Tag Archives: learning

Microsoft Educator Community

A quick reminder that the MEC is a great place to visit for free CLPL resources, that when you complete you are rewarded with a digital badge.

Visit the MEC site here and sign in with your Glow username and this give you access to hundreds of  courses, resources and learning paths.

Completing badges also gives you the chance to become a Microsoft Innovative Education Expert,  (MIEE) and join the increasing numbers of teachers in Scotland and around the world to have earned this status.

Image below is a sample page generated when you view your profile on completion of courses, or learning pathway badges.

November 2019 Blog Reboot…..

This Learning through Technology blog has now been rebooted. Please check regularly to see the latest news on all things digital in Learning and Teaching , Computer Science and Cyber Security for pupils/students of all ages and of course for staff.

“The question is no longer whether technology should have a place in the classroom, but how technology can most effectively be integrated”
                                                                                                                                          Sir Kevin Collins EEF 2019

 

Click image for further information

 

 

 

Free Online Computational Thinking course from Google

The goal of this course is to help educators learn about computational thinking (CT), how it differs from computer science, and how it can be integrated into a variety of subject areas. As a course participant, you will increase your awareness of CT, explore examples of CT integrated into your subject areas, experiment with examples of CT-integrated activities for your subject areas, and create a plan to integrate CT into your own curricula.

What: A free online course helping educators integrate computational thinking into their curriculum

Who: Humanities, Math, Science, and Computing educators
When: All of the course materials are available as a self-study program.

Click here for access

Computational Thinking and Coding Twilights

dashThe fantastic double act of Dash and Dot have now arrived . Those schools that have attended the CS twilights over the last few weeks keep a look out for them arriving in the school mail.

We will continue to issue a Dash and Dot and a Beebot mat to each school that can attend CS twilights now and in term 4

Using School iPads Dash and Dot can be programmed via a number of free apps including Tickle, Wonder Workshop and Tynker. These robots are perfectly at home in Nursery / Early Years but because of the innovative design can be equally at home and challenging  for older students to program.

If you haven’t already done so, then please check Aberdeenshire Events and book onto a CS Twilight in your Cluster

 

Free Micro:bits, but you need to move quickly!

img_2725Another chance to get your hands on micro:bits!

Over the summer we gave away free BBC micro:bits to active Code Clubs across the UK. We’re really pleased that we are now able to run another micro:bit giveaway to clubs that may have missed out the first time!

The micro:bit, measuring just 4cm by 5cm, is a micro controller which children can use to code and create anything they set their minds to. It’s intended as a starter device to give children a basic introduction to physical computing and tinkering.

In order to qualify for micro:bits, you’ll need to make sure your club is registered and active on our website by Wednesday 14 December. If you applied for micro:bits over the summer, unfortunately you won’t be able to apply again.

In the new year, each eligible Code Club will be able to apply for micro:bits. Applications will open at midday on 11th January, and close on 1st February at midday, so stay tuned for more information then.

As before, clubs will need to pay £5 for postage, and shipping will be fulfilled by our lovely friends at Pimoroni after the applications close.

In the mean time, why not check out Code Club’s micro:bit projects at jumpto.cc/microbit. You can also find out more general information about using the micro:bit here.

24 Hour of Code resources

hour-of-code-logo

Looking to get your learners going with resources for this weeks global Hour of Code? Looking to integrate computer science into the school day all year long? Here are a handful of resources for computer science and coding. Teachers who are ready to jump into the Hour of Code or looking for inspiration as they design a new curriculum will find lots to choose from on this list.

Click here to access the resources

 

My World of Work – exciting information

My World of Work Live! from Skills Development Scotland, is a set of interactive exhibits and activities designed to inspire young people’s interest in careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). Every free, fun My World of Work Live! experience is about hands-on learning – building, making, designing – and makes the best use of the latest technology to engage and inspire.

My World of Work Live! brings STEM out of the classroom and into real life and helps young people, parents, carers and teachers understand the breadth of opportunity STEM careers offer and the variety of pathways into STEM industries.

My World of Work Live! is designed for young people aged between 10 and 15 and for teachers and parents who are key influencers for this age group; they allow young people access to My World of Work Live! and influence the decisions they make on subjects and careers.

Bringing a real-life connection to Curriculum for Excellence, My World of Work Live! has accompanying learning resources to help teachers get the most out of a visit and to continue learning back in the classroom.  All activities are aligned to the Career Management Skills framework and support the realisation of Self, Strength, Horizons and Networks and support delivery of the Skills Investment Plans.

All of those working on My World of Work Live! have real life experience of industry, with a passion for education and learning.

My World of Work Live! is in locations where young people experience the world of science, technology engineering and maths, e.g. museums, science centres and other venues.

