UK schools have access to grants, community energy partnerships, and government-backed funding options, among others. That removes the upfront capital barrier entirely.

There are also blended approaches, combining fundraising, reserves, and external support. When funding is structured thoughtfully, solar becomes far more achievable than it first appears – and far easier to justify to stakeholders.

In Conclusion

Solar can be a powerful asset for UK schools when it’s approached with proper preparation and perspective.

Old-School Teaching Techniques Are Back!

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback)

Illustrated by Sutthiya Lertyongphati

Accompanying podcast episode:

For years, the narrative in education was clear: more technology means better learning. Classrooms filled with devices, digital textbooks replaced print, and innovation was measured in the number of screens a school could acquire.

Now, after a decade of high-tech experimentation, something fascinating is happening.

Teachers are rediscovering the power of traditional, low-tech methods. Not because they are nostalgic, but because research is proving that these approaches work. As Dylan Wiliam said,

“Not all innovations improve learning. Sometimes, the most effective tools are the simplest.” – Dylan Wiliam

The future of teaching might just look a little like the past.

1. Simplicity Improves Thinking

Too much digital stimulation can overload working memory and reduce focus. According to the Education Endowment Foundation (2020), simplifying lesson design leads to better learning outcomes, especially in problem solving subjects.

Sometimes a whiteboard and a pen allow deeper thinking than a touchscreen ever could.

2. Handwriting Helps Students Remember More

The research is clear: writing notes by hand improves memory and understanding.

“Writing by hand is a stronger cognitive process than typing.”
– Dr. Virginia Berninger

Mueller and Oppenheimer (2014) found that handwritten notes encourage students to summarise and process information, which boosts long-term recall.

When students write by hand, they engage more brain systems than when typing.

3. Teacher-Led Instruction Works

Student autonomy can have a place in education (especially for older students), but explicit teaching often leads to stronger progress.

“Direct instruction is one of the most powerful teaching tools available to educators.”
– Barak Rosenshine

Reports from the Institute of Education Sciences (2018) show that clear modelling and guided practice significantly increase achievement in literacy and numeracy.

4. Retrieval Practice Builds Long-Term Knowledge

There is a reason that quizzes, tests and assessments are back with a vengeance.

“Testing is not a mere assessment tool. It is a learning event.”
– Henry L. Roediger III

Roediger and Karpicke (2006) found that retrieval practice produces far better retention than re-reading or highlighting.

Flashcards and low-stakes quizzes are not outdated. They are brain-friendly.

5. Balance Matters More Than Tech Integration

Digital tools can enhance learning, but they are not magic.

“Technology amplifies great teaching but cannot replace it.”
– John Hattie

Hattie’s Visible Learning meta-analyses (2018) reveal that teacher clarity has a much bigger impact on achievement than technology alone.

Tech is a support. Not the star of the show.

6. Routines Make Students Feel Safe

Predictability allows students to focus on learning rather than uncertainty.

“Structure creates freedom for students to learn.”
– Doug Lemov

Research by Lemov (2021) shows that routines reduce stress and waste less instructional time. Consider building routines for homework, lesson structures, topic reviews, journaling and anything else that may be appropriate.

Are your classroom routines truly embedded?

7. Printed Text Creates Deeper Reading

Screens encourage quick scrolling. Paper encourages processing.

“Digital reading encourages skimming. Print encourages deep reading.”
– Dr Maryanne Wolf

A University of Maryland meta-analysis (2018) found that print improves comprehension, especially when reading for detail or analysis.

8. Human Connection Is the Ultimate Educational Technology

The best learning happens in positive relationships.

“A teacher’s relationship with students is the single biggest factor in classroom success.”
– Robert Marzano

Marzano (2003) found that strong teacher-student relationships equate to several additional months of learning per year.

9. Back to Basics Because Basics Matter

Employers are noticing that many young people lack essential skills.

“Foundational skills are not optional. They are prerequisites for advanced learning.”
– OECD Education Directorate

The OECD Skills Outlook (2021) reports global declines in basic numeracy and literacy. Schools are responding by emphasising phonics, fluency and vocabulary again.

Employers are increasingly reporting that fresh graduates lack basic, essential skills.

10. Paper Helps Students Focus

Digital distraction is now one of the biggest challenges in education.

“Students today face unprecedented levels of distraction. Simpler tools help them concentrate.”
– Dr Larry Rosen

Common Sense Media (2022) reports that teens check their phones more than 100 times per day. A paper worksheet can feel like a break for their brains.

11. Blended Learning Works Best When it is Light on Tech

John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory reminds us that unnecessary complexity restricts learning efficiency.

“Effective teaching is about the intentional selection of methods, not the novelty of tools.”
– John Sweller

The best classrooms blend traditional and digital strategies with purpose.

12. Old-School Methods Now Look Fresh and Innovative

There is a delightful irony in the fact that traditional methods feel new again.

“The future of learning is a balanced classroom where tradition and innovation work together.”
– Sir Ken Robinson

UNESCO (2021) recommends hybrid approaches that keep human interaction at the heart of learning while allowing technology to support, not dominate.

Final Thought

Old-school is not old-fashioned. It is evidence-based.

The lesson schools are learning today is simple: The best methods are the ones that help students think deeply, connect with others, and remember what they learn.

Oftentimes that means closing the laptop and opening a notebook.

