Annabel Louise Walker
My name is Annabel Louise and I am a proud ADHDer (diagnosed with Combined ADHD in July '20). Working as a private tutor, I also draw, write, sing, and enjoy walking in the countryside!
Location Bedfordshire, England
Achievements
Activity
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This is fascinating! I hope this will eventually lead to the end of hacking and cybercrime!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I’m really looking forward to learning this!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This is absolutely fascinating!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I’d use it to analyse the composition of materials taken from outer space!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I was fascinated to learn about how they use lasers to create the precise computer chips.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This is fascinating and something I hadn’t heard of before doing this course.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I was fascinated to learn about black holes and the sounds emitted by these. I also enjoyed learning about gravitational waves.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
1. I think this is a great representation of how GW signals should sound, but I think this needs to be used alongside other methods to ensure astronomers are distinguishing GWs with the greatest accuracy.
2. The most difficult part of this activity was finding the sound amongst the immense amount of background noise; you had to listen incredibly carefully... -
Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I found this fascinating!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This was fun and pretty simple!
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This is a wonderful video!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I loved the poems as they really bring to life the world of the railway porter!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
In the article, it’s clear the clearly mysogynistic journalist is somewhat surprised that Mrs Merwood is up to the job of stationmaster, even though they acknowledge the recent increases in women working on railways. This makes it clear how women were viewed as less effective workers than men, even though there is evidence - such as that seen here - that...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I see the stationmaster as being an overseer who needed to try and keep the masses happy, and law-abiding! I can imagine multi-tasking would have been a huge part of the job and it would have been stressful and busy.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I didn’t realise women could also be stationmasters and was fascinated to discover what happened if a stationmaster shirked their duty!
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Annabel Louise Walker replied to Judi Boutle
@JudiBoutle thanks for sharing this awesome piece of artwork - I think it describes the Big Bang perfectly! What a great analogy!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I think we will definitely get there and this will be the technology that eventually lets us venture deeper into the cosmos!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This is fascinating and clearly shows how little of the universe is comprised of actual matter!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Fascinating information!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I was fascinated by the numbers. Although I am aware the universe is incredibly old and will reach its ‘end of life’ in a ridiculously long time, the scale of the numbers involved never fails to astound me!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This picture shows something ubiquitous about humanity and something I believe has always been visible, and will always be visible: the juxtaposition of contrasting individuals with unique backgrounds and stories, thrust together by the shared experience of catching a train.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
1) I found it fascinating to discover the contrasts evident on the railways: although they were cosy, they were also places of strict rules and obligations.
2) It’s evident how the class system permeated the railways just as it did the rest of society. -
Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
How fascinating and evocative!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This menu is making me hungry, and I have just eaten! The whole style is incredibly contemporary and the popularity of this would have been evident. Additionally, creating the correct surroundings, to stimulate the appetites of travellers - and others - was a necessity and clearly Spiers and Pond have also thought this through with great enthusiasm.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
From reading the first extract, it is evident that this particular woman is enjoying her stay. Apart from the lack of fire in the ladies coffee-room, the hospitality of the staff is clear when they bring her tea and muffins. Clearly, women travelling alone isn’t the norm as this lady makes a point of stating that ‘there are no other ladies’ in the coffee...
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This is fascinating and I feel as though I was trying to explain this in the last lesson. Sadly, I missed out a large chunk in my reasoning; it all makes sense now though!
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Surely it will require just as much energy as needs to travel a larger distance? Though it’s wavelength is longer (as it becomes stretched), it needs to travel a further distance so surely will require as much energy to do this as if it had to travel a shorter distance at a shorter wavelength? I would use the analogy of a long-distance runner, versus a...
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I was right! This explanation really intrigued me and has made me want to find out more about this.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Fascinating explanation!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I was fascinated to learn about gravitational waves and how binary black holes allowed us to first witness this incredible astronomical phenomenon. Additionally, I was intrigued to learn about the innovative telescopes that are being developed and how community projects like 'Galaxy Zoo' are allowing us to get involved in mapping the universe. My favourite...