Locations for 16/17 are:

  • Glasgow Science Centre
  • National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
  • Digital Studio and Careers Lab, Inverness
  • Mareel Arts Centre, Lerwick
  • Schools can book onto our 90 minute Inspiring Activities – all developed in partnership with industry to provide fun job-related challenges designed to inspire young people’s interest in STEM careers. Activities on offer vary across venue and are designed for 10-15 year olds.   Please contact individual venues for availability and booking.
  • Hour of Code Video game development
  • DIY Gamer Games programming
  • Cracking Cryptography Cyber Security
  • Robot Sidekicks  Robotics engineering
  • Sonic Electronics Electronic engineering
  • Little Bits  Electronic engineering
  • Space Junk Space engineering
  • Mindstorms Renewables Engineering in the renewable energy industry
  • Mindstorms Driving Test Computing and programming
  • Land Yacht Challenge Design and automotive
  • Laser Cutting – CAD and industrial design
  • CreativITy Programming and film-making
  • My World of Work Time Machine Music technology
  • Digital Doctor  Careers in the health sector
  • DNA Extraction – Bioscience
  • Roboplast – Environmental science and recycling
  • Who Needs Science? All STEMInteractive Exhibits are designed to be self-serve with little to no instruction needed in how to use them.  They are accessible to all age groups (apart from Virtual Reality, restricted to over 13’s). Exhibits vary across venue.
  • Virtual Reality Careers in Construction Narrated career learning scenarios are linked to the ‘My World of Work’ website content with three mini games highlighting different roles within the industry. Coming soon – a downloadable version of the game on the google play store.
  • Minecraft Careers World Minecraft is a computer game that gives players a unique and completely interactive, digital world in which to play and learn. Designed to facilitate careers learning, the Minecraft Careers World is complete with a city of industry, commerce and residential areas, agriculture, energy, food production and more.  There are a multitude of learning opportunities and ways to interact and users can spend minutes, hours or even days exploring, completing challenges and building their knowledge of STEM careers.
  • Magic Mirror Visualise yourself as a scientist or engineer by ‘trying on’ uniforms in our virtual dressing room.
  • Infowall A 70 inch touch screen that uses a fluid, gesture based application to give users the opportunity to explore careers information. The user can explore each sector through job descriptions including salary information, key facts and videos of industry professionals talking about their careers.
  • Self-Led Careers Trails Visitors are guided around the new galleries at the National Museum of Scotland to find out about careers in local STEM industries.
  • What makes me tick A game designed to challenge and entertain users as they explore their personality in relation to careers. The game is accessed via iPads and is similar in content to aptitude tests and ‘brain training’ games. For more information on how to book FREE activities for your school or to find our more, please contact:Glasgow Science Centresusan.meikleham@glasgowsciencecentre.orgMareel and Shetland emma.chittick@sds.co.uk
  • Inverness kirsty.wright@sds.co.uk
  • National Museumseilidh.christie@sds.co.uk or chris.trotter@sds.co.uk

Digital Xtra fund; Applications open for funding

Digital Xtra opens new round of funding for extracurricular computing projects

Scotland’s Digital Xtra Fund launched in May 2016 and awarded £250,000 to 12 projects, which expect to reach a combined total of 10,500 young people across the country by March 2017. An additional £150,000 has now been made available in response to the high number of applications received for the first round of funding.

Applications open today (3 October) via Public Contracts Scotland and eligible organisations can bid for grants from £1500 to a maximum £25000 per project to support computing science and digital skills focused extracurricular activities for 2016/17.

Funding is intended to support enterprising organisations that give young people aged 16 and under opportunities to learn computer science related digital skills and contribute to widening the provision of extracurricular computing science related activities across Scotland.

Scottish Government strategy sets out an ambitious plan to make Scotland a world-class digital nation by 2020. Over 84,000 people work in digital technologies roles across the Scottish economy and skills development will be an integral component in helping young people prepare for the digital future. Career opportunities are significant, with up to an estimated 11,000 job opportunities available in Scotland annually.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, said:

“The Scottish Government is determined to close the digital skills gap faced by all sectors across the economy. We made clear our commitment to invest in the digital skills of our young people in the digital teaching and learning strategy we published last week. This additional funding for Digital Xtra will give thousands more young people opportunities to strengthen their digital skills through their engagement in a range of innovative projects.”

Digital Xtra has been developed and funded by the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership whose partners include Scottish Government, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Funding Council, Education Scotland, ScotlandIS, and industry representatives.

It is anticipated that industry, employers and other funders will contribute to the fund in subsequent years, making this a sustainable approach.

Applications will be assessed by an expert panel which includes representatives from across Scotland’s digital technologies industry, Scottish Government and education.

Phil Worms, Computing and Schools Project Lead at ScotlandIS, says:

“The panel was impressed by the many innovative ideas and partnerships received in the first round so it is fantastic to be able to offer a further funding opportunity this year and make extracurricular computing activities available to even more young people.

“Once again we are very keen to see collaborative applications involving different partners and projects that foster greater links between industry, young people and the wider community. Projects should also show how participants will be involved in digital making and what computer science related skills they will learn.”

The Digital Xtra Fund welcomes applications from existing initiatives looking to expand their activities, as well as from innovative new projects and pilots that could be rolled out further in future. All applicants should clearly demonstrate potential for scalability and sustainability, as well as showing how they will reach previously underrepresented groups.

A total of £250,000 was awarded to 12 projects in August 2016, supporting a diverse range of activities including the use of wildlife cameras to help school pupils learn to code using Raspberry Pi computers, coding taught through local libraries, and a forensic investigation project.

The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday 4th November, 2016.

For full information and to apply, visit:
http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Authority/Postbox/Auth_PostBoxStatus.aspx?ID=SEP258925