DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
Dr Megan Dixon: teacher, leader and researcher. PhD, Psychology. All things education and research - literacy, English, research into practice, curriculum, SEND. TES writer. Based in the UK.
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
https://meganjanedixon.co.uk/2026/01/02/pivoting/
Pinned
DamsonEd
@damsoned.bsky.social
· May 8
What schools are doing to tackle the speech and language ‘crisis’
The number of children with speech and language challenges is soaring. And not all of these pupils have SEND. Experts tell Ellen Peirson-Hagger how in-school intervention is possible - and highly effe...
www.tes.com
On the back of this article- a thread of useful places for schools/teachers who are interested in finding out more… as I say, this has been a serious issue for a long time… it would be powerful to get a serious handle on it (with obvious impact on ed outcomes).
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
www.tes.com/magazine/ana...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Please make sure you know the symptoms of breast cancer. I only caught mine early because I had dimpling in my breast and knew it was a symptom so I saw my GP. Please check your breasts regularly for changes and see a GP if you have symptoms mentioned below
February 4, 2026 at 6:56 PM
Please make sure you know the symptoms of breast cancer. I only caught mine early because I had dimpling in my breast and knew it was a symptom so I saw my GP. Please check your breasts regularly for changes and see a GP if you have symptoms mentioned below
Reposted by DamsonEd
That would be Will Lewis. Knighted, inevitably, by Boris Johnson.
A publisher who lays off a reporter whose pen is freezing because she's covering a frigid war zone while dodging missiles is not an editor you want to work for, in a more perfect world
February 4, 2026 at 6:54 PM
That would be Will Lewis. Knighted, inevitably, by Boris Johnson.
Reposted by DamsonEd
'for an estimated 4% of people, this mental imagery is weak or absent. When researchers ask them to imagine something familiar, they might have a concept of what it is, and words and associations might come to mind, but they describe their mind’s eye as dark or even blank.'
Many people have no mental imagery. What’s going on in their brains?
People with aphantasia are offering a window into consciousness.
www.nature.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:19 AM
'for an estimated 4% of people, this mental imagery is weak or absent. When researchers ask them to imagine something familiar, they might have a concept of what it is, and words and associations might come to mind, but they describe their mind’s eye as dark or even blank.'
Reposted by DamsonEd
Reposted by DamsonEd
Do schools need to change course on behaviour?
Research offers a number of approaches to tackling behaviour that have had little large-scale run out in schools - is that because teachers don't trust them or they haven't had chance to prove they work?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Research offers a number of approaches to tackling behaviour that have had little large-scale run out in schools - is that because teachers don't trust them or they haven't had chance to prove they work?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Do schools need to change course on behaviour?
'Bad' behaviour is damaging teacher wellbeing and disrupting learning, despite successive governments trying to tackle it. Could findings from behavioural psychology and child development hold the ans...
www.tes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Do schools need to change course on behaviour?
Research offers a number of approaches to tackling behaviour that have had little large-scale run out in schools - is that because teachers don't trust them or they haven't had chance to prove they work?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Research offers a number of approaches to tackling behaviour that have had little large-scale run out in schools - is that because teachers don't trust them or they haven't had chance to prove they work?
www.tes.com/magazine/tea...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Today the UK government has published its National Cancer Plan for England.
Read our full response here: breastcancernow.org/about-us/med...
Read our full response here: breastcancernow.org/about-us/med...
We welcome UK Government’s commitment to secure greatest improvement in cancer outcomes this century
breastcancernow.org
February 4, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Today the UK government has published its National Cancer Plan for England.
Read our full response here: breastcancernow.org/about-us/med...
Read our full response here: breastcancernow.org/about-us/med...
Reposted by DamsonEd
And these are largely educationalists submitting these articles I presume. Which makes it even scarier
February 4, 2026 at 3:12 PM
And these are largely educationalists submitting these articles I presume. Which makes it even scarier
Reposted by DamsonEd
Lovely words, Megan, and always one of our most thoughtful writers!
February 4, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Lovely words, Megan, and always one of our most thoughtful writers!
Reposted by DamsonEd
1/2 'In social psychology, the current ease of online surveys, vignette experiments and so on only reinforces a point made 20 years ago that studies of "behaviour" are rare compared to studies of self-report....'
Our study of three of the 2024 anti-asylum-seeker riots now accepted for publication at J of Community & Applied Social Psych.