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All of these telescopes are fascinating and it’s clear, over the next few years, we are going to learn even more about the wonders of the universe through these incredible technological marvels. It was fascinated to read about the sheer scale of these telescopes and was particularly fascinated to read about the 6.5m wide mirror on the James Webb telescope. The...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I instantly thought, ‘but this doesn’t take into consideration dark energy’. If matter only comprises around 31.5% of the universe, surely the other 68.5% - that is driving expansion - explains why we don’t look up at the sky and see only stars. The universe is expanding constantly and this is we see open space.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I instantly thought, ‘but this doesn’t take into consideration dark energy’. If matter only comprises around 31.5% of the universe, surely the other 68.5% - that is driving expansion - explains why we don’t look up at the sky and see only stars. The universe is expanding constantly and this is we see open space.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
The Greek creation myth begins with Chaos, a vast and formless void. From Chaos emerges Gaia (Earth), Tartarus (the Abyss), and Eros (Love), leading to the creation of the universe. I find this fascinating as there are elements of truth, like in all myths. However, we now know that the universe is far more than these three components and the emphasis this...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I found it fascinating to read how funeral parties were ‘shut off from the public gaze’ and how chapels were ‘sumptuously decorated for the benefit of the mourners’. Even though the railway was a modern enterprise, evidence such as this shows the Victorian attitudes towards mourning and proves that, even though railways were - by-and-large - commodities for...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Like other stories from history, I am not sure I believe this in its entirety, but it is a fascinating tale and demonstrates the initial interest in railways during the nineteenth century. Stories involving animals are always popular and, when combined with something new and innovative, like the railway, would naturally have appealed to people. As humans, we...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
The first things I noticed were the dogs and I couldn’t help but wonder how these animals would have been accommodated on a long train journey. Additionally, I noticed the hustle and bustle of the station and sheer amount of people all going about their own business.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I never knew that some stations were build with defence in mind and find this eye-opening.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I have learned a great deal about the size of the universe and this is the part that will stick with me most. It’s been truly fascinating!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This made me feel incredibly small, though not in a demeaning way. I was strangely relaxed by the video, but equally feel as though my brain will be pondering the contents of this for the rest of my life: it’s oxymoronic. I’d say this is a ‘life-changing‘ video, pardon the cliche!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I don’t think I’ve focused that hard on anything for a VERY long time!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Mind blown!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I’ve always been fascinated by the universe and can’t remember a time in my life when astronomy wasn’t an important hobby. When I was a teenager, I became interested in black holes and quantum mechanics and, as I have grown older, my interest in the cosmos has deepened. Although I probably know more about the universe than the average lay-person, I am not a...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I am not sure we will ever understand all the mysteries of the universe as, for something so bafflingly large, much is outside our comprehension as humans. However, as we develop increasingly sophisticated technology, we are starting to develop a greater understanding of concepts such as ‘astronomical distances’ and this does allow us to probe that bit deeper...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I’ve always been fascinated by the universe and am always on the search to learn new things!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Flexibility is vital as every child is different and, therefore, openness to new ways of thinking is crucial. Collaboration is also key.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I work with slightly older children and, in the summer, we often go on an ‘alphabet treasure hunt’ where they have to find rocks I’ve painted with different letters. All the children enjoy this!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
It’s really important that the space is safe, yet allows adequate opportunities for exploration. I think this links to the previous week where we learned that children must be allowed to experience risk, but should be protected from hazards.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I believe all nine aspects are equally important for play to be most beneficial, but I do agree that self-directed play is vital. As a creative learning environment, we try to ensure each child does at least one self-directed activity in their lesson, as this allows them to use their imagination effectively and become an adept problem-solver.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This activity does include the nine elements effectively, but I do think it would be even more effective if children were able to choose some of their own materials. Additionally, it would be beneficial to explore the other senses, for example how the objects sound when you put your hand in them, tap them together or scratch them. For play to be most...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