Bibliography and References

  1. Common Sense Media (2022) Social Media, Social Life: Teens Reveal Their Experiences. San Francisco: Common Sense Media.
  2. Education Endowment Foundation (2020) Cognitive Load: Using Instructional Approaches to Reduce Learners Mental Burden. London: EEF.
  3. Hattie, J. (2018) Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 1,400 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. London: Routledge.
  4. Institute of Education Sciences (2018) What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Reports. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.
  5. Lemov, D. (2021) Teach Like a Champion 3.0. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
    Marzano, R.J. (2003) What Works in Schools: Translating Research into Action. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
  6. Mueller, P.A. and Oppenheimer, D.M. (2014) The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Psychological Science, 25(6), pp.1159 to 1168.
  7. OECD (2021) OECD Skills Outlook. Paris: OECD Publishing.
  8. Roediger, H.L. and Karpicke, J.D. (2006) Test-Enhanced Learning: Taking Memory Tests Improves Long-Term Retention. Psychological Science, 17(3), pp.249 to 255.
  9. Sweller, J. (2019) Cognitive Load Theory and Educational Technology. Educational Technology Research and Development, 67(2), pp.507 to 528.
  10. University of Maryland (2018) Print vs Digital Reading: A Meta-Analysis on Comprehension. College Park: UMD.
  11. Wiliam, D. (2016) Leadership for Teacher Learning. West Palm Beach, FL: Learning Sciences International.
  12. Wolf, M. (2018) Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World. New York: HarperCollins.
  13. UNESCO (2021) Futures of Education: Learning to Become. Paris: UNESCO.

The 3I/Atlas Enigma: Interstellar Anomalies, the Wow! Signal, and Lessons for the Classroom

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). 

As a science educator with over twenty years of experience, I have spent my career breaking down complex ideas and communicating them in ways that everyone can understand. I am not an astrophysicist, but I do know how to interpret scientific information and present it in a way that is accessible to everyone. That is why I want to take a closer look at the remarkable case of 3I/Atlas: an interstellar object whose behaviour continues to puzzle astronomers and ignite debate across the scientific community.

This is not just another space story. 3I/Atlas is a visitor that defies expectations. From strange chemical traces to electromagnetic fluctuations and delayed image releases, it is forcing scientists to rethink what is possible in the depths of space.

Anomaly 1: The Anti-Tail Reversal

When 3I/Atlas was first observed, astronomers saw an anti-tail: a tail pointing toward the Sun instead of away from it. Weeks later, it suddenly reversed direction. No known natural process can cause such a switch without major internal reconfiguration or controlled changes in its direction of motion (Loeb et al., 2025a; LiveScience, 2025).

Anomaly 2: Erratic Brightness Fluctuations

Typical comets brighten smoothly as they approach the Sun, but 3I/Atlas showed wild brightness jumps and dips, sometimes within hours. These fluctuations do not align with solar heating or gas release models, suggesting something reflective or reactive on the surface that adjusts in real time (Loeb, 2025a; NASA, 2025).

Anomaly 3: Unusual Shape and Rotational Stability

Preliminary light-curve data suggest that 3I/Atlas has an elongated shape and rotates relatively slowly, showing no signs of chaotic tumbling. While this could indicate a degree of rotational stability, the available observations remain limited, and further monitoring will be needed to determine whether the object’s motion is truly stable or simply less variable than that of typical comets (Loeb, 2025b; Wikipedia, 2025).

Anomaly 4: Possible Nickel Tetracarbonyl Signature

Preliminary spectroscopic discussions have mentioned a possible feature resembling nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO)₄): a compound used in industrial nickel refining on Earth. However, this finding has not been independently confirmed, and current spectral data remain inconclusive (Loeb, 2025a; New York Post, 2025).

What has been detected, however, is far more intriguing: nickel in the apparent absence of iron. In natural astrophysical environments, such as stars, meteorites, and planetary cores, nickel is almost always accompanied by comparable or greater amounts of iron, since the two elements form together through stellar nucleosynthesis and coalesce in metallic grains. Detecting nickel without a corresponding iron signature is therefore highly unusual and difficult to explain by known natural processes (Loeb, 2025a; Lodders, 2003; Scott et al., 2015).

Anomaly 5: Possible Non-Gravitational Deceleration

Tracking after the Mars flyby has led to speculation that 3I/Atlas might be experiencing slight non-gravitational forces, potentially consistent with deceleration. However, no confirmed slowdown has yet been observed in published data.

The latest analyses set an upper limit on any non-gravitational acceleration of around 3 × 10⁻¹⁰ AU day⁻², suggesting that if such an effect exists, it is extremely small (arXiv, 2025). Researchers have noted that if future data were to reveal a measurable deceleration, it could imply propulsion, drag modulation, or controlled momentum adjustment: possibilities that extend beyond known natural mechanisms (Loeb, 2025; LiveScience, 2025).

For now, the evidence remains inconclusive, and astronomers continue to monitor 3I/Atlas for further orbital deviations that might clarify the cause of its curious behaviour.

Anomaly 6: Magnetospheric and Radio Anomalies, and the Wow! Connection

I have to say that out of all of the anomalies that 3I/Atlas exhibits, this is the one that intrigues me the most.

As 3I/Atlas neared Mars, some commentators speculated that subtle fluctuations in magnetic and radio readings could have coincided with its closest approach, although no such anomalies have been confirmed by any official data. Researchers continue to monitor the region for potential electromagnetic signatures that might emerge as the object moves through the inner Solar System (Loeb, 2025a).

The most fascinating thing for me, however, is a potential link to one of astronomy’s most famous mysteries: the Wow! Signal of 1977. Detected by Dr. Jerry Ehman at the Big Ear Radio Observatory, this powerful, narrowband radio burst lasted 72 seconds and appeared to originate from the constellation Sagittarius, near the Chi Sagittarii star group (Ehman, 1977). Despite decades of follow-up, the signal was never detected again, and no natural source has ever been identified.

