Category Archives: Assessment

Assessment, BtC5, CfE, CLD, MCMC/16+LC, Senior Phase, Young people, children & families

Get to Know the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Scotland Seminar

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Wednesday 14 November 2012

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is holding a seminar on Wednesday 14 November from 5pm to 7pm at their offices at Rosebery House in Edinburgh. The aim of this seminar is to:

  • Provide an overview of the charities structure and work;
  • List current partner organisations that are delivering DofE;
  • Provide an overview of the DofE programme and it’s uses in different settings;
  • Look at how the DofE is delivering on local and national outcomes;
  • Look at opportunities to deliver the DofE as a licensed organisation.

This FREE event is aimed at anyone with an interest in delivering the DofE whether that be a practitioner, manager or volunteer.

Contact: Sarah Hayden at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, phone: 0131 343 0920  e-mail

BtC5, CfE, CLD, Early Years, Responsibility of All

Skills in Practice

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Education Scotland has recently published a practical guide to support the development of the key messages surrounding Building the Curriculum 4: Skills for Learning, Life and Work. It will provide teachers and other practitioners with support to help them ensure that skills development is an integral part of learning throughout the Broad General Education stage of Curriculum for Excellence.

 

Highlights include:

  • Examples of innovative practice from a variety of educational establishments
  • Short film clips providing practitioner, employer, parent and learner perspectives on skills
  • Downloadable CPD activities to support practitioners to reflect and develop their practice
  • A focus on developing thinking skills with activities and film insights with Keir Bloomer (Chair of the Higher Order Skills Excellence Group)
  • Activities exploring planning and progression in skills through the Experiences and Outcomes
  • Links to a range of GLOW resources including Watch Again GLOW Meets

 

Find the Skills in Practice resource here on the Education Scotland website:

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/resources/s/skillsinpractice/introduction.asp?strReferringChannel=educationscotland&strReferringPageID=tcm:4-615801-64

Assessment, CfE, CLD, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Schools IT Excellence Group set up

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The Scottish Government has announced that Education Secretary Michael Russell has appointed the Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Muffy Calder to convene an ICT Excellence Group to consider the future development of the schools’ intranet ‘Glow’.

 The new ICT Excellence Group will draw on the experience and expertise of end-users, and educational technology experts to scope the long-term user-centred future of Glow.

 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Michael Russell said:

 “It is crucial that the next generation of Glow allows schools to harness the power of technology for learning, to keep pace with rapidly evolving developments and speak the language that young people speak online.

 “Professor Calder’s group will have the challenge of imagining a future for the service that can be customised to the individual requirements of our young people, is dynamic and can remain relevant for years to come. I look forward to receiving their advice later this year.”

 The group members are now announced as follows: Prof Muffy Calder, Prof Ian Sommerville, Prof Mike Sharples, Mr Ewan McIntosh, Mr Charlie Love, Prof Bill Buchanan, Mr Hamish Budge, Prof Jeff Haywood, Mr Neil Winton, Mr Tony Rafferty, Mr Fraser Speirs, Ms Jaye Richards Hill and Mr Martin Dewar who will facilitate the involvement of two school pupils in the group.

See announcement on Engage for Education.

Assessment, BtC5, Moderation, Profiles, Profiling

EA Assessment Forum

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Education Authority Assessment Coordinators gathered yesterday for the EA Assessment Forum in the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.  A range of presentations and workshops generated discussion, as the experience and insight of Assessment Coordinators from across the country was shared.  Presentations from the event can be found on the National Assessment Glow Group.

Assessment, CfE, CLD, Early Years, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Research, Responsibility of All, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Cabinet Secretary announces positive future for Glow

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Mr Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, made an announcement today on the immediate and long-term future of Glow. 

You can read full details of Mr Russell’s announcement on Engage for Education.

BtC5, CfE, CLD, Young people, children & families

Dynamic Youth Awards now credit rated on the SCQF by SQA

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 Dynamic Youth Awards provide a peer-assessed approach to recognising non-formal learning for young people aged 10 – 14.

The Awards recognise young people’s involvement in any activity that they choose to participate in, and have included helping out at youth groups, peer education initiatives, buddying schemes and community arts projects.

Dynamic Youth Awards are now credit rated on the SCQF at Level 3, which is comparable to Foundation Standard Grade or the new Access 3 Qualification. Dynamic Youth Awards range from a One Star Award to a Five Star Award. Each of these star ratings have different amounts of credit points attached to them, to allow recognition of the amount of learning required of the young person to achieve each award.For more information about Dynamic Youth Awards credit points, click here. 