We have some wonderful sensory pebbles that we use for this purpose. To encourage mindfulness, we ask the children to close their eyes and then describe the patterns they feel on each pebble. This activity is great for calming anxious children and also builds focus skills.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I found it incredibly useful having the difference between a ‘risk’ and a ‘hazard’ clearly defined. I agree wholeheartedly with all the videos, as we live in a world full of risks and it would be unfair not to teach a child how to deal with these risks. In order to bring up mindful and resilient humans, we must allow them to take risks and learn that failing...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I think, as adults, we should learn to do more that is focused on the process and not the end product, as this is the basis of mindfulness and is linked to more positive mental health.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I loved playing with just about anything, but my favourite play activities involved being in the outdoors with my friends. We often created our own potions from pond water and berries and also imagined we were explorers in far off lands. Additionally, I loved, and still love, playing with Lego and also enjoyed role play. As an adult, I take time to engage in...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Hello, I am a tutor with diagnosed ADHD, helping children both with, and without, special educational needs. By doing this course, I hope to be able to improve my teaching skills.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Nowadays, I think we need convenience over beauty as populations have increased and the railways need to suit our contemporary tastes, as well as needing to be easy to access for all. Although some of the larger stations have shops and eateries, I think that in 2024 our view of ‘what a station is’ has changed. Arguably, we are now far more concerned with...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
The first report gives many references to dimensions, which shows how important sheer size was for this construction. Arches seem to be a common theme in station architecture and these are associated with grandeur, so paint the stations as places of majesty. Moreover, constructing these buildings using quality materials, such as iron and granite, shows that...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I don’t remember ever playing a game based on the railway, but I do think we have a natural connection with the railways as they are something that connects us and have been with us throughout our lifetime; the railway is part of the rich tapestry of our landscape.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I’ve joined this course as LOVE history. I have a history degree from The Open University and enjoy doing these courses as they are fun and add to my knowledge of all things past.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Thank you - I thoroughly enjoyed this course!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I think creativity really needs to be at the centre of education and that we need to move away from standardised assessments and more towards coursework, portfolios and presentations. I truly believe our current exam-driven system does quash creativity!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I love the stretching up idea as this is something I’ve been practising for years: it really does work!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
- A temporary heater to keep food warm: simply warm up the brick in the oven and stand your plates on it for warmth
- A nail file, scratching area, or rough skin remover for humans or animals
- A device for smashing holes in ice when ice fishing
- An anchor for a boat
- A pet for people who don’t enjoy looking after animals
- A device for creating a... -
This is fascinating.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I don’t enjoy travelling, but I am inherently incredibly creative. Since I was younger, I have always had a curious and questioning nature and try to perceive things from a number of angles, with an open mind. When I teach children, I use the technique of asking ‘what may be?’ rather than simply ‘what is?’ and I find this really enhances creativity.
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I find it fascinating how different parts of the brain work in unison to allow us to be creative and the importance of critical thinking in facilitating imaginative processes.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Creativity is the formation of unique ideas and modification of existing ideas to solve problems, enact changes, or simply just to have fun.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I work with children on a one-to-one basis, so this isn’t as applicable in my career. However, from speaking to those in other occupations, it’s clear that hierarchies are a major barrier to creativity, as employees tend to worry they will say something that will put their job in jeopardy. Additionally, many people are nervous they will be ridiculed for their...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
As a private tutor running my own business, I have to use creativity on an hourly basis. We specialise in helping children with dyslexia, and related special educational needs, and it’s vital I can come up with a new way of teaching something quickly. All children learn in different ways and I use creativity to devise new styles of learning and new ways of...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
As an ADHDer, creativity comes very naturally to me and it’s actually incredibly difficult to switch off my creative brain! However, like in the video, structure does stop some elements of my creativity and, though it’s vital for maintaining a career, working to a schedule can stifle the imagination. To maintain my high levels of creativity, I enjoy walking in...
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I run my own business as a creative private tutor and, when we induct a new client, we play a creative game and show them the joys of imaginative thinking. Much of our teaching is through games and these allow us to be creative in all our teaching methods. I love my job and feel privileged to be able to use my creative mind in my career.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I have ADHD and am fascinated by creativity as people with ADHD are often viewed as ‘highly creative’ due to our divergent thinking patterns.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
My whole job is creative and I set up my private tutoring business to bring more creativity to education. I have ADHD and am inherently intensely creative as really struggle with linear thinking. Even though ADHD comes with so many struggles, the creativity I naturally possess is something I truly cherish. I am fascinated to find out more about creativity and...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Hello, I’m Annabel from the UK. I’m passionate about creativity in learning as am a private tutor specialising in creative education. I am fascinated to learn more about how we can become more creative and how creativity helps in learning.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Neuroplasticity allows brain wiring to change as new things are learned. Connections in the brain are constantly altering as new information is understood; being exposed to different types of learning creates new brain pathways that are constantly evolving.
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I think all of these designs are amazing and, I myself use a flexible style of learning in private tuition sessions. I love the new immersive room and think the multi-sensory element of this would greatly enhance learning.