Recent trajectory analyses have suggested that 3I/Atlas entered the Solar System from a broadly similar direction: the same region of the sky near Sagittarius that produced the Wow! Signal. While this could be coincidence, it is an extraordinary one. Both phenomena, the unexplained 1977 signal and the 2025 arrival of 3I/Atlas, involve anomalous data emerging from the same part of space, separated by almost half a century.

There is no evidence yet that the two are directly connected, but the parallel raises compelling questions. If 3I/Atlas did indeed travel from the same interstellar neighbourhood that produced the Wow! Signal, we may be seeing different kinds of data points, one electromagnetic, one physical, that hint at intelligent activity or at least an unknown astrophysical process in that region of space.

Anomaly 7: Delayed HiRISE Image Release

Although NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) reportedly captured HiRISE images of 3I/Atlas during its Mars flyby, none of those images have been released to the public as of yet. The reason for the delay remains unclear, with no official statement from NASA confirming when, or if, the data will be published. It remains unclear whether the data are still being processed, classified, or deprioritised in favour of other mission objectives (Loeb, 2025).

Anomaly 8: A Curious and Convenient Trajectory

Perhaps the most overlooked anomaly is the path that 3I/Atlas is taking through our Solar System. Unlike most interstellar visitors, which arrive at steep angles relative to the ecliptic plane, 3I/Atlas is travelling at an inclination of only about five degrees. This means its orbit lies almost flat in line with the paths of the planets: an orientation that is statistically uncommon for hyperbolic interstellar bodies (NASA, 2025).

In addition, 3I/Atlas has passed relatively close to several major planets on its way through the inner Solar System, including Mars, and its perihelion (the point nearest the Sun) occurs behind the Sun from Earth’s point of view. That geometry has temporarily obscured the object from most direct optical observation, delaying high-resolution imaging from both Earth and space-based telescopes.

While these alignments could easily be coincidental, they have attracted attention from researchers who point out that this trajectory would offer an ideal path for an observational survey of the inner planets, or for a probe seeking to minimise visibility during its solar approach. Whether purely natural or coincidentally efficient, the route of 3I/Atlas remains one of the most striking aspects of its discovery so far (Loeb, 2025a; LiveScience, 2025; NASA, 2025).

Anomaly 9: 3I/Atlas is Massive

The estimated dimensions of 3I/Atlas make it one of the largest interstellar objects ever detected. Preliminary photometric analysis places its diameter at roughly 4 to 6 kilometres, with a mass that could exceed 30 billion tons depending on composition and albedo (NASA, 2025; Loeb, 2025b).

For comparison, 1I/ʻOumuamua measured only a few hundred metres long, and 2I/Borisov, the first confirmed interstellar comet, was about a kilometre across. Objects on the scale of 3I/Atlas are expected to be gravitationally bound within stellar systems, not travelling freely through interstellar space. Its sheer size makes its arrival statistically improbable under current models of ejection and galactic dynamics (Loeb, 2025b).

This anomaly adds to the mystery: a body of such mass should produce a strong and consistent outgassing signature if it were a typical comet, yet no such emission has been confirmed. Its enormous scale, combined with its non-typical chemical and orbital characteristics, continues to challenge natural explanations and keep astronomers re-evaluating how interstellar debris forms and travels.

What it Could All Mean

Each anomaly alone might be explainable, but together they form a pattern that is difficult to dismiss. The combination of unusual metallurgy, electromagnetic irregularities, and possible controlled motion raises the possibility of technology or mechanisms unknown to current science (Loeb et al., 2025a). Even if it is entirely natural, 3I/Atlas likely represents a new class of interstellar object formed under conditions we have never observed before.

How Society Might Respond to Disclosure

If one day it is confirmed that 3I/Atlas is artificial or linked to extraterrestrial intelligence, humanity would face a moment of historic change. Governments would rush to control narratives, markets might wobble, and belief systems would evolve. But our best preparation is not fear: it is education, critical thinking, and open dialogue. The ability to assess evidence calmly and rationally will define how well we adapt.

Lessons for Education: Why This Matters for Teachers and Students

The story of 3I/Atlas is not only for astronomers: it has deep implications for education, especially in how we teach science, inquiry, and critical thinking.

In high schools around the world, science is often taught as a collection of fixed facts: Newton’s laws, the periodic table, the standard model of particle physics. But discoveries like 3I/Atlas remind us that science is not static: it is a living, evolving pursuit of understanding. When the evidence does not fit the model, the model must change. That is the heart of scientific progress.

Teachers can use 3I/Atlas as a case study in scientific curiosity. For instance:

  • Physics and mathematics classes can model the object’s trajectory, deceleration, and tail orientation to practise applying Newtonian and non-gravitational equations.
  • Chemistry lessons can explore how compounds like nickel tetracarbonyl form on Earth, then compare those processes to hypothetical space chemistry.
  • Philosophy or Theory of Knowledge courses can use 3I/Atlas as an example of how humans interpret uncertainty, where data meets belief.
  • STEM clubs can research historical radio anomalies like the Wow! Signal and analyse why repeatability and peer review matter in establishing credibility.

Even more importantly, this event is a powerful opportunity to teach information literacy. In an era where social media amplifies speculation, students need to distinguish peer-reviewed science from pseudoscience. By examining credible sources such as NASA and Harvard preprints alongside media coverage, students develop the ability to assess evidence critically and respectfully.

Teachers can use this topic to inspire awe and a sense of wonder that fuels lifelong learning. Whether 3I/Atlas turns out to be a natural anomaly or something entirely new, it reminds students that discovery begins with curiosity, and that even established science can change when new evidence appears.

That, perhaps, is the most important lesson of all.