The additional currency that SCQF credit rating brings will also support the use of Dynamic Youth Awards to recognise, profile and report on achievement, delivering a key priority of Curriculum for Excellence.

Steven Greig, Youth Scotland Youth Work Manager said:

“Young people have gained Dynamic Youth Awards for their involvement in a range of fantastic projects that support their learning. The fact that the Awards are now SCQF credit rated by SQA adds currency to the high standard of delivery from Award Group Workers, as well as paying testament to the achievements of young people themselves. We are delighted that young people will now be able to see directly how their Dynamic Youth Awards compare with more formal qualifications, such as those gained at school.”

Shanagh, a young person from Perth and Kinross Youth Council said:

“At last! After doing so many of these awards myself, it’s great to see they are getting the formal recognition that young people deserve.”

The process of credit rating the Awards has involved an ongoing partnership between Youth Scotland, SQA and the Award Groups currently delivering the Awards. Youth Scotland is also grateful to Craig Green, Information and Learning Services Manager at John Wheatley College, for his partnership support in developing the Award’s learning outcomes.

Assessment, CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Mathematics, Moderation, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Technologies

Sharing learning and teaching ideas for early to second level

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Participating in in-service today provided an opportunity to talk with practitioners around learning and teaching in science and share some of the ways in which Education  Scotland can provide support. Issues explored included assessment and moderation, a shared understanding of standards, progression, meeting the needs of learners, transitions, using effective partnerships and keeping the curriculum alive and relevant to inspire young learners.

The following were used to exemplify support for practitioners:

STEM Central

Weather and Climate Change

Exploring Climate Change

Marks on the Landscape

Glow TV

Education Scotland Learning blog – sharing by the Development Officers in Education Scotland

STEM Central in Motion blog – sharing by practitioners and partners

Food for Thought leaflet and poster – we will shortly be developing the new Food Security context for STEM Central

STEM Central Learning Journeys from the Sound context, early years and first level due for publication later this month, and the draft second level journeys due for publication within the next few months

Journey to Excellence

NAR (National Assessment Resource)

and

Glow Science

Practitioners shared resources they also find useful such as Planet Science , I’m a Scientist, get me out of here and I’m an Engineer, get me out of here.

Assessment, CfE

Learning Stories – An Education Scotland Identified Good Practice Event

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Join us in Glow Tv on Wednesday 30th May for an exciting insight into a new way of reporting in a school. In Ormiston Primary School every child has a journal called a Learning Story containing photographs, video links and comments from parents, children and teaching staff. These Learning Stories have become integral to the life of learning at Ormiston Primary School and have replaced the end of term report card.

These colourful and detailed books help children to share purposefully their learning with their families and helps to give the families more depth of knowledge of how they can support their child at home. They also give the school the opportunity to find out what children are learning at home which forms a rich picture of all the achievements for each child.

During this Glow Meet headteacher Helen Gardyne and her pupils will share their journey of development with their Learning Stories and this will hopefully inspire you on your own journey and to reflect on the nature of reporting on children’s learning.

Sign up and join us in Glow TV for this inspiring CPD opportunity.

Assessment, CfE, Moderation

Moderation in Practice – What does it mean to you?

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Join us on Tuesday 29th May at 4pm in Glow TV to find out more about what moderation can mean to you. A number of personnel from local authorities and Education Scotland will take part in an open discussion around ‘participating in moderation activities – the opportunities and challenges it presents’

During this session practitioners from across the country will share their experiences of moderation in practice. There will be practitioners from all sectors participating in this event, relating their experiences: within their own establishment or sector, across different sectors and in particular at key points of transition.

Practitioners who have participated in the Quality Assurance and Moderation exemplars on the NAR will relate their experiences. The Quality Assurance and Moderation Team in Education Scotland will give an update on work being developed at present to support the moderation process.

Sign up and join us in Glow TV.

Assessment, NAR

Innovative Approaches to QA and Moderation

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Education Scotland has been working with a range of practitioners on developing innovative approaches to Quality Assurance and Moderation processes.  These projects covered practice in the early years, primary, and secondary sectors across a range of subjects, with partners and through transitions.  All projects are submitted to a national quality assurance and moderation group (NQAG).

 To access the materials log on to NAR and copy and paste the URL below.

