Author: George Milliken

scottish computing science conference

Scottish Computing Science Conference – live from 3 locations across the country! Saturday 11th November 2023

Open to all early years practitioners, primary school teachers, and secondary school teachers who teach Computing.

During this unmissable event, you will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts who will share insights into future career prospects and to attend practical breakout sessions designed to empower you with innovative teaching methods for the classroom

The conference will be held on Saturday 11th November at 10am simultaneously at the following venues;

 

When registering, you can choose the nearest venue to you.

 

 

The proposed agenda for the day is as follows:

  • 9:45 Arrival. Registration and refreshments
  • 10am Welcome
  • Ollie Bray Strategic Director Education Scotland – Inverness College (streamed to all venues)

 

  • 10:15am Keynotes
  • Karen Meechan ScotlandIS – West Lothian College/Livingston
  • tbc – West of Scotland College/Paisley
  • tbc – Inverness college

 

  • 11:45am Workshop Session 1

 

  • 12:30pm Lunch

 

  • 1:00pm Workshop Session 2
  • 2:15pm Workshop Session 3

 

  • 3pm Closing Speaker tbc

 

  • 3:15pm Networking Event

A Microsoft Form will be sent to you nearer the event to allow you to select the three workshops that best suit your needs from a list and to allow you to select your dietary requirements.

Use this link to sign up for your nearest event

 GET TICKETS 

Cyber resilience and internet safety: enabled or dependent

DigiLearnScot home

When assessing the potential risks of online behaviour, it is important to evaluate whether it is internet-dependent or internet-enabled: is the internet required for this risk or behaviour to happen?

This should be the first point of evaluating whether it is in a cyber or internet incident or a societal or safeguarding one and help you find the best support for the issue.

  go to cyber home

communicate with colleagues

Communicate with colleagues (Essential Skills)

back to Essential Teacher Digital Skills

Use the tabs section below to select a topic and see the tutorial videos for it:

Find out more about Teams and how to communicate with colleagues using it:

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Find out more about Teams and how to communicate with colleagues using it:

YouTube player

YouTube player

YouTube player

This video demonstrates these skills with Outlook in Glow. Some educators may use a different service but the skills are common to most email:

YouTube player

YouTube player

YouTube player

Device Basics

Device Basics (Essential Skills)

device basics

back to Essential Teacher Digital Skills

Use the tabs section below to select a topic and see the tutorial videos for it:

These short videos explain how to open your browser, log in to Glow and use the launchpad.

YouTube player

YouTube player

This video explains some of the essential skills for effective web searches – find out more on our information literacy page with this link:
go to information literacy page

YouTube player

 

Accessibility features can make your devices and platforms easier to use but will vary depending on the device and platform but also your school or local authority settings. Start finding out what’s possible on these platforms:

This video playlist has some hints and tips to get you started:

YouTube player

YouTube player
YouTube player

CyberFirst Colleges Project

CyberFirst College Pathways

 

Colleges are seeing a decline in the number of students undertaking the Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Cyber Security. Meanwhile, an increasing number of schools find it difficult to offer comprehensive pathways for learners in cyber security due to staffing and timetabling. This is having an impact on the number of learners progressing to Cyber Security courses offered by our colleges.

 

Education Scotland will be working with colleges across Scotland to pilot an approach that will offer places on colleges courses to learners directly from schools. The pilot will involve the college running a CyberFirst day where learners will be able to show the skills and knowledge they have developed as part of the NPA.

While attending the CyberFirst day young people will have the opportunity to take part in cyber security activities. These activities will be used by the college staff to assess whether the young people would be suitable candidates for the National Certificate (NC), HNC or Higher National Diploma (HND) in cyber security.  At the end of the CyberFirst day, all young people will be offered a place on a NC, HNC or HND course at the college.

West College Scotland and a Scottish based charity called Citizens of Cyber will deliver this programme of days.

