Tag Archives: CPD

CLN News, CPD, GIRFEC, South Lanarkshire

Girfec: A creative approach

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An innovative conference, entitled Girfec: A creative approach, was recently held in South Lanarkshire as part of the Creative Learning Networks scheme.

South Lanarkshire’s Cultural Co-ordinator team organised the half day conference which was aimed at colleagues from across agencies and aimed to explore creative approaches to achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and their families linking to the wellbeing indicators.

The Cultural Co-ordinators are part of Integrating Children’s Services with a key remit for vulnerable families so undertake a lot of targeted working with schools and also with children and families. The conference gave an opportunity to bring together a wide range of colleagues to highlight the value of creative approaches when looking at girfec.

The conference offered colleagues the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker David Cameron, hear about practical examples and to network and discover the range of services already available within South Lanarkshire.

The objectives of the conference were to encourage staff to:

▫       Identify areas of their work where arts, culture and creativity could be used to address the wellbeing indicators.

▫       Gain a stronger awareness of national policy in relation to arts, culture and creativity in education.

▫       Take forward innovative approaches within own practice.

▫       Adopt collaborative approaches across resources.

The event was targeted at a wide range of agencies including social work, NHS and the voluntary sector.  The following chart shows the breakdown of who attended.

The response from delegates overall was positive with people citing the importance to gather information as being an important part of the event, as well as the chance to hear an inspirational and motivational speaker. One delegate noted “Enthusiastic presenters who made me think about new ways to approach my work with children & families” and another “Really put GIRFEC into a context which will enthuse practitioners.”

A short film feature was made by South Lanarkshire TV about the event – it can be found at the following link http://youtu.be/Tw_t2V-6QLg

CLN News, College CLNs, Scottish Borders

Local Authority and College CLN Collaboration in the Borders

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A joint event between the Scottish Borders Council and Borders College CLNs’ was held on Thursday 25th April with the aim of building links across the college and local authority networks. Participants came from Primary, Secondary, FE and HE.  Phil Orr, Borders College Creative Catalyst and Susanne Batchelor, Scottish Borders Council Creative Learning Manager led this initial session. The first part of the morning was spent looking at creativity in education, locally, nationally and internationally through film clips and presentations.

During the second part of the morning participants worked in groups to generate ideas using the ‘Ideas Trail’ toolkit, developed by UXL Ltd. Each group were given a question about Creativity and were asked to come up with 50 ideas.

  1. How do we create different spaces/environments for creative teaching and learning?
  2. How do we engage partners in creative teaching and learning?
  3. How do we assess/measure/capture creativity of students?
  4. How do we improve the way we teach to further develop creativity in our learners?

The ideas were then narrowed down during group discussions and two ‘Red Hot’ ideas were selected and presented. A general discussion was then held around the next steps and how to continue to develop the network.

Some comments from discussions:

“The creative process is a specialist term which needs an agreed definition so we all know what we’re talking about.”

“I love everything about teaching creatively but I’m really concerned about what exactly to write in my planning folder when my HT (and others I’m sure) expect teachers’ plans to detail every session to the nth degree. Looking forward to discussing it further with others.”

“Listening to like minded people – encouraged that teachers too could share the vision for change.”

“Thinking about my own teaching and that I do teach creatively but there is always room to improve and build on.”

“Networking, learning a strategy for starting creative thinking processes in my class and in other education groups of which I am a part.”

“Discussion of where to go from here and take it back into the work place to develop. Opportunity to share ideas of how to overcome difficulties and promote ideas further”

“Continue to teach creatively and look to improve it, also to try to encourage colleagues to be open to creativity”

NEXT STEPS:

From the ideas generated and from the feedback received, the next steps for the partnership CLNs from Scottish Borders Council and Borders College are:

  • To continue the innovation conversation in schools and college through further planned joint sessions and CPD
  • To implement some of the Red Hot ideas through pilots on schools and college
  • To develop materials and use processes to allow the sharing of good practice and the continued development of creativity in teaching and learning in the Borders Region.

Clackmannanshire, CLN News, CPD, Falkirk, Stirling

Creative Development and Connectivity with Dr Suzanne Zeedyk

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Kildean Suite, Forth Valley College, Stirling

Thursday, May 9th 2013
4.30pm – 6.30pm
4pm for refreshments and registration

Forth Valley Creative Learning has invited Dr Suzanne Zeedyk to lead the final Creative Conversation in its current programme.