Classroom Applications: Practical Ideas for Educators

  • Debate Prompt: “3I/Atlas is an example of how science evolves, not proof of alien life.” Discuss.
  • Data Modelling Exercise: Students use real orbital data to model 3I/Atlas’s path and calculate possible forces acting on it.
  • Ethics in Science Discussion: Explore how data transparency (such as the HiRISE image delay) affects public trust in science.
  • Cross-curricular Extension: Link physics, chemistry, and philosophy by asking: How do we know what we know?
  • Creative Project: Have students write a short story or podcast episode imagining first contact, grounded in real science.

Final Thoughts

3I/Atlas could still be a natural wonder, but its behaviour demands serious attention. From its anti-tail reversal to its unusual nickel signature and delayed imagery, this interstellar traveller is expanding our understanding of what is possible.

Whether it turns out to be a relic of alien engineering or an extraordinary natural object, 3I/Atlas reminds us of something profound: the universe is far from ordinary, and we have only just begun to understand it. As educators, it is our privilege to help the next generation make sense of it.

Bibliography and References

Note: Selected images in this article have been sourced from Pixabay and are free to use under the Pixabay License (no attribution required).

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How to Redesign Learning Spaces for Well-Being and Engagement

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati.

After more than twenty years in education, I have seen classrooms in every imaginable state: from the sterile and rigid to the warm, colourful and alive with creativity. What has always fascinated me is how the design of a learning space quietly shapes the way students feel, think, and behave. Even thinking back to when I was a child at school: the classroom environment mattered to me, a lot!

In my early teaching years, I was utterly convinced that great learning came purely from great teaching. Over time, however, I have come to realise that the classroom environment (both physical and non-physical) matters just as much.

A thoughtfully designed classroom nurtures curiosity, collaboration, and happiness. A poorly designed one, even with the best teacher, can stifle all of those things.

Whether I am working with learners in a secondary science classroom or training corporate teams through my business, Richard James Rogers Corporate Training, one principle remains constant: the environment is acts as a vital teaching assistant.

What follows next are some tips to make your classroom the inviting, comfortable and engaging space that it should be: even if you’re starting from scratch.

Tip #1: Think ‘collaboration’, not ‘control’

Traditional classrooms were built for order, with rows of desks facing a single direction and the teacher as the focal point. That structure mirrors an industrial-age mindset that prioritises efficiency over engagement.

I remember one classroom early in my career where the layout made every lesson feel like a lecture, and students seemed to settle into listening rather than interacting. I was teaching in a science lab that had been built in the 1930s! The teachers desk was even on a stage (I’m not joking), and was elevated above the desks of the students.

I attempted to change the layout as best as I could mid-year, moving chairs into clusters, adding a corner for peer discussion, and letting students pick their seats. The impact was immediate: more voices in class, more movement, and more peer-to-peer help.

Research supports this shift. Classrooms that allow students to reconfigure their learning spaces, work in groups, and move freely can improve academic progress by as much as 16 per cent (Barrett et al., 2015).

When students have ownership of their environment, they feel a greater sense of belonging and motivation.

Key Takeaway: Create ‘zones’ for presentation, discussion, and quiet reflection. Give students the freedom to choose where they learn best.

Tip #2: Light, colour and air matter more than you might think

In my corporate workshops, I often talk about the power of small details such as lighting, colour, and even scent in influencing focus and creativity. The same applies to classrooms.

I recall a science lab with harsh fluorescent lighting and grey furniture, where even the brightest experiments seemed flat. It was dark, it smelt bad (it had just been built and stank of various solvents) and even the plumbing hadn’t been sorted properly. Later that year, when we replaced some lighting with daylight-mimicking LEDs, introduced a plant, and painted one wall a soft green, students began commenting that the room ‘felt calmer’ and ‘easier to think in’.

Environmental psychology shows that lighting, colour, and air quality directly affect concentration and emotional well-being (Cheryan et al., 2014; Tanner, 2008). Natural light sharpens alertness, calming colours reduce anxiety, and clean air supports cognitive function.

Key Takeaway: Bring natural elements into the classroom. Plants, daylight, and natural materials boost mood and reduce stress hormones (Li & Sullivan, 2016).

Tip #3: Furniture must fit the learner

Comfort is not an indulgence in teaching. It is a gateway to productivity. Whether in a classroom or a corporate training room, poorly designed furniture can send the wrong message: that the students don’t come first.

Ergonomic, adjustable furniture reduces strain and supports sustained engagement (Parcells, Stommel & Hubbard, 1999). Flexible arrangements make it easy to shift from discussion to collaboration to independent study (Rands & Gansemer-Topf, 2017).

Think of your favourite coffee shop. Is the furniture comfortable or uncomfortable? Successful restaurants and coffee houses understand the power of cosy furniture and surroundings in driving success, and it’s high time that schools realised it too.

Key Takeaway: Choose furniture that adapts to learning needs, if you can. Movable desks, adjustable chairs, cushions, etc. Flexibility signals trust and respect.

Tip #4: Design for neurodiversity

In inclusive classrooms, I have seen how noise, glare, or visual clutter can quietly exclude certain learners. One student I taught was bright in science but withdrew when the lab group became loud and the lighting flickered. Creating a quiet corner with soft lighting and clear visual boundaries gave that student a place to recalibrate, and from then on they participated more freely.

Neurodiverse students in particular may find typical classroom environments overwhelming (Botha & Frost, 2020). Simple design changes such as soft lighting, quiet corners, and visual order can dramatically improve comfort and focus (Ashburner et al., 2008).

Key Takeaway: Ask students what makes them feel calm and focused. Their insights often reveal inexpensive but transformative changes.

Tip #5: Consider the social architecture of learning

Classrooms are not just physical spaces: they are emotional ecosystems. The way we arrange furniture, display student work, and design shared areas communicates value and belonging.