  • West College Scotland – 6th March 2024, 20 places  
  • West Lothian College  – 4th March 2024, 13 places  
  • Edinburgh College  – 18th March 2024, – 18 spaces  
  • Borders College – 25th March 2024, – 36 spaces  
  • Ayrshire  College – 29th March 2024, – TBC spaces  

To find out more contact Scott.Hunter@educationscotland.gov.scot

Cyberfirst hubs

CyberFirst Hubs

Starting 2024/2025 we have partnered with 

  • West College Scotland.
  • West Lothian College.
  • Abertay University. 

These hubs will provide

  • Regional Computing Science Conference
  • Opportunities for CyberFirst Professional Learning
  • Networking opportunities for teachers to build their networks with Cyber professionals and business
  • Networking opportunities for children and young people to speak to Cyber students and professionals in college, university and industry

Cyberfirst hubs

Courses for Learners

CyberFirst Courses for Learners

The NCSC provide short courses designed to introduce the younger generation to the world of cyber security.  As part of CyberFirst Scotland programme all CyberFirst schools will be trained in deliver a number of these course (Trailblazers for S1, Adventurers for S2 and Advanced for NPA Cyber Security Level 6 learners).  

A CyberFirst teacher from your area will provide the resources and training or staff in your school.  The S1 and S2 courses can be delivered by any teacher after they have received the required training.

To find out more contact Scott.Hunter@educationscotland.gov.scot

Cyberfirst pipeline diagram multicolor on a grey background

DOWNLOAD PDF

CyberFirst Schools Award

CyberFirst Schools Award

The NCSC is formally recognising schools in Scotland, that are committed to providing a structured approach to excellence in cyber security education.

The NCSC has appointed Education Scotland as a regional partner and they will manage the assessment and evaluation of CyberFirst School applications; the growth of the CyberFirst Schools community in the area and help facilitate engagement between industry and schools in the region through events and cyber-related activities.

VIEW CYBERFIRST SCHOOLS AWARD – APPLICATION GUIDANCE 2024_2025

If you would like to find out more about the schools award contact Scott.Hunter@educationscotland.gov.scot 

Why become a CyberFirst School?

As a CyberFirst School you will get access to 

  • Professional learning delivered by the CF Teachers.
  • CyberFirst College Pathway Days for learners in your school. 
  • Funding for staff wanting to become dual qualified in Computing Science as part of the ATQ at UHI’
  • Early registration for National Computing Science conferences in November 2024.
  • access to Tryhackme for school delivering NPA at level 6.
  • CyberFirst merchandise, such as pin badges for all pupil that complete Trailblazers, Adventurers and the Advanced course.
  • Support from a CyberFirst lead teacher with curriculum development, resources and delivery of Trailblazers, Adventurers and the Advanced course. 
  • Learning and teaching resources for BGE and level 3 unit in Cyber Security and Living in a Digital World. 
  • Learning and teaching resources for BGE and level 4 unit in Cyber Fundamentals and internet safety.
  • Opportunities to build your network with Cyber Security business and industry in Scotland.   

Congratulations to our 2023/2024 CyberFirst schools

Gold

Girvan Academy, South Ayrshire

Hyndland Secondary School, Glasgow

Silver

St Margaret Mary’s Secondary,  Glasgow

St Matthew’s Academy, North Ayrshire

St Kentigen’s Academy, West Lothian

Stirling High, Stirling

Linlithgow Academy , West Lothian

St Andrew’s and St Bride’s high School, South Lanarkshire

Bronze

Ayr Academy, South Ayrshire

Belmont Academy, South Ayrshire

Carrick Academy, South Ayrshire

Kyle Academy, South Ayrshire

Marr College, South Ayrshire

Prestwick Academy, South Ayrshire

Uddingtson Grammar, South Lanarkshire

Shawlands Academy, Glasgow

Rosshall Academy, Glasgow

St Andrew’s RC Secondary, Glasgow

Braidhurst High, North Lanarkshire

Queen Margaret Academy, South Ayrshire

Ardrossan Academy, North Ayrshire

Carluke High School, South Lanarkshire