For the past 25 years Suzanne has been an academic researcher, studying babies’ innate ability to communicate and connect with other people. In 1993, Suzanne took up an academic post in the UK as a Developmental Psychologist at the University of Dundee and has remained there since, currently holding the post of Honorary Fellow.  She is an inspiring and thought-provoking speaker.

Suzanne has loved what the field of Developmental Psychology has taught her, why it is that a child’s earliest years have such a profound effect on their later years, including their emotional security, their trust in others, their self-confidence, their relationships, their connectivity. Now she wants to help ensure that this knowledge is spread as widely as possible and frequently acts as partner or speaker for a wide range of organisations throughout the UK and abroad including police, educators, health workers, nursery staff, parent groups and children’s theatre groups helping them to better understand the neuroscientific, biological, and psychological evidence concerning the human need for emotional connection, something creativity can be a channel for. Suzanne feels if we overlook emotional connection, then we all pay for it, through the services that governments need to fund such as prisons, mental health programmes, hospitals, fostering arrangements, extra support in schools and other services.

To book a free ticket for the event click on the following link:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/333091

For further information contact:

hoarec@stirling.gov.uk or gayle.martin@falkirk.gov.uk

Further events will be planned for the academic year 2013/14.  Please keep a look out on the Forth Valley Creative Learning Website

CLN News, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire

Sharing Ideas, Thoughts and Dreams – news from East Ayrshire CLN

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East Ayrshire Creative Minds Learning Network hosted an informative,
entertaining and enjoyable event on Tuesday 26th March, held at Dumfries
House, Cumnock.

Keynote speaker, Professor Brian Boyd stimulated discussion about the
future of arts in education and placing creativity at the heart of
learning.

Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, who
participated in discussions said:

“This event provided an extremely valuable opportunity for local people to come together and talk about creative learning.  It follows on from the establishment of a successful Artist Network, which is supported jointly by East and South Ayrshire Councils.  The networking opportunities undoubtedly strengthened links between parents, schools and the artist community and I am proud to be a
part of this initiative.”

Over 60 people attended in one of Scotland’s most beautiful stately
homes, including teachers, classroom assistants, parents, carers and a
wide range of artists.  Over the past year, East Ayrshire’s CLN has
provided high quality professional development opportunities to members
including Garageband for Beginners, How looking at Art Can Support CfE,
Classical Indian Dance, 10-week Dance Leadership Course, Primary
Conducting and Repertoire, Scottish Ballet ‘Nutcracker’, Alcohol and
Drugs Awareness through Creative Learning, Heritage Arts and the
establishment of a strong Artist Network.  East Ayrshire CLN has more
than doubled its membership this year, with over 250 participants.

“This year our network has grown considerably, both in size and diversity
of its members.  I am overwhelmed with the support and positive feedback
from participants sharing their learning and experiences with teaching
colleagues and pupils, parents with their children at home and the
successful establishment of an Artist Network.  Not only this, but by
bringing together like-minded individuals, dynamic new partnerships have
been formed whilst providing motivation for their own learning and
teaching in meaningful and fun ways.”  Helen Duncan, Cultural Co-ordinator

The Creative Learning Networks Fund is managed by Education Scotland, in
partnership with Creative Scotland in local authority areas across
Scotland.  East Ayrshire will continue to work with South Ayrshire
Council CLN on joint projects to add value, avoid duplication and
maximise resources for future events and training.

“The Creative Minds Learning Network event in Dumfries House had a real
buzz about it. Professor Brian Boyd set the scene by focussing on
‘opening our classrooms’.  While the vibrant discussions which followed
exemplified just what is possible when artists and teachers share ideas,
thoughts and dreams.”  John Wilson, Senior Education Manager

Helen Duncan, Cultural Coordinator, East Ayrshire

CPD, Education News, Teachers

GTCS launches revised Professional Standards

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A suite of revised Professional Standards for teachers was launched by GTC Scotland this week.

The revised Standards which will replace the current four Standards in August 2013 are:

  • The Standards for Registration (incorporating the Standard for Provisional Registration and the Standard for Full Registration)
  • The Standard for Career-Long Professional Learning
  • The Standards for Leadership and Management (incorporating the Standard for Middle Leadership and the Standard for Headship).
CPD, Creative Practitioners, Teachers

Enhanced Teaching and Learning with QR codes

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Tuesday 19 March 2013 (16:15 – 17:00)
Webinar

Enhancing Learning and Teaching: So how can this be achieved using QR codes?

