Learning and Teaching Practical Skills

This book combines the unique and unlikely duo of popular TV shows and pedagogy to help teachers and trainers support their students' skills development. Aimed at post-16 teachers, educators, and trainers of all vocational and technical disciplines, it encourages readers to relate the examples from popular culture and TV to their teaching toolkit. It is aligned to the Occupational Areas 1-8 within the new Diploma in FE, and is also suitable for those doing the Apprenticeship in FE teaching

The book uses examples from famous reality TV shows to reflect on how people learn practical skills such as baking, dancing, ice skating, sewing and pottery. Discussing everyday examples from TV with which readers may be familiar provides an innovative and engaging starting point to explore all aspects of teaching and learning a skill - including observation, demonstration, practice, feedback and assessment.

It encourages readers to think about TV shows such as Masterchef, Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing from the point of view of the teacher. The unique mix of seemingly low-brow popular culture combined with serious pedagogy offers key insights for learning and teaching, including critical discussion of topics such as inclusion and the value of formative feedback. Teachers and trainers will develop their own knowledge and skills to support the practical skills development of their students.