Assessment in the Sciences Glow Meet and Professional Learning Twilight Sessions

Following the publication of its 3-18 Curriculum Impact Report for Sciences in September 2012, Education Scotland organised a series of conversation days where priorities for action to secure improvements in science education nationally were identified.

Key aspects for development emerged, which included primary and early years practitioners requiring guidance on and exemplifications for assessment in the sciences.

To address this aspect the sciences team will be hosting the second of three Glow Meets, complimented again by a series of professional learning twilight sessions.

The Education Scotland assessment support documentation will be explored, using exemplifications from the NAR, addressing particular science Significant Aspects of Learning.

The second Glow meet Assessment in the Sciences will take place on Tuesday 13th January 3.45-4.30pm

To register: https://meet.glowscotland.org.uk/e7wzsiv2uvs/event/event_info.html

Dates, times and venues for the complimentary twilight sessions to date are:

Dundee, Education Scotland Endeavour House, Monday 26th January 4-6pm

Inverness, Mercure Hotel, Wednesday 28th January  4-6pm                            

Aberdeen, Satrosphere Science Centre, Thursday 29th January 4-6pm

Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth, Monday 2nd February 4-6pm

Glasgow , St Andrew’s Secondary, Thursday 5th February 4-6pm

Dumfries and Borders (tbc)

Please sign up through https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/twilightsessions

Revisit the first Glow meet Supporting Primary & Early Years Science

Advanced Higher Biology resources

Advanced Higher Biology learning and teaching resources for Unit 1 and Unit 3 have been added to the Education Scotland website at http://bit.ly/1yY12Qz

These resources contain activities, tutorials and powerpoints to support the delivery of Revised and CfE Advanced Highers. Unit 2 to follow soon.

Primary Leadership Conferences – new footage on website

Two videos from our recent primary leadership conferences have been added to the Education Scotland ​website.

The first features headteacher James Wylie talking about his approach to structuring the P5-7 curriculum which is based on a faculty model.

In the second, headteacher Lindsey Watt describes the steps she has taken to ensure that the children in her school are helped to succeed and have the best possible chances in life.​

​The footage can be found here​.

Creative Change Pilot Project – January to June 2015

Call to educators: Is there an issue you would like to address in order to make a change that will improve outcomes for learners?

Scotland’s Creative Learning Partnership is offering you a unique opportunity to help you address a challenging issue and make a transformative change.  Issues and changes can be at any scale – from classroom-based to whole establishment/learning community.  This invitation is open to individuals from all education sectors so there is potential for cross-sectoral partnership working.

We will help you explore your issue by matching you up with a creative catalyst who will work with you, using creative approaches and coaching techniques, to help you plan and implement your change.

You are invited to register your interest with us by answering these questions:
•    What is the issue you would like to address?
•    What is the change you would like to make?
•    What is the impact you would like this change to have on learners?

On receipt of expressions of interest, we will select a number of projects to go forwards to the next stage. If selected, you will be invited to attend an event in Glasgow on 22nd January at which you will be asked to share your issue with a range of creative practitioners, who will, in turn, have the opportunity to present examples of their experiences of working in educational settings to you.

This pilot project will run from January through to June 2015, with the engagement element taking place from February to May in the form of tailor made support, whereby creative practitioners will be matched with education challenges at and following the January event. You will be expected to document your learning and experiences as your project progresses using film, voice recordings, visuals etc. and will be invited to participate in a final event to share your learning as part of the Emporium of Dangerous Ideas, June 2015.

Please register your interest by Wednesday 14 January, by emailing your response to the three questions above to:

Karen Lawson, Advisor, College Development Network: karen.lawson@collegedevelopmentnetwork.ac.uk (colleges)
or
Julia Fenby, Education Officer – Creativity, Education Scotland: julia.fenby@educationscotland.gsi.gov.uk (early years; schools; community learning)