All posts by Ms Higgins

Sound context on STEM Central

This week Education Scotland launched their Sound context which includes learning journeys from early to fourth level. The context builds the storyline through our ability to make sound, sound as a tool of communication, for example through talk or by using music to convey a message. It progresses on to sound as a tool of communication at a distance and our ability to manipulate sound.

The progression begins with What’s that sound? for early level, an exploration of sound sciences and technologies through constructive play. Make the Sound provides further opportunity for enquiry-based learning, and hands-on sciences and technologies in  the context of sound.

How animals use soundsound applications and communicating through sound are three learning journeys for second level, to illustrate breadth and application, and the basis for progression to Engineering Sound at fourth level, developed in conjunction with SSERC.

New-look Schools Global Footprint calculator – NOW live

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Education Scotland’s new-look Schools Global Footprint Calculator is now live. This key online resource has had a significant refresh with many improvements made to the calculator to make it even easier to use. In addition to providing an exciting real life context for delivering the experiences and outcomes, the resource greatly supports Eco-Schools activities and provides learners with skills for learning, life and work as Scotland move towards a low-carbon future.

Learning about Scotland: Content creation for the Studying Scotland online resource

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Education Scotland would like to invite Secondary practitioners with experience across 3rd and 4th levels to create teaching and learning ideas to support Learning about Scotland.  These resources will then be made available to all establishments on the Studying Scotland online resource.

We would like to engage with 12 secondary school practitioners to create resources across curriculum areas.  This is to ensure that Learning about Scotland is embedded across the curriculum and becomes a natural part of the learning experience from the early years to the senior phase. 

Practitioners will work with Education Scotland Development Officers to create the resources.  The resources will show the attributes, capabilities and skills developed, including higher-order thinking skills, through the experiences and outcomes used.  If you are interested in this opportunity then please register your interest.

Curriculum for Excellence: making good assessment decisions 3–18

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Education Scotland, in partnership with SQA, has published a resource to support the making of good assessment decisions.  The resource consists of a ‘Wall’ poster and a ‘Desk’ poster. 

The posters illustrate the stages of quality assurance when making assessment decisions. Assessment 3-18 must be valid, reliable, fair and manageable for all involved and must be consistently applied for all learners in all centres. 

The posters can be used by local authorities, schools, colleges and other stakeholders to support the development of moderation/verification practices and as a platform for discussion.

Further support materials to exemplify these resources are in development and will be available by the end of the year.

Young Scot and the Financial Services Authority

Young Scot and the Financial Services Authority are hosting an event:

“Simples?: Young People and Financial Services” on Wednesday 17 October at the Pearce Institute, Govan, Glasgow.   

 The event will feature a range of interactive, participatory and fun activities to give young people the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions on their use of financial products and services. Next year the Financial Services Authority is transforming into the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and wants to hear from the present – and future – customers of financial services, to increase their understanding and awareness about they affect the day-to-day lives of the public. Using digital tools, drama, video, games and lots more, participants will be able to take part in a wide range of interactive workshops covering some of the most relevant issues facing young people and financial services today. For example, they will have the chance to work out whether they are getting the best deal for their money, learn how to look for hidden costs in mobile phone contracts and insurance, and understand the jargon when opening bank accounts.  The event also provides the opportunity for young people to have their say on the future of their finances and feedback to the new FCA on how they can they can improve financial services and protection for young people.  If you work with young people and you are interested in attending the event register at http://youngpeopleandfinancialservices.eventbrite.co.uk or email fionamca@youngscot.org for further information.

ReadIT CPD Session with Shirley Brice Heath

25 October 2012, 4 pm – 5.30 pm, Notre Dame High School, 160 Observatory Road, Glasgow, G12 9LN

ReadIT: engaging teens with reading and writing by creating Book Trailers

Join Shirley Brice Heath as she talks from Harvard about young people’s reading habits, preferences and how they choose to interact with texts. Then hear from Graeme Lamb, Bell Baxter High School, and Louise Walker, Maxwelltown High School, as they discuss the uses of book trailers and share some of the skills and understanding they have developed from participating in the ReadIT course this year.  ReadIT is a European commission funded project which aims to develop a tested teaching methodology for book trailers.

If you are interested in attending, please send your name and contact details to Antonia.Clark@scottishbooktrust.com  Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Scottish Learning Festival 2012

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Recently Education Scotland hosted SLF 2012 – the largest education festival in Scotland.  Over 4500 delegates came along and benefited from the 100 professional development seminars, networking opportunities, keynote speakers and Scotland’s largest education exhibition.

SLF 2012 included four inspirational keynote speeches which were recorded and are available to watch on the SLF website. A selection of seminars from SLF were also recorded and are available to view on the Glow TV watch again service.

21st Century Zoo – The Role of the Modern Zoo

Why not find out more about the modern zoo and join the free one day Global Classroom Conference at Edinburgh Zoo on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th November 2012?

Find out if zoos really make a difference to the many species on the IUCN Red List under categories such as ‘Critically Endangered’

Join us, as students take part in free workshops to help answer these questions and more:
· Is there a place for zoos in the 21st Century?
· Should we have captive breeding programmes?
· What role does a zoo play in conservation?

The conference runs 9:30am – 3:00pm and is suitable for S3 – S6 students.

To book and further information please email: education@rzss.org.uk or phone: 0131 314 0335. Maximum of 15 pupils per school limited spaces available so book early.

Booking deadline: Friday 12th of October