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

Further case studies demonstrating innovative approaches to moderation both within and across authorities will be published at the end of June 2012.

Assessment, Senior Phase

Building the Curriculum 4: Moving into the senior phase

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Building the Curriculum 4: Moving into the Senior Phase. How Skills for learning, life and work develop within qualifications

Wednesday 18th April 2012 @ 16:00 on GlowTV

This Glow Meet is appropriate for all practitioners in secondary schools, and a recording of the session will be made available shortly after the event for practitioners in colleges and community based settings

Building the Curriculum 4 supports the planning, design and delivery of the curriculum in early years’ establishments, schools and colleges. It sets out skills for learning, life and work showing the importance of developing them for all Scotland’s learners.

How can we build on skills learners have from their broad general education when they move into the senior phase? Should they be ‘naturally occurring’ or are they too important to leave to chance? During the session we will discuss how they feature in the new National qualifications, think about how they are/might be incorporated in subject areas to develop what learners need for their life now and in the future.

A key aim of this Glow Meet will be to promote discussion and to inspire practitioners to explore different approaches to skills development in the senior phase. Participants will have a key role in this session – to share enthusiasm, ideas and practice.

To sign up for the Glow TV Event click here (Glow log in required)

To read Buliding the Curriculum 4 click here.

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Here’s the recording of the Glow Meet…

…and you can click here to get the PowerPoint which was used.

Adult Learning, Assessment, CfE, Early Years, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, National Qualifications, Research, Responsibility of All, Senior Phase

Literacy in Action

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Literacy in Action: Supporting Colleges to Influence Early Years Practice

 The Literacy in Action: Supporting Colleges to Influence Early Years Practice Conference took place at Stirling Management Centre on Saturday 25 February 2012. This event was organised by Education Scotland to give Further Education lecturers an opportunity to hear about the Scottish Government’s Literacy Action Plan.

 View video of the keynote speakers here.

Enjoy!

Assessment, NAR, Profiles, Profiling

S3 Profiling and Profiles

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Schools and local authorities are working with the Assessment Team on continuing to develop profiling 3-18.  In particular, 18 schools from across the country are going to be working on developing approaches to S3 profiling and profiles.  In June, at the end of this supported development, materials will be published on NAR.  Presentations made at the start of this development can be found on the National Assessment Glow Group.

Assessment, NAR

NAR Familiarisation CPD Package for Workshop Facilitators

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Material to support the facilitation of a NAR Familiarisation CPD can be found HERE.

The material comprises: Facilitator Notes; Worksheet; and PowerPoint.  It is designed for a hands-on session of around an hour and twenty minutes, and seeks to introduce colleagues to the NAR user interface, and to allow participants to explore ways in which NAR can support their practice.

Work is on-going on a second session which introduces additional features, such as the upload facility.

The documents are in Word and PowerPoint format to allow facilitators to customise the material to meet the needs of their group.  The PowerPoint has been saved in compatability mode in order to allow the widest possible access to this material.

Assessment, CfE, Early Years

Glow Meet – Employability Skills in the Early Years

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We would like to say a big thank  you to all who tuned in to our Glow Meet yesterday it was one of the most successful Glow Meets we have ever had, with all attendees sharing their enthusiastic comments and questions, particularly in relation to assessment and tracking. Also thank you to Lorraine Munro from Dens Road Primary School in Dundee who shared her expertise in the early years.

Due to the success of this Glow Meet we are really keen to organise another to follow on from yesterday’s discussion so watch this space!

In the mean time, to continue the discussion and share your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and questions click here and join our discussion forum.

To Watch Again Click Here

We look forward to hearing from you.

Assessment, Expressive Arts, Literacy and English, Moderation, Modern Languages, NAR, National Qualifications, Profiling, Religious and Moral Education, RME, Sciences, Technologies

CfE & Glow News – February Issue

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The CfE and Glow News update provides you with information about Curriculum for Excellence and support for practitioners, along with all the latest developments within Glow. Read it here.

To sign up for this newsletter, please click here.

Assessment, BtC5, Moderation, NAR, Profiling, Religious and Moral Education, Religious Education in Roman Catholic schools, RME

Planning for Learning, Teaching and Assessment in RME

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A new resource has been developed to support practitioners in planning for effective learning, teaching and assessment in RME. This resource takes you through the process of unpacking the Es and Os to gathering evidence. There are tasks for staff to undertake and help develop your thinking. There is also an interactive powerpoint presentation and templates for you to use. The resource can be found by clicking here.

