Category Archives: Creativity

Creativity

BBC Ten Pieces

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BBC Learning will soon be launching an exciting new Classical Music and Creativity project called Ten Pieces aimed at primary schools, which we hope will be of interest.

The aim of Ten Pieces is to introduce a generation of children to a range of classical music and get them to use the music as a stimulus for their own creativity.  Lots of different parts of the BBC are getting involved – from CBBC to Radio 2 and 3, and there will be cross-platform promotion of the initiative.  The project will run over an academic year, kicking off in October 2014 with a special screening for schools in cinemas across the country of a film introducing 10 pieces of classical music.  We will then be asking children to respond creatively to the music through their own compositions, dance or art/animation.  Music and arts organisations are being encouraged to actively get involved with this stage – running workshops and other themed activities with schools at a community level to help children to develop their creative responses.  The BBC will also be providing a wealth of online resources including films, downloadables and printables.

During the Summer term there will be celebratory concerts across the country showcasing some of the children’s creative work.  The project will culminate in a major event in July 2015 – as a celebration of the children’s creativity, reflecting back on the year’s activities, as well as the original 10 pieces.

Below are some documents with some further information on the project.

Ten Pieces outline March_partners

TEN PIECES TIMELINE final for partners

Creativity, Opportunities, Technologies

Internet Safety Drama workshop‏

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Come along to a creative workshop on the 28th March, to help the Adult Protection Committee develop ‘Caught in the Net’ a drama about internet safety.  There will be a workshop for older adults, and a workshop for adults with a learning disability.  You don’t have to take part in the drama – just have an opinion!  See the poster below for more details.

caught in the net poster

Creative Learning, Creative Partners, Creative practitioners, Creativity

Creativity Portal – has it made an impact?

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The Creativity Portal is now 3 years old and we would love to hear from anyone who has used it – has it challenged your idea of creativity? Have you found it useful? Did it lead you to any inspiring resources, research or contacts?

If you have ever visited the Creativity Portal please take the time to answer a 5-minute questionnaire that will allow us to build a picture of what impact the Creativity Portal has made and give direction to its development in the future. Your responses will be invaluable in taking Education Scotland’s support of creative teaching and creative learning forward.

To access the questionnaire click the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/creativityportal2014

Your responses will form a vital piece of evidence for an independent evaluation of the Creativity Portal, led by Consilium Research and Consultancy, which will be published on the Creativity Portal in April/May.

Creative Learning, resources, Secondary schools, Technologies

Make Things Do Stuff

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Make Things Do Stuff is a campaign to inspire young people aged between 13 and 18 to make things in the digital world. It aims to help them to look beyond being a consumer and instead to create things, understand why things happen and to take ownership of it for themselves.

The campaign offers support, advice, resources and tools that are ideal for use in schools and at home, whether it’s a lesson, after-school club or competition. There’s something for everyone, whatever level they (or you) are at – and it’s all designed to nurture understanding and enjoyment through practical experience.

Adapted from a special digital making event for Teachers in Scotland, these videos show a range of different step-by-step digital activities for computing/other secondary school teachers.

MAKLab
MAKLab is Scotland’s first open access digital fabrication studio. The video covers how to create a 3D model of an object of your choice in 3D software and shows how the physical object can be then printed on a 3D printer. The process of creating a 3D object is a memorable and meaningful learning experience.
Suitable for: Secondary teachers of all subjects at all levels, particularly CDT, Art and Computing.

Processing Tutorial with Chris Martin
Processing is an open source programing language, community and development environment. In this session you will learn how to rapidly demonstrate computational principles with striking interactive visual output. This will be hands on, fun and you will make something interesting.
Suitable for: Teachers of National 4 / National 5 Computing

LiveCode Tutorial with Elanor Buchanan and Neil Roger
Livecode is an easy to learn, open source, high level language for creating programs and mobile apps for a variety of platforms including Windows, iOS and Android. The LiveCode introductory session will take you through creating a short interactive side scrolling hot air balloon game. Working with text, simple animation and using sound to create moving background images to give the illusion of movement, controlling an on-screen element, and detecting collisions to collect bonus points or end the game when you collide with negative elements.
Suitable for: Teachers of National 4 / National 5 / Higher Computing

App Inventor with Jeremy Scott
We have to provide students with an experience of Computing Science that’s not only accessible and exciting, but real world. What better way to do this than tapping into the mobile revolution? This workshop will provide an overview of the RSE/BCS Computing Science exemplification project and focus on how teachers might use “I Love My Smartphone” to introduce mobile app development in the classroom.
Suitable for: Teachers of National 4 Computing

Colin Maxwell Animation Tutorial
Vectorian Giotto is a powerful and free animation tool for creating 2D animations and interactive presentations. In this session you will explore the features of the tool whilst making short animations for science, literacy and foreign language, and discuss how the software can be applied to different curriculum areas. Animation is not just for art or computing classrooms, it can be an engaging medium across the curriculum.
Suitable for: Secondary teachers of all subjects at all levels.

Webmaker and Video Editing tools with Doug Belshaw from Mozilla
The Web is the world’s largest free public resource. Do you feel confident in teaching your students about how to read, write and participate on the Web? In this session, Doug Belshaw from the Mozilla Foundation (the people behind the Firefox web browser) will introduce some free Webmaker tools that you can use in your teaching. You will also learn how to use Popcorn, a free and open video editing tool. You can make videos to educate your pupils or get your pupils creating campaign videos or short films to revise a topic.
Suitable for: Secondary teachers of all subjects at all levels.

