All posts by J. Fenby

CfE Briefing: Broad General Education in the Secondary School

A Q&A guide for practitioners is now available to download from the Education Scotland website. It is the first in a series of briefing documents and raises some key issues which practitioners should be considering as they plan to develop provision for the broad general education at the S1 to S3 stages.

In addition, a guide for parents about broad general education, the period from age three to the end of S3, covers all of the experiences and outcomes across all curriculum areas. It has frequently-asked questions about the period of the broad general education (BGE) including what children learn and how their learning is assessed, understanding learners’ progress and making choices for qualifications.

Download the briefings here:

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/thecurriculum/whatiscurriculumforexcellence/keydocs/cfebriefings.asp?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0

Scottish Learning Festival – 19 & 20 September 2012

Register for the Scottish Learning Festival 2012

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/slf/?dm_i=LQE,V041,3GU5HR,2JYCT,1

SLF 2012 takes place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 September in the SECC, Glasgow.  The theme for this year’s festival is Creative Learning…Creative Thinking and a number of CLNs are taking part in the seminar programme and the Education Showcase. The full programme of keynotes and seminars, along with details of the range of additional activities, is available on the SLF website.

Community Toolkit

Skye and Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations have developed  an online reference tool for community groups of all sizes – from small clubs to larger social enterprises. Containing information on a wide range of topics, the Community Toolkit guides you through consultations with your local community, setting up a group or project, managing and developing your activities and looking after the people that use your services.  The Community Toolkit also includes a section on Generating Income and a funder’s database to help you find suitable funding sources. Find your local Community Toolkit at http://community-toolkit.org.uk/local-toolkit.htm.

Innovative Approaches to QA & Moderation

Education Scotland has worked with a range of practitioners to publish case studies on innovative ways of developing quality assurance and moderation processes.  The materials cover the early years, primary, and secondary sectors across a range of subjects and all have been through a national quality assurance and moderation process. Visit the National Assessment Resource (NAR), use your Glow login and view the case studies at the following link:

https://www.narscotland.org.uk/_search.jsp?search_phrase=QA%20and%20Moderation%20Innovation%20Sharing%20the%20Standard

Scotland’s New Qualifications

Two major milestones have been met on the route towards the introduction of Scotland’s new National Qualifications by Scottish Qualifications Authority and Education Scotland.

SQA has published the final Course, Unit and Assessment Specifications for the 197 new National Qualifications at National 2, National 3, National 4, National 5 and Higher levels.

Simultaneously, Education Scotland has published a suite of practical advice and guidance for teachers and lecturers to support them in preparing for implementing key aspects of the new qualifications.

The material from both organisations is available to download from their websites:

www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence

www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nq

Further information can be found in SQA’s press release


Short Courses – Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has published its 2012-13 programme of short courses for artists at all ages and stages to develop their skills in the performing and production arts. The programme offers specialist creative learning and teaching in dance, drama, music, production and screen, in a variety of formats ranging from weekly classes to learning events and summer schools.

The Conservatoire’s website www.rcs.ac.uk/shortcourses gives further information on the content of their courses and how to apply. Alternatively, you can download the programme here: Short Courses – Portfolio 12-13

BeXcellent – CfE site for young people

A new website which will bring Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) to life for
young people has been launched by Children in Scotland and the Scottish
Youth Parliament, in partnership with Scottish Government.
BeXcellent is the first CfE resource created specifically for children and
young people, and offers an easy-to-understand approach to the new
curriculum and the personalised, creative learning it promotes.  The site
was developed in consultation with groups of children and young people and
features a simple guide to the new curriculum as well as activities
designed to stimulate independent learning and new ways of thinking.
There is also a competition on the website which is open to anyone living
in Scotland who is 18 years or under.

www.bexcellent.org.uk

Mining history for great ideas

East Lothian has used some of its Creative Learning Networks funding to support a number of  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. One of these KTPs has inspired a partnership project between local primary schools and Prestongrange mining museum. Pupils from two schools designed new products to solve some of the dangerous problems miners face and presented their ideas to each other in a Dragon’s Den style Glow Meet. To find out more, read Douglas Blane’s article in TESS.

Click here to find out more about East Lothian’s Creative Learning Network

Is It Creative? A five day online networking event on creativity in learning

This week, Education Scotland is inviting Creative Learning Networks, Creativity Portal Partners and colleagues to join us in an online discussion around creativity and learning.

This is an ideal opportunity to:
Gain experience and confidence in using Glow Meet and other Glow tools and technologies

  • Engage in discussions and contribute to the ongoing national debate on creativity in learning
  • Network with colleagues from Creative Learning Networks and national creative organisations, ‘face to face’
  • Share creative learning experiences, practice and ideas with colleagues
  • Leave a valuable resource behind for teachers and educators to reference when thinking about the role of creativity in their work

We’ll be online from 09.45 to 11.30 each day at:
https://portal.glowscotland.org.uk/establishments/nationalsite/Creative%20Learning%20Scotland/Is%20It%20Creative/default.aspx

Monday 12 Dec – Glow Meet Reminder

An opportunity to remind yourself how to use Glow Meet or try it out for the first time. Practice uploading powerpoints, sharing your desktop and collaborating with colleagues using the shared whiteboard. Bring your questions, share your experiences.

Tuesday 13 Dec – Creative Learning Networks Exchange

Find out how a number of Creative Learning Coordinators are developing Creative Learning Networks in their local authorities:

  • Scottish Borders is using strategic approaches working across the local authority to develop its network
  • Dumfries & Galloway will discuss how they are approaching creativity in outdoor learning
  • Aberdeen will talk about engaging parents in their children’s creative learning through the Big Creative Picnic for families

Wednesday 14 Dec – Creative use of Technology for Learning

What is the difference between a blog and a wiki? How can you improve your Glow group? This is a chance to bring any questions you have about Glow and social media tools and also to get a few inspiring glimpses into emerging technologies. Find out more about the power of technology for learning and share ideas on how to use it creatively.

Thursday 15 Dec – Creative Learning Snapshots

Share a snapshot from your experiences of creative learning. Take just a couple of minutes to share a creative learning experience – it could be an example of something that worked really well, or something that didn’t; a significant moment, or a really great creative activity. Use images or videos, just talk, or get your fellow Glow Meeters going with a creative challenge. We’ll also have an open floor discussion – a chance to bring to the table any burning issues you’d like to discuss.

Friday 16 Dec – Glow Meet Creative Challenge!

Join us for a creative finale to the week. All you need is yourself, your webcam, plug in earphones/headphones and laptop. All will be revealed on the day – we’re fairly certain this hasn’t been attempted before!