NAR, Social studies, Technologies

S2 Business & Enterprise

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On Wednesday (08/02/12) I had the opportunity to visit Claire Grubb a Business Education teacher from Kincorth Academy in Aberdeen. Claire described how they have re-written their second year Business and Enterprise Course using the Technologies and Social Studies Experiences and Outcomes. She also describes how they assessed the learning.

To find out more about my visit view the video of Claire on the Chalkface Blog.

NAR, Technologies

Designing a Design & Technology Curriculum

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Yesterday (o8/02/2012) I had the opportunity to visit Kirsty McFaul, the Principal Teacher of Design and Technology at Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen. During this visit Kirsty described how they redesigned their S1-3 curriculum for  Design and Technology using the Technologies Experiences and Outcomes. One aspect of the course included an interdisciplinary project which involved the Maths and Art Departments. Kirsty also discussed how they used the National Assessment Resource (NAR) to help move towards a more formative assessment approach.

To find out more about this visit, watch the video on the Chalkface Blog.

Adult Learning, Assessment, CfE, CLD, MCMC/16+LC, National Qualifications, Senior Phase, Supporting Learners, Young people, children & families

Launch of new edition of Amazing Things supports youth employment agenda

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As Scotland’s youth unemployment figures continue to rise, a new edition of flagship publication Amazing Things highlights the range of opportunities available for young people through Scotland’s youth awards.

 The third edition of Amazing Things – a guide to the youth awards in Scotland, has been produced by the Awards Network, a forum of twenty-one providers of non-formal learning awards across Scotland.The Awards Network was established by Youth Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s Volunteer Action Plan.

Amazing Things (Third edition) and the work of the Awards Network is in alignment with the Scottish Government’s strategy to tackle the national challenges of youth unemployment. Both recognise the significant role youth work has to play in supporting young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

As well as providing an index of the awards available for young people aged 12 – 25, the publication celebrates the significant voluntary contributions that young people are already making in their own communities. It makes a clear link between use of the youth awards and an increase in young people’s ‘soft’ skills and employability levels.

A key publication for youth work organisations, schools, colleges, universities, and employers, Amazing Things (Third edition), is available to download for free here.

Assessment, Moderation, Modern Languages, NAR, National Qualifications, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

CfE & Glow News e-update – January

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The CfE and Glow News e-update provides you with updates on Curriculum for Excellence and support for practitioners, along with all the latest developments within Glow.

Click here to view the newsletter or click on the links below.

Read the January issue to find out about the following:

Assessment, BtC5, NAR, Profiling

New Case Studies Published on NAR

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Education Scotland has worked with a range of establishments to publish new case studies on the National Assessment Resource (NAR). These case studies focus on the process of recognising achievement, profiling and reporting.

All of Scotland’s local authorities were involved in developing these materials, which reflect the local flexibility that schools and local authorities have in developing their processes, in line with the guidance provided by Building the Curriculum 5. The materials cover the early years, primary, secondary and ASN sectors and all have been through a national quality assurance and moderation process.

Support materials are available to help practitioners find their way around NAR and include videos of teachers and headteachers talking about their experiences of NAR, step-by-step video guides on how to get the most from using NAR, and a downloadable User manual and poster.

On NAR, and on the Education Scotland website, you will find information on assessment, quality assurance and moderation, all of which are integral to planning learning and teaching.

You can access these new case studies by focus by selecting ‘Aspects of Assessment’ under ‘Browse’ within NAR. You will need to login to NAR with your Glow login or through SQA Connect.

Assessment, BtC5, CfE, CLD, Moderation, NAR, National Qualifications, Profiles, Profiling, Senior Phase, Young people, children & families

Award in Volunteering Skills

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The Award in Volunteering Skills at SCQF Levels 3, 4 and 5 provides formal recognition of volunteering activity. Through participation in volunteering activities, candidates will develop a range of skills and personal development experiences which will help to prepare them for responsibility, further education and employment.

Candidates learn about the context of volunteering; plan a volunteering placement; review and reflect on their own skills and volunteering experience; and complete an investigative project.

More information is available here.

Assessment, Moderation, NAR

Using NAR to Support Local Moderation

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The National Assessment Resource contains a variety of support materials, one of which supports local moderation: Using NAR to Support Local Moderation: Planning for Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Local Moderation.