In one school, I turned a corridor wall into a ‘student voice’ gallery: photos of projects, quotes, and creative pieces. Suddenly, students would pause by that wall; they felt seen. That sense of recognition carried into the classroom.

When student work is showcased proudly, engagement increases. When collaborative zones are designed intentionally, relationships flourish (Korpershoek et al., 2019).

Key Takeaway: Display work that tells a story of growth. Create informal zones for conversation, peer feedback, and mentoring.

Tip #6: Think of well-being as a design principle

In my training sessions with Richard James Rogers Corporate Training, I emphasise that well-being is not a programme: it is a design philosophy. The same applies in education more generally, too.

A well-designed classroom says ‘you are safe, seen, and capable’ before a word is spoken. The OECD (2021) places well-being at the heart of education in its Learning Compass 2030 framework, and it’s important tat we, as educators, recognise the profound impact that classroom design principles can have on our students sense of well-being.

I remember an IBDP class of 18-year olds where one student sat in the back corner, visibly withdrawn. I moved their seat into a small group circle near the window, offered a more comfortable chair that didn’t wobble, and asked for their opinion on how the classroom could feel better. By the end of the term, that student had become a peer mentor for others.

Sometimes the changes we make can be as simple as shifting a seat and making space for voices to be heard.

Key Takeaway: When you design a learning space, ask: does it encourage movement, curiosity, and connection? If so, then you are already designing for well-being.

Overall conclusion

Learning spaces should do more than contain lessons. They should inspire them. When we design with well-being in mind, we elevate not only academic outcomes but also joy, confidence, and belonging.

As educators and leaders, we design not just classrooms. We design cultures of care and creativity. The walls, the light, the layout, all tell a story. Let it be one that says:

‘You belong here. You can grow here.’

Bibliography and references

  • Ashburner, J., Ziviani, J. and Rodger, S., 2008. Sensory processing and classroom emotional, behavioural, and educational outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), pp.564–573.
  • Barrett, P., Zhang, Y., Moffat, J. and Kobbacy, K., 2015. A holistic, multi-level analysis identifying the impact of classroom design on pupils’ learning. Building and Environment, 89, pp.118–133.
  • Botha, M. and Frost, D., 2020. Extending the neurodiversity paradigm: Autism, identity and learning space inclusion. Disability & Society, 35(8), pp.1364–1386.
  • Cheryan, S., Ziegler, S.A., Plaut, V.C. and Meltzoff, A.N., 2014. Designing classrooms to maximise student achievement. Policy Insights from the Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 1(1), pp.4–12.
  • Fisher, K., 2016. The New Learning Environments Research Group: Linking pedagogy and space. The University of Melbourne.
  • Heschong, L., 2003. Daylighting and human performance. ASHRAE Journal, 45(6), pp.65–67.
  • Korpershoek, H., Canrinus, E.T., Fokkens-Bruinsma, M. and de Boer, H., 2019. The relationships between school belonging and students’ motivational, social-emotional, behavioural, and academic outcomes: A meta-analytic review. Educational Research Review, 27, pp.100–118.
  • Li, D. and Sullivan, W.C., 2016. Impact of views to school landscapes on recovery from stress and mental fatigue. Landscape and Urban Planning, 148, pp.149–158.
  • Oblinger, D.G., 2006. Learning Spaces. EDUCAUSE, Washington, DC.
  • OECD, 2021. The Future of Education and Skills 2030: OECD Learning Compass Framework. Paris: OECD Publishing.
  • Parcells, C., Stommel, M. and Hubbard, R.P., 1999. Mismatch of classroom furniture and student body dimensions: Empirical findings and health implications. Journal of Adolescent Health, 24(4), pp.265–273.
  • Rands, M.L. and Gansemer-Topf, A.M., 2017. The room itself is active: How classroom design impacts student engagement. Journal of Learning Spaces, 6(1), pp.26–33.
  • Tanner, C.K., 2008. Explaining relationships among student outcomes and the school’s physical environment. Journal of Advanced Academics, 19(3), pp.444–471.


Back to Basics: How to Set a Summative Assessment

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati.

Welcome to this first ever blog post in the Back to Basics series: a collection of articles designed to get straight to the point and offer advice that you can implement in the classroom right away.

In today’s piece, I’ll be sharing my tips on how to set a summative test for your students. These tips are based on more than twenty years of secondary school teaching experience so pay attention: all of what I’m about to share was learned through painful, long and arduous trial-and-error.

Tip #1: Always Give Your Students a Topic List to Study From

If your students don’t know what’s going to come up on the test, then how can they study or revise for it? It seems like such simple advice, doesn’t it? Yet, too many teachers are telling students that “You have a test on what we’ve covered so far”, or that “I’ll give you a test on Unit 1”, without explicitly telling the children which sub-topics, or content areas, in “Unit X’ or ‘what we’ve covered so far’ will be tested.

The bottom line is that you must give your students a list of what they need to revise. This could be as simple as writing a list of topics on the whiteboard for them to copy into their books, or sharing the topic list on their VLE (e.g. Google Classroom, Firefly, Moodle, Managebac, and so on).

Pro tip (next level): Don’t simply share the official syllabus or specification with he students. Even older children need the course content broken down into ‘kid friendly’ language. Make the topic list understandable, and accessible.

Testing Tip #2: Give Your Students Advance Warning

Setting a test the next day, or the next lesson, simply isn’t fair. Don’t you remember when you were in school? Didn’t you need time to study for a test?

Give your students advance notice that a test is happening. The bigger the test, the more time for revision will be needed. Small, end of unit tests may only require a week of advance notice to be given to the students, for example. Larger tests, such as mid-terms, end-of-term, or end of year exams may require a month or more of advance warning. Have you shared the topic list in advance too? You need to!