CPD, Creative Learning, Early Years, Numeracy and Maths, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Creative Maths! with Rob Eastaway

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For some of us maths is not our favourite subject, we don’t find Compare Bears and plastic sorting sets particularly motivational! In this workshop Rob, will look at innovative tools for making learning Maths stimulating and achievable for children and young people, improving numeracy in and outside of the classroom. With examples of games, puzzles, curiosities and mathematical “magic”, these workshops are about enriching teachers’ own view of maths, as well as offering numerous ideas that can be transferred straight to the classroom. Rob will also address some strategies for getting parents on board, including tips on maths activities that parents can incorporate into their busy lives.

Listen to the reviews!

“Many thanks for an excellent and inspirational morning. Our group of headteachers went away with a renewed passion for maths.” Primary maths consultant, Hampshire.

“The best maths course I’ve ever been on- a breath of fresh air” Secondary maths teacher, Bromley

Venue: Edinburgh
Duration: Half-day
Book now to avail yourself of our early bird discount!

Delegate Cost: £99.00

Discounts available:
Discounted rate: non-member individuals and small organisations (incl early bird discount) £81.00
Discounted rate: member statutory and large voluntary organisations (incl early bird discount) £81.00
Discounted rate: member individuals and small organisations (incl early bird discount) £68.00


Also:

  • Book three delegate places and the 3rd delegate is entitled to 20% off
  • Book five delegate places, and the 5th gets a place for half price
  • To book more than seven delegates, call 0131 222 2410 and ask for Noelle.


About Rob Eastaway – Rob has written and co-authored 11 books, including the bestselling two part book collection Maths for Mums and Dads. He is the Director of Maths Inspiration, a national programme of theatre-based lecture shows for older teenagers. He regularly appears on BBC radio to comment on topical issues related to maths and maths education. He is a former President of the Mathematical Association and has a degree in Engineering and Management Science from the University of Cambridge. He has three young children.

Who should attend: . This event is for teaching staff, early years practitioners, and others involved in education children and young people; as well as parents and carers.

Creative Learning, Creative practitioners, Education Scotland, Events, Scotland Colleges, Secondary schools

CLD Creative Conversation – how can partnerships support Post 16 transitions

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Click on the image for more info

Education Scotland’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) Policy and Improvement team are working in partnership with the CLD sector and wider stakeholders to deliver a series of short ‘Creative Conversations’ on key areas of current policy reform which have an impact on CLD partners.

This conversation will focus on how partnerships support Post-16 transitions and Opportunities for All. It will also consider how 16+ reform impacts on this area of work. Participants will range from community learning and development, schools, colleges and third sector organisations. The format for the day will maximise opportunities for cross-sector discussion building on the work currently being developed to ensure successful transitions.

The format of the session will be ‘thought pieces’ of 10-15 minutes, followed by facilitated discussion considering:

•How can we collectively ensure we share and understand best practice locally
and nationally?
•What makes for best practice in ensuring successful transitions post 16?
•Ways forward from here?

The event is free to attend and takes place on Friday 21 March from 10.30am until 3pm at Kilwinning College campus.  To book your place please email Fraser MacKay.

Further details about the event can be found on the Education Scotland website.

Creative Learning, Education Scotland, Numeracy and Maths, Primary schools, resources, Science, Secondary schools, Technologies

STEM e-bulletin March 2014

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Welcome to the e-bulletin for sciences, technologies, engineering and maths (STEM). Sign up to receive it directly.

Sciences
• New food security learning journeys on STEM Central for second level
• Calling all citizens scientists! Join the Big Bumblebee Discovery
• NQ sciences update including Higher Cross-Authority Writing Workshops
• Award winning primary science resource, Tigtag, is free to Glow users – no need to ask for a trial.

Technologies
• Williamwood High – Using QR Codes in Practical Craft Skills
• John Paul II Primary – technologies in the nursery
• STEM Ambassador roadshow at 5:30pm Wed 12th March at the Falkirk Wheel
• Ellen McArthur Foundation event at University of Bradford 25th – 27th March

Numeracy and mathematics
• Support resources now available for Mathematics National 4 and National 4 Life Skills Mathematics
• Articles for 11-14 year olds, including ‘Do iPods really shuffle?’
• Aspiring teachers – numeracy video exemplifications

Did you know?
March 14th-23rd is National Science and Engineering Week. Theme this year: Explore the Future.

Video Inspiration
Renfrewshire school boy’s Lego animation promotes British Red Cross resilience campaign.

We’ve got loads more news to share! See our STEM blog for the latest updates.

Art, Art and Design, Creative Partners, Creative practitioners, Creativity, Glow TV, Primary schools, Secondary schools

Artist Will McLean Talks to Glow

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27/02/2014 10:45-11:30

What inspires a leading contemporary artist? How does an artist go about his work? How do I develop as an artist? If you’ve ever had questions like these then this is the Glow TV event for you.

As part of the preparation for the MUSA Young Artist Award 2014 renowned Fife-based artist Will Maclean will be talking about his life and work and will be answering YOUR questions.

Will is going to speak briefly about his own work and career before taking your questions.

If you are not able to watch the session live you can submit questions in advance by email for Will to answer.

The MUSA Young Artist Award is an art competition for schools in Fife organised by the Museum of the University of St Andrews.

Schools from all over Scotland are invited to participate in this Glow TV event.

For more information and to register for this event click here. (Glow Login required)

Creativity

Want to join the Network?

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Why join Fife’s Creative Learning Network?

  • Receive a weekly round up email so you never miss out on any opportunities
  • Receive early bird emails about events and opportunties

Coming soon:

  • Competitions
  • Discounts to events and shows
  • Sharing area

Email KarenM.Taylor@onfife.com with your details to join TODAY!