This support material is designed to aid practitioners in the process of local moderation, from the initial planning of the learning—through to evaluating the learning and the learner. 

This document is available for download from the National Assessment Resource homepage.

Assessment, NAR

NAR 3B Development Event (2)

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Participants in NAR 3B met together yesterday at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.  There were a range of presentations and workshops related to the theme of leading and managing change.  A good number of participants managed to brave the elements to attend this event, the material for which is on the National Assessment Glow Site.

Assessment, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Advice and guidance on new National Qualifications

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http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/nationalqualifications/nqframework/newqualifications/index.asp?dm_i=LQE,MDNO,3GU5HR,1T9Y1,1

Education Scotland is developing advice and guidance for practitioners on the delivery of courses within the new National Qualifications (NQ) framework. A new advice and guidance area within the NQ Support webpages is available, giving further information and linking to a new advice and guidance factfile and an online survey (http://newsletters-ltscotland.org.uk/LQE-MDNO-3GU5HR-8LLGF-1/c.aspx). As part of the ongoing development work associated with new National Qualifications, Education Scotland consulted key partners to determine the type and nature of supplementary guidance which should be developed to support the new NQs. The webpages explain the support that is currently in development and the form that this will take. This advice and guidance will be published in the spring.

Adult Learning, Assessment, CfE, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Supporting Learners, Technologies

New Qualifications – November Update

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http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47993.html

 More detail about how each new National 5 Course will be assessed is now available. Draft Course Assessment Specifications for National 5 have been published on the SQA website and define the mandatory assessment requirements for Courses at National 5.

The purpose of the Course Assessment Specification is to ensure consistent and transparent assessment year on year. It describes the structure of the Course assessment and the mandatory skills, knowledge and understanding that will be assessed.

 Find out more about the qualifications development stages.

 Draft Unit Specifications have also been published for new Higher Courses. 

Feedback on these documents can be given via Have Your Say until 31 January 2012. The final versions of all SQA draft documents will be published in April 2012.

Assessment, Expressive Arts, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Literacy and English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, National Qualifications, Religious and Moral Education, RME, Sciences, Social studies, Technologies

Curriculum Area Events on Glow TV

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SQA, in partnership with Education Scotland, are holding a series of curriculum area events to discuss the new national qualifications and give practical support on their implementation. The events are also an opportunity for practitioners to give their views on the new qualifications. Places have been allocated to local authorities and their schools, independent schools and colleges. The events are part of a range of support to help local authorities and individual centres prepare for implementing the new qualifications.

The events will take place on 29 November, and 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13 December. Each event will be streamed live on Glow via the SQA Glow Group.  Most events and workshops will be shown live and recorded for watching again later.

A number of resources will be available following each event, including opportunities to hear some of the discussions from the day.

Assessment, Moderation, NAR

National Quality Assurance Group Training

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The Assessment Team have been working to prepare for a National Quality Assurance Group (NQAG) training event tomorrow.  NQAG members comprise practitioners from all Scottish Government sectors and representatives from education authorities, the college sector, higher education, Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.  The NQAG quality assure material before it is published to the National Assessment Resource (NAR).  A quality mark is added to materials that NQAG identify as particularly strong examples.

Assessment, NAR

NAR 3B Development Work

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The National Assessment Resource continues to be developed by teachers and practitioners.  The Education Scotland Assessment Team are preparing to work with nominated participants from local authorities throughout Scotland in phase 3B of NAR development work.  This phase of NAR exemplification is focused on assessment for larger groups of learners–within a whole class, school, and across associated school groups.  Support material which is being used at the first NAR 3B event can be found on the National Assessment Glow Group.

Assessment, NAR

NAR Familiarisation Events

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The Assessment Team have been running regional National Assessment Resource (NAR) Familiarisation events.  These engagements have provided a practical opportunity to learn together how to perform a variety of online tasks within NAR.  The sessions have also explored how NAR can be used as a CPD resource to develop: an understanding of sound assessment practice; a shared understanding of standards and expectations;  the capacity to make sound judgements which can be consistently applied.  Material from NAR Familiarisation events can be found in the National Assessment Glow Group.

