All posts by S. Bullock

Languages and Literacy, Technologies

Media Literacy and CfE Conference – 14 May, Dundee

Leave a comment

The 2011 AMES Conference Breaking Barriers: Multimodal and Media Literacy in the Curriculum for Excellence will take place at Abertay University in Dundee on Saturday 14 May 2011, 1000-1700.

Association for Media Education in Scotland (AMES)

It will address the issues raised in the AMES position paper <http://www.mediaedscotland.org.uk/AMESPositionPaperFeb2011.pdf> published in Feb 2011. The keynote speaker is Professor David Buckingham of the University of London’s Institute of Education. David is the leading researcher in media education pedagogy and has published widely on the topic. There will also be a range of Curriculum for Excellence related workshops for primary, secondary or adult/further education educators. There are five strands: film, television, video games, digital production and media/multimodal literacy. Delegates can choose 3 from 15 workshops. 9 are suited to primary, 15 to secondary and 14 to further education/adult education.  For further details see the conference flyer <http://www.mediaedscotland.org.uk/AMES2011ConferencePdf.pdf> .

Sciences

EdinburghScience Festival 2011

Leave a comment

This Easter the Science Festival is back in Edinburgh with events, activities and workshops for all ages, giving you the chance to get hands-on with science. From 9-22 April, you can discover the world’s natural wonder, stake out a computer-generated monster and delve into the workings of the human body at inspiring venues across Edinburgh.

http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/



All seven floors of the festival’s flagship family venue, City Art Centre, will be packed with interactive activities and drop-in events. From magical storytelling for your youngest explorers to robot-building workshops for the computer programmers of the future, you’ll find something for everyone.

This year is the International Year of Chemistry, and to celebrate the Science Festival have designed a brand new event – Atomise. Taking place in the John Hope Gateway at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Atomise is alive with experiments, demonstrating the amazing results of chemistry in action. Featuring hands-on, make and take workshops, shows, exhibitions and demonstrations, Atomise is a day out full of fizz and fascination.

There are spectacular workshops at Edinburgh Zoo; interactive events at the National Museums and Adam House and a brand new partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre, all part of a programme offering diverse interpretations of science for families and adults.

Browse and book events online now at www.sciencefestival.co.uk <http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/>  or call the box office on 0131 553 0322. You can download a programme from the website or request a copy by emailing your details to marketing@scifest.co.uk.

Uncategorized

Historic Scotland Education Unit Glow Group Open!

Leave a comment

The Historic Scotland Education Unit Glow Group is now open!

Historic Scotland encourages imaginative and sustainable use of the historic environment as a resource for cross-curricular, participative learning opportunities.  Their castles, abbeys, industrial buildings, parks and prehistoric sites provide unique and memorable learning environments for learners of all ages.

• Find out about free visits to hundreds of sites
• Discover exciting activities
• Access free resources for teachers and pupils
• Browse their free CPD events

Click here to access the Glow Group

Sciences, Technologies

2 day computer games design workshop for 12-16 year olds

Leave a comment

Edinburgh International Science Festival – Video Game Studio

Could you develop the next Mario? If you dream of a career in games development, the Science Festival’s Video Game Studio, at Edinburgh’s Stevenson College is for you. Run by Abertay University’s renowned games design competition Dare to be Digital this two day workshop gives you the opportunity to get hands on with the gaming industry.

You will learn about how computer games companies work and find out all the steps involved in designing and producing the video games we buy. You’ll also get the chance to try out some of the most up to date gaming technology and find out more about the different jobs that help create a video game from start to finish.

Best of all – you’ll work in a team to create a small piece of animated video game to take home with you. And students from the University of Abertay will be on hand to help you every step of the way, from designing your characters to programming your game. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore an amazing and creative career.

11-12 and 13-14 April

£70 per person

Suitable for ages 12-16.

Each workshop runs over two consecutive days, from 9am-4pm each day. All you need to bring is a packed lunch and some water – all other materials, including notepaper and pens, will be provided.

This event can be booked online at www.sciencefestival.co.uk or by phone on 0131 553 0322.

Further information on the format of the workshop will be provided following booking.

Dance, Drama, Languages and Literacy, Technologies

Evaluating the Performing Arts – Interactive Resource now live on Glow

Leave a comment


Imaginate’s step by step guide to evaluating the performing arts is now live and available via Glow. This interactive online resource has been designed through consultation with teachers and pupils as part of Imaginate’s Co-Create <https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/CoCreate/about/>  project.


http://ltsblogs.org.uk/glowscotland/2011/03/31/introducing-stevie-dante-imaginates-virtual-theatre-critic/


The resource has now been launched nationally and a Glow Group <https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Glow%20Arts/Imaginate/default.aspx>  is also available.

