The problem is, of course, that if students do better in their exams, year on year, the press immediately suggest that the exams are getting easier. The notion that teaching is getting more effective seems to be beyond the ability of journalists to grasp.

And yet this is certainly what is happening – not least because of the growing use of systems in which the students learn in the most efficient manner possible.

We know this is being achieved because each year, for the past seven years, the Fischer Family Trust (FFT) has conducted independent studies investigating the effectiveness of eLearning through which the students work individually, building step by step on existing knowledge.

As Mike Treadaway, Head of Research at FFT, said recently, “The research we’ve done over the years has consistently shown that the level of use (of SAM Learning) does make a difference…

The results, Mike added, are very encouraging: “10 hours will typically get (students) a grade higher in two subjects, if it’s 20 hours, it may be four subjects.”

Of course, the journalists won’t appreciate the extra effectiveness of the teaching and learning techniques being introduced, but that remains their problem. What most people realise is that there is another explanation for improvement.

If you would like to see how SAM Learning increases the effectiveness of learning and thus raises exam grades, I’d be delighted to arrange a free demonstration of the service in your school.

To arrange a free demonstration please call us on 0845 130 4160 or email us at hello@samlearning.com.

You can also find more information on our website.

Teaching professional video editing techniques is an exciting way to encourage creativity. But, as we all know, some students always pick it up faster than others.

Serif MoviePlus X6 makes high-end video editing accessible to every student – by combining exciting, professional tools used in industry with an easy interface.

And if you go to http://www.serif.com/MX6R – Serif will send you a free copy of MoviePlus X6 to keep.

From tools to quickly remove camera shake, to high-end Green Screening and Colour Pass effects, MoviePlus X6 is the ideal package to create exciting, fit for purpose videos. Easy to use, every student can create a professional layered video to communicate ideas, while more able students can learn the key skills used in industry.

For your free copy of Serif MoviePlus X6 (worth €75), go to http://www.serif.com/MX6R

Offer is limited to one free copy per school, with licences available from just €16 a user – but we guarantee you’re under no commitment.

Claire Macdonald
Education Business Manager
Serif (Europe) Ltd

Phone: 1800 937 327
Email: edusales@serif.co.uk

If there is danger, the hand moves to provide defence. If there is a delicate task, the hand is called upon. If contact is required with an unknown object, the hand goes first.

Which helps us to understand why handwriting is so important. For not only does good handwriting make it easier for exam markers to read the student’s script, but it also develops hand, eye and brain co-ordination.

This means that as well as helping with exam scores, good handwriting gives students the chance to develop their essential fine motor skills.

This is why we have produced not just the Handwriting Rescue Scheme for fully cursive handwriting, but also two books of follow-on-exercises.

First, the Handwriting Rescue scheme: it contains over 300 copiable structured exercises designed to establish complete cursive letter formation. Tests have shown that the use of such material encourages the development of an automatic response to frequently used spelling choices.

Second, moving beyond Handwriting Rescue we have the follow-on-exercises.

Each of these two books contains 65 copiable activities which help with the embedding of cursive letter formation across every letter combination in the language.

As such, the volumes cover both key words and irregular words. Additionally, they cover the writing of speech marks, handwriting practice with useful word lists, and exercises writing of frequently misspelt words.

In effect, through the profound brain-hand connection the students can learn to improve their handwriting while simultaneously improving their grasp of the written language.

There are more details of Handwriting Rescue follow-on-exercises Book 1 on our website.

You can also find information on Handwriting Rescue follow-on-exercises Book 2 by clicking here.

If you already have the Handwriting Rescue Scheme and purchase both follow-on books they will be supplied at a 10% discount.

The Handwriting Rescue course itself should be used before the follow-on books. You can find more information on the course on our website.

If you have not purchased the Rescue Scheme already you can buy the Scheme and the follow-on books for the special price of £85.

You can order The Handwriting Rescue Scheme and follow-on materials in any of these ways:

• On our website at the above links
• By phone on 01604 505000
• By fax to 01604 505001
• By email to info@msl-online.net
• By post to Multi-Sensory Learning, Highgate House, Creaton, Northants, NN6 8NN