QR codes are now becoming commonplace and most smartphone users are familiar with using them to interactively access information, web pages, multimedia resources etc. They offer scope to introduce interactivity in to the curriculum using mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets whilst widening the range of information and resources which can be integrated into the learning process. Used appropriately they can offer benefits such as increased engagement, self-directed learning, wider and deeper learning.

This webinar will focus on the ways in which QR codes can be created and used without the requirement for any technical skills and introduce examples of specific applications which can be used to enhance learning and teaching.

The webinar will be led by David Dyet, ICT Systems Manager, Reid Kerr College.

View Programme and Book Online

CfE, CLD, CPD, Stirling

Curriculum for Excellence Senior Phase Beyond School: CLD and Colleges Explore

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Wednesday 13 March 2013 (09:45 – 15:40)
College Development Network, Argyll Court, Stirling

Colleges, schools, Community Learning and Development (CLD) have embraced Curriculum for Excellence entitlements to shape the learning experience of young people entering the senior phase and facilitate transition to positive destinations.

All sectors have grasped the reality that this cannot be achieved in isolation: there has to be continued strengthening and consolidation of collaborative and partnership working.

This event explores how collaborative and partnership working between colleges and CLD can support successful and sustained transitions and support skills for learning, life and work.

Aims:

  • To consolidate understanding of Curriculum for Excellence senior phase
  • To identify the benefits of colleges and CLD working collaboratively for transition processes to senior phase
  • To share and understand Curriculum for Excellence approaches used in colleges and CLD to deliver better outcomes for young people.
  • To broaden understanding of CLD policy, practice and provision and the significant contribution of this sector to Curriculum for Excellence particularly in the area of skills for learning, life and work.

View Programme and Book Online

CPD, Self Evaluation, Teachers

OECD webinar: Using Evaluation to Improve Teaching, 13 March

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2013 International Summit on the Teaching Profession
Using evaluation to improve teaching
OECD Education and Skills webinar series with Andreas Schleicher – OECD Deputy Director for Education and Skills and Kristen Weatherby – Senior Analyst, OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

Wednesday, March 13th 2013 at the following times
11:00 am Europe Time (Paris, GMT+01:00)
1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

What: The third International Summit on the Teaching Profession will bring together education ministers, union leaders and other teacher leaders from high-performing and rapidly improving education systems, as measured by the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), to discuss how teacher quality is defined and what standards are set and by whom; what systems are in place for teacher evaluation and how evaluations are conducted; and how teacher evaluation contributes to school improvement and teacher self-efficacy.
In some countries the concept – not to mention the use – of teacher appraisal sparks discussion just about wherever and whenever it is mentioned. According to what criteria? Who decides? And what should the results of teacher appraisals be used for?  The webinars will present the report Teachers for the 21st Century: Using Evaluation to Improve Teaching  which underpins the 2013 Summit with available research about effective approaches to teacher appraisal and examples of reforms that have produced specific results, show promise or illustrate imaginative ways of implementing change.  By looking at how appraisal results are used it shows how teacher appraisal can be a key lever for increasing the focus on teaching quality and continuous professional development for teachers, in keeping with the growing recognition that the quality of teaching affects student learning outcomes.
Who: Andreas Schleicher, OECD Deputy Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General of the OECD and Kristen Weatherby – Senior Analyst, OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

When: Wednesday, March 13th 2013: 2 webinars will be held at the following times:
11:00 am Europe Time (Paris, GMT+01:00)
1:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)

Where: The convenience of your own computer. For registration see instructions below.
——————————————————–
To register for the online briefing
——————————————————–
1. Go to https://oecdwash.webex.com/oecdwash/onstage/g.php?p=0&t=m
2. Select the event and click “Register”.
3. On the registration form, enter your information and then click “Submit”.

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event.
For assistance please send a message to Matthias.Rumpf@oecd.org

CfE, CPD, Health and Wellbeing, Outdoor Learning

Adventures in Improvised Living – building wellbeing, resilience and learning power through outdoor exploration and discovery

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Venue: Crieff Hydro, Perthshire

Date: 14 March

Education Scotland would like to invite practitioners working in upper primary and secondary to this event, particularly those interested in developing their outdoor practice to achieve Professional Recognition in Outdoor Learning from GTCS.

Event Details: Click here
To attend this event, please complete the registration form http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G8MMLRZ

You will need the name and contact details of the lead officer nominating you for this event in order to register. Places will be confirmed on 4 March and a detailed programme for the day will be sent then.