Testing Tip #3: ALL Summative Assessments MUST Come With Official Answers

These ‘marking schemes’ could be pulled from past-exam papers (if you’re building a test from such questions), textbooks, online question banks, rubrics, or (if you’re struggling to find resources), even an official marking scheme you’ve written yourself.

They key thing to remember here is that your students will need to know where they’ve messed up when the exam is finished, and how they could have scored better. This can only happen if there is an official set of ‘model answers’ that can be given to the students once the test has been marked and feedback has been given.

Some teachers are scared of providing marking schemes in case the students find out that they’ve not been awarded a mark or two when they should have been. Please don’t worry: slightly inaccurate marking is something that all teachers make the mistake of doing from time-to-time. I’ve been teaching for more than twenty years and I still sometimes miss marks that should have been awarded. Having an official marking scheme is actually really good for this purpose: it keeps you and your students accountable, engaged in the learning process and invested in making progress.

Testing Tip #4: Feedback Must be Timely and Specific

You suddenly find yourself with stacks of exam papers to mark, a full timetable to teach and no time to get everything done. I get it. I’ve been there many times.

Somehow, however, you’ve got to get that feedback to the chidlren as soon as you can. Feedback that is delayed is less useful because students forget the details, lose context, or have moved on. Immediate or prompt feedback allows students to make corrections while the material is still fresh.

Several studies argue that delaying feedback reduces its impact. In a study by Vattøy et al. (2021), for example, it was shown that feedback should be “provided timely, extensively, and cumulatively”.

Testing Tip #5: Use Tests for Target Setting

This is probably the one step that the overwhelming majority of teachers forget to action. Once a test is finished, and feedback is given, we tend to forget about it and never revisit it.

This is a huge mistake and a massive loss of both leverage and educational capital.

In a previous blog post entitled Using Data to Empower Students, I described how we, as teachers, are generally very good at collecting data but we are often unsure what to do with that data once it’s collected.

The answer is simple: students need to reflect on their assessments and create personal targets (and the teacher needs to know what those targets are). This could be as simple as the students writing targets on the front of the completed paper, with the teacher then taking a photograph of those targets before inputting them into a spreadsheet.

Then comes the real magic! Before the next test, be sure to ask each student “What’s your target for this test?”, or “What targets did you write down last time?”. Ask these questions often: you’ll be amazed at how powerful they can be!

Bibliography and References

Vattøy, K-D., Gamlem, S. M. & Rogne, W. M. (2021) Examining students’ feedback engagement and assessment experiences: a mixed study. Studies in Higher Education, 46(11), pp. 2325-2337. doi:10.1080/03075079.2020.1723523

The Top 5 Skills Employers Want in 2025 (and How Schools Should Respond)

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers (Award-Winning Author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback). This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati.

Sometimes it is necessary for teachers to reflect on the overall purpose of education. After all, knowing the why will often give us new perspectives on the how.

Many thought-leaders have articulated their ideas on what the purpose of education should be. Some notable quotes are given below:

“The purpose of education is to give to the body and to the soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable.”

– Plato

“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.”

– John F. Kennedy

The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.”

– Robert Maynard Hutchins

In my 2019 blog post entitled 5 Things Schools Should be Teaching Kids (But Most Aren’t) I came straight to the point with my thoughts on what the purpose of education is (albeit much less elegantly that the esteemed individuals quoted above):

School must prepare students for life

– Richard James Rogers

My statement is probably most aligned with that of Robert Maynard Hutchins (the legendary American educational philosopher and former Chancellor of the University of Chicago and, to my shame, a person I had only heard about during my research for this blog post). It brings me great satisfaction to know that I and such an esteemed and well-respected educator are pretty much in agreement: even if our opinions are more than a few decades apart! (Hutchins was born in 1899).

Schools must prepare students for life, but what does that actually look like in 2025 (and beyond)? Today, I’ll deliver a condensed version of my research into the top 5 skills employers are looking for, and what schools (and, by inference, teachers) should do about it.

#1 In-Demand Skill for 2025: AI Literacy and Human/AI Collaboration

Unless you’ve been meditating in a remote forest somewhere for the past three years, you’ll know that AI, and particularly GenAI, has skyrocketed in capability, use-applications and accessibility. Everybody who’s anybody in the corporate training or online education sector is offering courses in AI integration and for a good reason: there’s a lot of money to be made! Additionally, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 lists “AI and big data” as the top technological skills that are projected to “grow in importance more rapidly than any other skills in the next five years”.

I will admit openly that I have also jumped on this bandwagon: I have personally completed four very detailed online courses covering AI integration this year (see my LinkedIn profile for details) and I now offer AI integration as one of my corporate training workshops (and it’s proving to be one of my most popular).

Bottom line for teachers:

  • Learn AI skills and get certified (there’s lots of free and inexpensive courses available online).
  • Once you have some foundational knowledge (or have access to someone who does) build a spiral AI curriculum (including ethics, prompting, verification, model limits), and embed AI use across subjects in schemes of work (e.g., AI-assisted drafting in English; model evaluation in Science, and so on).
  • Keep up to date with the latest use cases of AI in education (this topic stream by Edutopia is well-worth bookmarking!)

#2: In-Demand Skill for 2025: Data Literacy and Analytical Thinking

In July 2025, Elon Musk weighed in on the debate about what children should study in the age of AI. Responding to a call for students to prioritise mathematics, he argued that the true focus should be “Physics (with math)”, highlighting his belief that a deep grasp of fundamental principles, supported by mathematics, is more valuable than coding alone in an AI-driven world. Additionally, The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 makes clear that analytical thinking is still one of the top core skills employers expect to be in high demand by 2030.