Link to pre-print below.
www.qeios.com/read/17ASAP
Link to pre-print below.
www.qeios.com/read/17ASAP
Understanding the 2024 Summer Riots in the UK: Three Case Studies
The wave of riots in England in summer 2024 were followed by swift policy responses before any detailed empirical investigation had been carried out. This paper presents case studies of the disorders ...
www.qeios.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:55 PM
1/2 'In social psychology, the current ease of online surveys, vignette experiments and so on only reinforces a point made 20 years ago that studies of "behaviour" are rare compared to studies of self-report....'
Reposted by DamsonEd
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
February 4, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Just a quick note to @greenparty.org.uk and @greenpartyhan.bsky.social - I was not consulted on being quoted on your leaflets and I have not endorsed your campaign (or any campaign in this seat). I think this note, like the bar chart next to it, is misleading and out of context.
Reposted by DamsonEd
The government is planning to 'update' its guidance on collective worship in England’s schools after the Supreme Court ruled the delivery of the practice in Northern Ireland was unlawful
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
Government to 'update' collective worship guidance
Move comes after landmark Supreme Court ruling over religious education in Northern Ireland
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 12:04 PM
The government is planning to 'update' its guidance on collective worship in England’s schools after the Supreme Court ruled the delivery of the practice in Northern Ireland was unlawful
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
schoolsweek.co.uk/government-t...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Here's an article I wrote a few years ago about how we got here, and what's left to do:
ourworldindata.org/guinea-worm-...
ourworldindata.org/guinea-worm-...
February 4, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Here's an article I wrote a few years ago about how we got here, and what's left to do:
ourworldindata.org/guinea-worm-...
ourworldindata.org/guinea-worm-...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Only 10 cases of Guinea worm disease were recorded *globally* last year.
It may become the second human disease we eradicate, after smallpox.
It may become the second human disease we eradicate, after smallpox.
February 4, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Only 10 cases of Guinea worm disease were recorded *globally* last year.
It may become the second human disease we eradicate, after smallpox.
It may become the second human disease we eradicate, after smallpox.
I can’t believe anyone would submit something written by AI to a national newspaper and think the editorial team wouldn’t know?!
This is ridiculous. And insulting. And arrogant. As if writing was that easy.
bsky.app/profile/jons...
This is ridiculous. And insulting. And arrogant. As if writing was that easy.
bsky.app/profile/jons...
Increasingly being submitted AI-written articles. Even the worst human writing has an abundance of signals about the writer in the choices they make. AI-written pieces give no signals and that is deeply weird to read. Some common features include...
February 4, 2026 at 11:44 AM
I can’t believe anyone would submit something written by AI to a national newspaper and think the editorial team wouldn’t know?!
This is ridiculous. And insulting. And arrogant. As if writing was that easy.
bsky.app/profile/jons...
This is ridiculous. And insulting. And arrogant. As if writing was that easy.
bsky.app/profile/jons...
Reposted by DamsonEd
It's really weird to read. It makes for very poor copy. And it makes me feel a bit ick.
So please don't send us something that AI has written. We want to read what you have written. It's way better.
So please don't send us something that AI has written. We want to read what you have written. It's way better.
February 4, 2026 at 10:09 AM
It's really weird to read. It makes for very poor copy. And it makes me feel a bit ick.
So please don't send us something that AI has written. We want to read what you have written. It's way better.
So please don't send us something that AI has written. We want to read what you have written. It's way better.
Reposted by DamsonEd
Endless front ending of sentences, repeated 'shifts' (Because of X, Y), ubiquitous bullet points, phrasing mirroring the most templated of political speeches, pacing that is overly robotic (short; long; short; long) and unrelated to the point being made, call to action climax...
February 4, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Endless front ending of sentences, repeated 'shifts' (Because of X, Y), ubiquitous bullet points, phrasing mirroring the most templated of political speeches, pacing that is overly robotic (short; long; short; long) and unrelated to the point being made, call to action climax...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Increasingly being submitted AI-written articles. Even the worst human writing has an abundance of signals about the writer in the choices they make. AI-written pieces give no signals and that is deeply weird to read. Some common features include...
February 4, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Increasingly being submitted AI-written articles. Even the worst human writing has an abundance of signals about the writer in the choices they make. AI-written pieces give no signals and that is deeply weird to read. Some common features include...
