Walking, Drawing and Extending Sites for Learning

The University of the West of Scotland and the Festival of Dangerous Ideas host a day seminar on Thinking Dangerously in Teacher Education.

This seminar will use initial findings from a Creative Scotland funded cross-faculty research project within UWS, which set out to develop creative interventions across the curriculum through Walking, Drawing and Extending Sites for Learning, to engage education professionals and others in debate about future ways of learning.

The three methodologies of Walking, Drawing and Extending Sites for Learning were devised in response to the ‘change agenda’ in teaching and learning in Scottish schools, following the publication and implementation of the Donaldson Report, Teaching Scotland’s Future. 

The seminar will involve a number of presentations and activities from those involved in the project as well as a key note from the internationally renowned Professor Tim Ingold, whose work in the area of social anthropology inspired the project.

http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4671

Assessment should be an integral part of learning and teaching. Assessment approaches need to promote learner engagement and ensure appropriate support so that all learners can achieve their aspirational goals and maximise their potential. As with all aspects of Curriculum for Excellence, assessment practices should be seen from the perspective of the learner who is afforded an element of personalisation and choice in showing that they have achieved the intended outcomes. At this conference the following questions will be addressed:

• how do we assess a diverse range of evidence?

• how do we assess creative thinking?

• do we trust our own professional judgements?

http://events.collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk/events/show/4685

The fourth of this series of Creative Conversations (and the second of 2013) will be on Tuesday 7^th May at 4pm for 4.30 till 5.30pm with wine and canapes afterwards (venue to follow with confirmation of attendance). I am delighted that our Creative Catalyst this session is meteorologist, broadcaster and educationalist, Heather Reid OBE.

Heather will revisit the world of creativity, science and technology for this Creative Conversation. Heather is utterly determined to inspire generations of scientists and is always ready to bring imagination, innovation and real professionalism to so doing. She is bursting with ideas for what we might talk about at the Creative Conversation. If you’re in the least interested in science and remotely concerned about creativity, you should come along – do not miss this one!

As with all previous Creative Conversations, David Cameron will facilitate the discussion and you are invited to continue the conversations afterwards with Heather, David and colleagues over wine and canapes!

Creative Conversation are becoming more and more popular – please get back to me directly if you would like to attend and I’ll send full venue details and confirmation of your place.

Tel: 0131 469 3956

Fax: 0131 529 6212

Email: linda.lees@edinburgh.gov.uk

Glow Learning Experiences: week beginning 13 May

The ‘Look, capture, create’ interdisciplinary learning experience takes place over four weeks and is aimed at second level learners. Developed in partnership with Dundee Contemporary Arts it explores the use of designer/illustrator Johanna Basford’s exhibition ‘Wonderlands’  to improve understanding of the importance of Scottish biodiversity through skill development in art and design and science creativity challenges. These experiences have been planned to coincide with Scotland’s Nature Festival and Walk to School Week. The first 10 schools to sign up for 2 or more creativity challenges on the Glow TV schedule will receive 20 black ink pens, as recommended by Johanna Basford and a copy of her latest book ‘Secret Garden – An Inky Treasure Hunt’. The ‘Look, capture, create’ National Glow Group provides more information.

City of Edinburgh Council have shared how children in the city’s nurseries are benefiting from outdoor water features. You can read about it on their blog.

How are you harnessing nature to take children’s learning forward in your setting?

http://edinburghbrightfutures.com/2013/02/18/children-make-a-splash-with-outdoor-play-investment/

Red Kite Animation and Edinburgh Museums & Galleries present an exciting new animation competition. Inspired by artist Qian Shi’s award-winning animated short film about a toy shoe, the competition is designed to celebrate Edinburgh’s rich heritage and the art of animation.

Link with short film created by Qian Shi:

http://www.redkiteworkshops.co.uk/competition.html

The winning entries will be exhibited at the Edinburgh City Art Centre, profiled on the Red Kite Animaton website and the Animation Network’s website.

Entries will be judged by a panel of animation professionals and educators including: Will Anderson (BAFTA winning animator), Iain Gardner (from EIFF), Qian Shi, Jared Taylor (from ECA) and Sueann Smith (from Red Kite), and Cllr Lewis.

Benefits

For older, aspiring animators, this is a wonderful opportunity to have their work seen by some of Scotland’s most esteemed animation professionals and, for younger animators, an opportunity to enjoy being creative and have fun.

Prizes

Grand prize… a bespoke Red Kite Animation Workshop.

Winners will be showcased in an exhibition at City Art Centre; as well as on the Red Kite Animation and Scottish Animation Network websites, reaching hundreds of animation professionals worldwide.

All winners will feature in a “red carpet” screening ahead of Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013.

Additional prizes include: Red Kite Animation Certificates, film tickets, Dennis & Gnasher giveaways, DVDs and more!