Bottom line for teachers:

  • Encourage deep learning (as opposed to ‘surface learning’) in all subjects through guided activities (see my blog post here as a starting point).
  • Require students to source and clean datasets from time-to-time and include activities where students choose appropriate displays, quantify uncertainty, and write claims with evidence. My blog post entitled Putting Numbers Into Everything offers a good launchpad of ideas from which you can start this process in your lessons.

#3: In-Demand Skill for 2025: Cybersecurity and Digital Trust

According to the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study (which is the latest available study, at the time of writing), the world is short of nearly 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals, and almost nine out of ten teams say they lack key cybersecurity skills. With AI bringing both powerful new tools and serious new risks, the call is growing for people who can think critically about digital safety and design systems that are secure from the start. For schools, this is a clear signal: cyber-awareness and responsible use of AI should be part of every student’s education, not just for future specialists but for all young people who will live and work in a digital world.

Bottom line for teachers:

  • Build cyber-awareness into everyday lessons. Connect topics like passwords, phishing, and data privacy to students’ daily digital use, not just to IT classes.
  • Treat AI as both a tool and a topic. Encourage students to explore how AI can help (e.g. with research and problem-solving) while also discussing its risks (such as bias and security breaches). This great blog by LittleLit gives five AI tools that can be tailored for use by children, and I would recommend all teachers reading this to look at ways to bring a few of these into your lessons.
  • Practise ‘secure-by-design’ thinking: When students create projects, apps, or even presentations, have them consider safety, privacy, and ethical use as part of the design process. See my blog post about design thinking to get started.

#4: In-Demand Skill for 2025: Sustainability Literacy

Employers are warning about a major shift from 2025 onwards: environmental stewardship is expected to be one of the fastest-growing skill demands globally. Recruitment needs for so-called “green skills” is already rising more quickly than the supply of qualified workers. LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2024/25 shows that this growth will continue worldwide, with the gap between demand and supply projected to widen steadily through 2030 to 2050.

Bottom line for teachers:

  • Use real data in lessons: In maths or ICT, have students analyse datasets on carbon emissions or renewable energy growth. This builds both numeracy and awareness of global sustainability trends. National Geographic Kids is a great resource for acquiring some useful data for projects.
  • Run project-based learning on green innovation: In science or design technology, set tasks like designing a low-waste product, creating a model of a solar-powered device, or calculating the energy savings from switching to LED lighting. Initiatives that encourage students to reduce single-use plastic, or to reduce printing costs, can also raise awareness in powerful ways.

#5: In-Demand Skill for 2025: Communication

According to Lightcast, a leading labour-market analytics firm, 76% of job postings request at least one durable (human) skill, with communication consistently ranking among the most in demand. The World Economic Forum highlights related skills such as creative thinking, resilience, and leadership/social influence as essential for the workforce of 2025 and beyond.

Bottom line for teachers

  • Do more in-class group/individual presentations. Students can use Google Slides, Canva or other technology to present their ideas. See my blog post on tips for slide presentations (aimed at teachers, but applicable to students) for top tips on getting the delivery right.
  • Design lessons that force students to work through ambiguity, such as group work, debates, and peer review, so they build resilience, leadership, and creative thinking, which are rising fast as employer priorities.

Conclusion

So what does all of this mean for us in the classroom? The future world of work is crying out for five big things: AI know-how, data smarts, cyber-savvy thinking, green awareness, and those all-important human skills like communication and resilience. The good news is that we don’t need to bolt these on as extra lessons. Instead, we can weave them into what we already do: use AI tools for research, crunch real-world data in maths or science, chat about online safety whenever tech comes up, link projects to sustainability, and give students plenty of chances to work together and present their ideas.

Bibliography and references

Check out my award-winning book on Amazon (click on the image below):

ChatGPT 5 and Beyond: My Top 3 AI Tools for Teachers in 2025 and Beyond

Posted on by richardjamesrogers

An article by Richard James Rogers, award-winning author of The Quick Guide to Classroom Management: 45 Secrets That All High School Teachers Need to Know and The Power of Praise: Empowering Students Through Positive Feedback

This blog post has been beautifully illustrated by Pop Sutthiya Lertyongphati.

Accompanying podcast episode:

We’ve all been swept up by the hype that has come in the wake of the creation of generative AI (aka GenAI) systems. Back in 2023, when ChatGPT was launched, its capability was limited to text generation, spell checking and rudimentary admin work. Now, however, the form factors of GenAI come in so many shapes and sizes. People are using AI to create slide presentations, images and videos, to record meeting notes, to generate complex documents such as spreadsheets and academic papers and even to act as virtual therapists.

One thing that I would like to assure all of my readers about is that I have NOT used GenAI to write this blog post. I believe that bloggers, journalists, reporters and writers have a duty to be genuine and sincere. That’s why, from now on, you’ll see this badge on my blog posts as a verified symbol of my authenticity:

And, before we begin, I think this juxtaposition is a good place to launch my tips from: AI tools can save us tons and tons of time, but they cannot replicate human authenticity. For someone who’s an award-winning author, like myself, it’s actually very easy to tell when an email, for example, has been created solely from prompt engineering. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that GenAI is a bad thing: it’s just that there are optimal and sub-optimal ways of using such systems, which I will outline today.

DISCLAIMER: Always check your school’s policies and procedures before using any GenAI system. If in doubt, check with your school’s senior leadership team.

