David Goodwin – författare

'The descriptions are sublime . . . Goodwin's eye - sharp, unforgiving - allows nothing to escape . . . His literary promise is savage' THE AUSTRALIAN'Goodwin is a natural-born storyteller, effortlessly compelling whether he's talking about the draconian policies of his bosses, the mad ramblings of his regulars or his own forays into chemical-induced debauchery . . . However, the true secret to Servo's brilliance is that beneath its irreverent, gonzo stylings it's actually a heartfelt, coming-of-age memoir' READINGSAn odyssey of drive-offs, spiked slurpees, stale sausage rolls and sleep-deprived madness.Most of us have done our time in the retail trenches, but service stations are undoubtedly the frontline, as Melburnian David Goodwin found out when he started working the weekend graveyard shift at his local servo.From his very first night shift, David absorbed a consistent level of mind-bending lunacy, encountering everything from giant shoplifting bees and balaclava-clad goons hurling cordial-filled water bombs from the sunroof of their BMW, to anarcho-goths high on MDMA releasing large rats into the store from their matching Harry Potter backpacks.Over the years, David grew to love his mad servo, handing out free pies and chocolate bars on the sly as he grew a backbone and became street smart. Amidst the unrelenting chaos, he eventually made it out of the servo circus - and lived to tell the tale.For anyone who's ever toiled under the unforgiving fluorescent lights of a customer service job, SERVO is a side-splitting and darkly mesmeric coming-of-age story from behind the anti-jump wire that will have you gritting your teeth, then cackling at the absurdity, idiocy and utterly beguiling strangeness of those who only come out at night.'A rewarding read . . . This journey into the "servoverse" is full of wild and sometimes poignant characters . . . [A] mix of fellow-feeling, social commentary and black humour' SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

Teachers make decisions every lesson based on what they think students understand. However, without reliable ways to check understanding, teachers risk teaching to an illusion, and those most likely to be left behind are often the most vulnerable. What Are They Thinking? tackles one of the most consequential questions in teaching: how can we reliably find out what students actually understand, and use that insight to decide what to do next?The book explores the research behind checking for understanding and shows why it is central to so much of what we know about how learning happens. Drawing on evidence from cognitive science and formative assessment, it provides practical guidance to help teachers design checks that include every student, reveal misconceptions early, and allow teachers to respond thoughtfully to the evidence they provide. Examining checking for understanding across key areas of teaching and learning, the chapters cover:● Prior knowledge, including schema theory, meaning making and consolidation● The science of learning, including desirable difficulties, learning versus performance and assessment● Practical classroom techniques, such as Cold Calling, mini whiteboards, hinge questions, and exit tickets applicable from early years education to post-16 and beyond● Applying checks for understanding in SEND, adaptive teaching and oracyPart of the Teacher CPD Academy series from InnerDrive, What Are They Thinking? is essential reading for teachers and school leaders who want to move beyond reassurance, make learning visible, and teach with greater precision, confidence, and impact. Checking for understanding is framed as a moral and professional imperative, making it more likely that teaching is guided by evidence rather than well-intentioned intuition.

Teachers make decisions every lesson based on what they think students understand. However, without reliable ways to check understanding, teachers risk teaching to an illusion, and those most likely to be left behind are often the most vulnerable. What Are They Thinking? tackles one of the most consequential questions in teaching: how can we reliably find out what students actually understand, and use that insight to decide what to do next?The book explores the research behind checking for understanding and shows why it is central to so much of what we know about how learning happens. Drawing on evidence from cognitive science and formative assessment, it provides practical guidance to help teachers design checks that include every student, reveal misconceptions early, and allow teachers to respond thoughtfully to the evidence they provide. Examining checking for understanding across key areas of teaching and learning, the chapters cover:● Prior knowledge, including schema theory, meaning making and consolidation● The science of learning, including desirable difficulties, learning versus performance and assessment● Practical classroom techniques, such as Cold Calling, mini whiteboards, hinge questions, and exit tickets applicable from early years education to post-16 and beyond● Applying checks for understanding in SEND, adaptive teaching and oracyPart of the Teacher CPD Academy series from InnerDrive, What Are They Thinking? is essential reading for teachers and school leaders who want to move beyond reassurance, make learning visible, and teach with greater precision, confidence, and impact. Checking for understanding is framed as a moral and professional imperative, making it more likely that teaching is guided by evidence rather than well-intentioned intuition.