Reposted by DamsonEd
"We must stop treating speech and language support as optional."
An incredibly powerful article from @thurrockjen.bsky.social 👏👏 It's time the Government saw speech and language support "not as an expense but as an upfront investment"!
An incredibly powerful article from @thurrockjen.bsky.social 👏👏 It's time the Government saw speech and language support "not as an expense but as an upfront investment"!
Why government must invest in speech and language therapy
We can't close the gap if we allow communication skills to go unmet at this alarming scale
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 10:42 AM
"We must stop treating speech and language support as optional."
An incredibly powerful article from @thurrockjen.bsky.social 👏👏 It's time the Government saw speech and language support "not as an expense but as an upfront investment"!
An incredibly powerful article from @thurrockjen.bsky.social 👏👏 It's time the Government saw speech and language support "not as an expense but as an upfront investment"!
Reposted by DamsonEd
Yup, I’ve got total aphantasia – no visual imagery at all, nor any other senses for that matter (sound, smell nor touch). I’ve met a few more people who are somewhere on the aphantasia side of the spectrum so 4% might be an underestimate. People need to be aware of differences to self-report
February 3, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Yup, I’ve got total aphantasia – no visual imagery at all, nor any other senses for that matter (sound, smell nor touch). I’ve met a few more people who are somewhere on the aphantasia side of the spectrum so 4% might be an underestimate. People need to be aware of differences to self-report
Reposted by DamsonEd
Goodemorning Gonzobongos! Brakefeast waz late once agin. Intolerable!
February 3, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Goodemorning Gonzobongos! Brakefeast waz late once agin. Intolerable!
Reposted by DamsonEd
The University of Birmingham are finding out what Autistic and non-Autistic children aged 6 to 14 find comfortable and uncomfortable to look at. The findings will help make places and materials more comfortable.
Find out more:
Dr. Tyler: [email protected]
Dr. Manning: [email protected]
Find out more:
Dr. Tyler: [email protected]
Dr. Manning: [email protected]
February 3, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The University of Birmingham are finding out what Autistic and non-Autistic children aged 6 to 14 find comfortable and uncomfortable to look at. The findings will help make places and materials more comfortable.
Find out more:
Dr. Tyler: [email protected]
Dr. Manning: [email protected]
Find out more:
Dr. Tyler: [email protected]
Dr. Manning: [email protected]
There are so many reasons why children do not read. These 4 recommendations might have an impact. But the simple fact is that these arguments have been made for many many years. 🤷♀️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reading for pleasure needs a ‘higher profile’ at school, MPs told
Education experts giving evidence to an MPs’ inquiry into the decline in children reading for pleasure make four recommendations to address the problem
www.tes.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
There are so many reasons why children do not read. These 4 recommendations might have an impact. But the simple fact is that these arguments have been made for many many years. 🤷♀️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Professor Jessie Ricketts was invited to Parliament today by the Education Committee to give evidence to the 'Reading for Pleasure' inquiry.
We’re thrilled that Jessie will be at The Speaking Summit too.
Get your ticket for The Speaking Summit now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-speaki...
We’re thrilled that Jessie will be at The Speaking Summit too.
Get your ticket for The Speaking Summit now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-speaki...
February 3, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Professor Jessie Ricketts was invited to Parliament today by the Education Committee to give evidence to the 'Reading for Pleasure' inquiry.
We’re thrilled that Jessie will be at The Speaking Summit too.
Get your ticket for The Speaking Summit now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-speaki...
We’re thrilled that Jessie will be at The Speaking Summit too.
Get your ticket for The Speaking Summit now👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-speaki...
Reposted by DamsonEd
Yup. When group work goes wrong, that's never a "lethal mutation" - that's something intrinsically wrong with the whole practice. But when retrieval practice goes wrong... 🤔
February 3, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Yup. When group work goes wrong, that's never a "lethal mutation" - that's something intrinsically wrong with the whole practice. But when retrieval practice goes wrong... 🤔
Reposted by DamsonEd
'My magic spell will only work if you say it perfectly and wave your wand just so. If the spell doesn't work then that is because you didn't do it right' .... evidenced based magic spell of course....
February 3, 2026 at 5:40 PM
'My magic spell will only work if you say it perfectly and wave your wand just so. If the spell doesn't work then that is because you didn't do it right' .... evidenced based magic spell of course....