Using HOW2 to Share and Develop Best Practice at WLC

Working with students on the Preparation for Independent Living and Work Skills course, my focus is on supporting young people aged 16 – 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as they develop the essential skills, behaviours, and knowledge they need for independent living and employment.

HOW2 has been a great tool for trying out new techniques, refining them, and sharing what works. It allows me to reflect on my own teaching practice, track what I’m working on, and see how techniques progress from trial to becoming fully embedded in my practice. Most importantly, it has made it easier to share best practice in a way that is clear, structured, and useful to others.

One key area I wanted to focus on was Entry and Exit routines. These routines are so important for setting the tone in the classroom and helping students settle into their learning. They:

• Establish clear expectations from the beginning

• Help anticipate and respond to learner moods

• Encourage communication and interaction

• Minimise distractions and create structure

• Support organisation and independence

One of the things I really like about HOW2 is how the techniques are presented in a clear, structured way that makes adaptation easy. Because of this, I decided to record Entry and Exit routine videos, with support staff acting as learners, to demonstrate how these techniques could be used in an Inclusive Learning (IL) setting. I wanted to show how these routines can be adapted to suit different learners and teaching environments, making them relevant beyond SEND classrooms. Uploading them to HOW2 meant I could share practical, real-life examples of these strategies in action.

Since sharing these routines, I’ve had colleagues approach me to say they’ve tried them out and found them really effective. It’s great to see people taking ideas, adapting them to their own settings, and seeing positive results in their teaching.

HOW2 has also encouraged cross-campus collaboration, which is so important for:

• Improving connections and productivity across teams

• Creating more consistency in teaching and learning

• Supporting personal growth for teachers and staff

• Reducing stress by making best practice easier to share

• Achieving better outcomes for students and the wider college communit

HOW2 is a brilliant tool for upskilling, exploring new techniques, implementing them, and sharing experiences. One feature I really like is the nudge function, which allows me to collaborate with staff across the college in a simple and effective way. It’s great for recommending strategies to colleagues who might benefit from them.

I also love using the status feature, which helps me track my own progress with different teaching strategies:

• Considering It – Ideas I’m interested in working on later

• Working On It – Strategies I’m actively trying out

• Embedded It – Techniques that are now fully part of my day-to-day practice

As a mentor, I support trainee teachers by observing their lessons, providing forward-focused feedback, and assisting with lesson planning to ensure individual learner needs are met. HOW2 has been a brilliant tool for sharing evidence-based teaching and learning strategies in a clear, structured, and practical way.

The library of techniques on HOW2 is particularly useful because it combines visuals and text, making it easy for teachers to pick up new strategies and apply them with confidence.

If you’re new to HOW2, I’d really recommend:

• Exploring the library – There’s a huge range of techniques to try out.

• Using the status feature – It’s great for tracking your progress and reflecting on what works.

• Trying things out – Adapt strategies to suit your learners and teaching style.

• Sending nudges – If you see something that could benefit a colleague, share it!

HOW2 has made a real difference to my teaching, my collaboration with colleagues, and ultimately, the learning experience for my students. It’s a fantastic tool for promoting consistency, reducing stress, and improving outcomes for staff and students alike.

If you haven’t explored it yet, give it a go — you won’t regret it!