My Top Three Use Cases for GenAI Systems as a Teacher

#1. Creating slide presentations: Gamma.app

I recently discovered this system when preparing to deliver one of my corporate training workshops. Here’s what I love about it:

  1. You can generate very high quality slides from simple prompts, in a matter of seconds. It’s very good for quick slide preparation (even quicker than sourcing slides from places like the TES, for example).
  2. The content produced is really, really good!
  3. Slides come with AI generated images (which are brilliant), which saves you the hassle of having to include citations/captions when attributing images to their sources.

Things to consider:

  1. The text produced on the slides can be quite small, in parts, so you may have to change font sizes afterwards.
  2. A free trial only gives you so many generations, and the slides come with the Gamma logo on them. However, the logo is removed if you pay for the full subscription, which is only US $8 per month (billed annually at US $96). This plan gives you unlimited AI generation for slide decks up to 20 slides per time (which fulfills most of my needs as a teacher).

Here’s an example of a slide that Gamma created for me recently:

Overall, Gamma is an excellent system and I recommend teachers everywhere to give it a go. Do the free trial and see if it is the right app for you. I personally signed up for the Plus plan, as I can see Gamma being an excellent assistant for a lot of the presentations I deliver.

#2. Recording meeting notes: Otter.ai

This is probably the app that will make you gaze in wonder the most when you first try it – at least that’s what happened to me! Gone are the days when you need to hurriedly write down everything you could manage to hear in a meeting, and then figure what to do (and by when) once the meeting was over. Otter does all of that for you.

By listening to the meeting conversation, Otter can identify speakers and transcribe the meeting as it happens, in real-time. It’ll even provide a summary of what was said at the end, along with a list of key action items (you’ll be amazed at how much it picks up, and how much you missed, when you see it!). The action items even come with check boxes for you to tick off when they’re done!

Like Gamma, Otter allows you a limited free trial (300 monthly minutes of meetings). For the Pro version, which gives you 1200 transcription minutes per month (with a maximum of 90 minutes per meeting), the price is US $8.33 per month (billed annually as US $99.99).

I’ve not (yet) gone for the pro version of Otter, but it is something I’m considering. One thing I hate about meetings is the inability to be fully present as I feel the need to constantly make written notes. With Otter, I can see myself relaxing and being fully attentive whilst the system transcribes everything for me.

#3. Your Overall Personal Assistant: ChatGPT 5 (and further iterations)

GPT 5 has been hailed as a “PhD Level” assistant by its creators, Open AI. Interestingly, as if by a weird mixing of Murphy’s Law with a slap-in-the-face, I made a video all about the three apps I’ve mentioned today on August 7th, which you will see below. In that video, I mentioned ChatGPT 4 as one of my favourites. Later that day, I found out that ChatGPT 5 had just been released (that very same day!). Talk about a coincidence!

@richard_james_rogers

My favourite GenAI apps for teachers in 2025. #GenAI #AI

♬ original sound – Duet Cats – Duet Cats

I’ve only had two days to test ChatGPT 5 and, to be honest, I’ve not seen much of a difference (yet) between it and ChatGPT 4. However, if it really is a better version of GPT 4, then it is destined to be absolutely awesome!

ChatGPT is my go-to app for a variety of generative needs. Here’s what teachers all around the world have told me about how they use ChatGPT:

  • A personal therapist: ChatGPT is capable of participating in complex conversations, which makes it ideal for therapy. It offers non-biased, factual advice that can really make people feel reassured. I recently went through a mini-crisis in my life, which is very personal to me, and I found ChatGPT to be an amazing ‘friend’. It analysed my situation fully, and in a balanced way, and made me feel a lot better. It also gave me great advice. Please be aware, however, that some researchers do have legitimate concerns about using AI systems as personal therapists, so definitely consider this before using ChatGPT in this way.
  • Creating student report cards: ChatGPT can create report cards in a matter of seconds, which you can easily copy and paste into your school’s system. As mentioned in the disclaimer at the top of this blog post: please CHECK WITH YOUR SCHOOL FIRST before using GenAI in this way. If you get the green light from SLT, then remember to be a good ‘prompt engineer’: you may need to iterate outputs as they are generated. Don’t forget to specify the genders of the students you are reporting on, and provide the system with enough information to create accurate report cards. ALWAYS double-check for accuracy.
  • Other generative needs: ChatGPT can create pretty much anything that you ask it too: images, Excel files, slides, and so on. However, the quality of these outputs can vary. I recommend using specialised apps (such as Gamma for slides, Otter for meetings, etc.) if you have special, and regular, use cases.

The dreaded em dash: a penultimate thought

One dead giveaway of GenAI content is the dreaded em dash, which looks like this: (—). It’s basically a very long hyphen, which is very, very rarely used in everyday situations. Even as an award-winning author, I never use em dashes in my books (unless my proofreader inserts them). There isn’t even an em dash key on standard computer keyboards. Instead, it is accessed through alt codes or special inputs. If you want your GenAI content to look more genuine, then I recommend specifying in your prompts that em dashes should not be used, or tell the system to remove em dashes during the iteration process.

My thoughts on the current stigma surrounding GenAI usage in schools

Unfortunately, whilst the corporate sector is scrambling to create smart workflows using GenAI systems, schools are woefully lagging far behind. In the teaching profession generally, the use of AI systems for the reasons I have specified today is still frowned upon. Even sourcing slides that other people have made is looked upon unfavorably by some school leaders. This, sadly, has caused a lot of teachers to go ‘underground’ and use GenAI covertly.

Things will have to change soon, however. I have been doing a lot of courses in AI this year (check out my LinkedIn profile to see my certs) and I can tell you sincerely: it’s FRIGHTENING how advanced GenAI has already become. These systems are already breathtakingly good, and they’re only going to get better. Sooner or later, the stigma surrounding teachers usage of GenAI in schools will have to dissolve: it’s the only way that schools are going to be able to stay relevant.