The new resource aims to support teachers in meeting Curriculum for Excellence Expressive Arts Experiences and Outcomes across all levels, and encourages pupils to develop critical thinking skills and become more able to express their own thoughts, feelings and opinions with confidence whilst valuing those of others.

Languages and Literacy

Peer learning, Visual impairment, Symbols, Environment, Museums

Leave a comment

New Sharing Practice materials have been added to the Supporting Learners website.

The Touching Lives initiative demonstrates how visually impaired young people and their sighted peers work together creatively to gain a greater appreciation of artefacts at the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University.


http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/t/touchinglives/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=sharingpractice&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-645094-64 <http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/t/touchinglives/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=sharingpractice&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-645094-64>

Communication is key for all children and young people and their teachers. The Symbolising the Environment project in Fife demonstrates how the use of symbols has a positive impact on all children and young people, not only those with additional support needs.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/s/symbolsproject/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=search&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64 <http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/sharingpractice/s/symbolsproject/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=search&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64>

Uncategorized

Impressionism: Hints and Tips Glow Meet – this Thursday!

Leave a comment

Attention ALL teachers! Creative CPD from National Gallery of Scotland.

Using some of the most recognised Impressionist paintings in our collection as inspiration; this will be a fun, hands-on practical session aimed at all teachers, with or without an art background . Teachers will work with an artist experimenting with various techniques and approaches to mark making, drawing and painting in an impressionistic style. They will be actively encouraged to experiment and problem solve using whatever materials they have available in their classroom.

Impressionism: Hints & Tips
Thursday 31 March 2011
4pm (for teachers)
National Gallery of Scotland

Click here to go straight to the Glowing Thursdays page and sign up for the Glow Meet.

https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Glowing%20Potential/Lists/Pages/Glowing%20Thursdays.aspx

Health and Wellbeing

Pupils design new playground structures

Leave a comment

Improvements to the playground at St Bernadette’s Primary mean that lessons are regularly being taken beyond the classroom.

The Tullibody primary school is one of ten primaries in Clackmannanshire involved in the Grounds for Learning Project and is now in its second year of developing learning and playing outdoors.

Grounds for Learning is the Alloa-based Scottish school grounds charity. Their vision is for Scottish children to be happier and healthier, to learn more effectively and to develop environmental understanding and care as a result of enjoying great outdoor environments and experiences in their schools and nurseries. They support schools and early years settings to create fun and inspiring outdoor spaces for health, learning, play, sustainability, sociability and fun.

In year one of the St Bernadette’s project, families in school were asked to design playground play structures to improve the school’s grounds. The Pupil Council then agreed on two designs – ‘the snake’ designed by the Lachut Family (Paul and Shaun) and ‘a bug’ wooden structure, designed by the Hughes family (Eilidh).

The school then established a partnership with Forth Valley College and their building department agreed to create both designs. Pupils visited the college to see their designs being brought to life. Both the ‘snake in the grass’ and the ‘bugs’ have now been installed, to the delight of the pupils.

P3/4 pupils also worked on a gardening project with John Warnock and together have developed the quad area.

Other improvements that St Bernadette’s achieved last year involved parents and the outdoor blackboards and fairy logs are well used by pupils at playtimes.

St Bernadette’s Headteacher Tina O’Neill said: “Our special thanks go to Bill Hamilton and his team at the college who were excellent in bringing these designs to life. Curriculum for Excellence makes connections between indoor and outdoor learning across the curriculum and this project continues to enrich our pupils’ learning. In this second year of the project we intend to build an outdoor classroom to facilitate more opportunities for our children to learn outside.”

Uncategorized

Children’s Illustrators Exhibition – Falkirk

Leave a comment

Scottish Book Trust –
Julia Donaldson – the illustrators exhibition
12 March-2 May 2011, The Park Gallery, Falkirk
http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/news-amp-events

The Scottish Book Trust reports that the Park Gallery in Falkirk and Artlink Central have invited Julia Donaldson to curate ‘The Illustrators’ – an exhibition which presents an overview of contemporary children’s illustration. The exhibition aims to highlight the diverse range of approaches to illustration and focuses on a number of illustrators who have worked with Julia over the years. Featuring original illustrations (by, AxelScheffler, amongst others) and sketches, ideas and film, the exhibition will provide an insight into the illustrator’s working methods.