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In our tuition, we use a mixture of traditional, multi-sensory learning and online learning. As with everything, I believe a good balance is key.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Neuroplasticity fascinates me as I have ADHD and, my aim after being diagnosed, was to put neuroplasticity to the test and re-wire parts of my thinking. Although ADHD is still challenging for me, I have, through disciplined repetition and mindful processes, been able to change some of my behaviours for the better. These videos have furthered my interest in the...
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Sensory memory: lasts a few seconds
Short term memory: seven is the golden number. If information is rehearsed it will pass into long term memory.
Long term memory: arguably limitless in capacity and memories can last a lifetime.I found it fascinating that phone numbers were originally seven digits long because of what is known about working memory....
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I find this fascinating. Learning about both theories shows the interplay of individual and social aspects in learning. One does not exist without the other and, although our brains are inherently wired to learn, we are social animals and, arguably, rely on meaningful interactions with others to fulfil our potential.
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This is exactly what was going through my head. The first thing I thought was ‘this is how simile and metaphor work so effectively’! We’ve been teaching these in great detail recently and it explains how our brains link information and creates new schemas in order to compartmentalise.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I will be fascinated to learn how we utislise different learning techniques to ensure cognition is strong is all students.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
Both answers should be explored and discussed calmly: the man who got 14 should explain his methods and then the same should be done for the man who got 5. However, as maths is a logical subject, the answer 5 is correct. It is hoped that the man who got 14 will understand why he is wrong once the methods are clearly and calmly explained.
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Obviously 5 is correct and it’s clear the person who argued 14 didn’t listen to what they were being told. However, the man that got 5 should have taught the method, as in how tens and ones work; he didn’t teach, he merely argued his point without providing any evidence to support it.
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I want to explore how people learn so I can improve my private tuition and general teaching.
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Annabel Louise Walker replied to Mark Kennedy
@MarkKennedy I'm okay I finished the course a few weeks ago and now am just following this conversation - welcome to ADHD!
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I totally get it - there are just many, like me, who also need tactile play.
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I was diagnosed at 31 too - last summer!
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Definitely goes for me as I have ADHD and it's a superpower in my career!
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I am exactly the same as you! I have Combined ADHD and was academically gifted so got missed; I developed anxiety as a result. I was diagnosed when I was 31, just last July!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
My definition of play hasn't actually changed, but I have found this course fascinating as it has supported all of my previously-held beliefs on the importance of play. I have always been a human who needs to play and this course has justified many of my beliefs. I have gained an insight into how play benefits those with disabilities and how the rise in...
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I see memes all the time on social media and the 'Hey, Look A Squirrel!' ADHD meme is pretty common in my circles!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I am lucky enough to have my own tuition studio and it was planned to be playful! We specialise in teaching those with ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia and the whole environment is full of hands-on resources and games. In the summer, we draw outside on the walls using chalks and everything we do is creative and fun! I also have ADHD and need to be in a creative...
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Whilst technology is vital, I provide a service for children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD and they actually benefit from human contact more than they do technology. I have ADHD myself and find I learn far less from technology than from interactions with the living, breathing world.
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In order to make a play space totally inclusive, it is important that disabled children are the first group to be considered as these are groups typically excluded from traditional playgrounds; if we make spaces suitable for these children, they will encourage all groups to play together and children with disabilities will find it easier to form friendships...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I believe both parents celebrate their child's play, even though they both also understand that autism affects the ways in which children play. I think having ASD does definitely impact play, but it is clear both parents understand play is something that is supposed to be enjoyed and I think both have made efforts to ensure their children are able to engage in...
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I believe this is self-soothing play and I know it is common in the autism community. I don't have ASD but do have ADHD and I am prone to self-soothing activities such as fidgeting and gnawing certain things. I believe, in this instance, a child should be given a way of continuing this play, e.g. a personal piece of glass, so it is not seen as a problem and...
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You and me also. I have ADHD and technically have a 'disability', but in my line of work (a private tutor), it is a superpower!
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
I don't like the term 'disability, but I believe it refers to a condition, illness, syndrome, disorder or combination which has an effect on the way in which someone lives their day to day life. Disabilities come in many forms, physical, psychological, intellectual and, of course, a combination. Disability can make it harder to access play as there are many...
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Annabel Louise Walker made a comment
This wasn't my favourite week, as I am a true tactile learner, but I was encouraged by the fact online games are helping those with disabilities.