Assessment, BtC5, Moderation

Falkirk Council – Agreeing Standards INSET

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Falkirk Council have uploaded moderation CPD material from a recent INSET to the National Assessment Glow Group.  The Primary and Secondary material contains a short introductory interview with Carol Paton, Curriculum Support Officer at Falkirk Council: http://glo.li/uMUqCX

Assessment, Moderation, Modern Languages

Success Criteria for reading, writing and listening and talking at 2nd and 3rd levels

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I was at a moderation meeting in East Dunbartonshire last week.  Practitioners there have been doing lots of work on looking at the Es and Os at 2nd and 3rd level and have been considering success criteria that demonstrate learners’ progression through each level.  I thought that what they have produced  might be interesting  to help other teachers develop their shared understanding of the Es and Os.  I’ve posted them in the Emerging CfE Practice section in the assessment and moderation documents store.  Let me know if you find them helpful.  Many thanks to C Edwardson of Kirkintilloch High School for sharing her materials.  To access please click here (you will need your Glow password)

Assessment, Modern Languages, NAR

CPD Session with practitioners in Aberdeen

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I was lucky enough to be invited to Harlaw Academy in Aberdeen City this week to discuss a coherent and collegiate approach to planning assessment, curriculum and learning and teaching.  Every Modern Languages Department in the city is currently planing their own “mini NAR” assessment project and it was my priviledge to be able to share my experience of undertaking a NAR project and discuss how we used the NAR in my own department as a valuable tool for CPD.  It was wonderful to see how many practitioners from City and Shire, state and private sectors, were willing to give up their own time to attend this twilight session and take part in very fertile professional dialogue.  I’ve posted the presentation slides and the evidence folders on the National Modern Languages Glow Group in the CfE Emerging Practice Section.  To access the presentation please click here

Assessment, Expressive Arts, Languages, Mathematics, National Qualifications, RME, Sciences, Senior Phase, Social studies, Technologies

SQA Update for New National Qualifications

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http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47667.html

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has a number of resources to support teachers and practitioners to help them understand the changes to Scotland’s national qualifications. Read more in this update.

Assessment, Technologies

SLF 2011: Technologies: Curriculum for Excellence: Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Making the Connections: Part 2

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During the Technologies Seminar at the Scottish Learning Festival 2011, Debbie Kennedy and Marisa Anderson from St. Kentigern’s Academy in West Lothian delivered an interesting presentation describing how the Business Education and Computing departments in their school have collaborated together to create an interdisciplinary course for S1 called Informatics.

You can view the presentation here. (Glow log in required)

Assessment, Literacy, Social studies, Technologies

SLF 2011: Technologies: Curriculum for Excellence: Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Making the Connections

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During the Technologies Seminar at the Scottish Learning Festival 2011, Claire Kane and Carla Watson from St. Nicholas RC Primary in West Lothian, joined by their pupils Olivia, Anna, Ewan and Jack presented an interesting and inspiring account of how Technologies for Learning were embedded in their Social Enterprise Project – Food for Thought Community Cafe.

You can view the presentation here. (Glow log in required)

You can also follow the project on Twitter @fftcc or visit their blog.

Additional Support for Learning, Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, National Qualifications, Responsibility of All, Sciences, Senior Phase, Supporting Learners, Technologies

Curriculum for Excellence Action Plan – details announced at #SLF11

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This Scottish Government Action Plan details the priorities for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence for 2011-2012. Details of the plan were announced in the keynote speech by Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, at the Scottish Learning Festival on 21 September, 2011.
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/resources/c/cfeactionplan2011.asp

Assessment, Health and wellbeing, Health and wellbeing, Literacy, Responsibility of All, Sciences

#SLF11 Planning for…CfE in Sciences!

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George Eliot is quoted as saying “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together”. The great things showcased in an #SLF11 seminar “Learning, Teaching & Assessment – Making the Connections” by inspiring practitioners and learners from the Bearsden Academy cluster started with small things.  The cluster comprises Bearsden Primary, Baljaffray Primary, Castlehill Primary , Mosshead Primary and Beasden Academy. The small steps? Practitioners within the cluster talking together about transitions, about improving literacy in science. The end result? The wordle shows all that this piece of cluster work encompassed. And the impact? The learners shared with delegates the impact on their wellbeing resulting from understanding more about secondary science, more about expectations of learning in secondary and having already been welcomed into the school community. Evidence of how assessment within sciences truly can enhance learning and teaching.

Assessment, Literacy, National Qualifications, Sciences

#SLF11 Learning, Teaching & Assessment in Sciences – Making the Connections

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Joanna McGillivray, Head of Science and Computing at Forth Valley College shared with delegates at #SLF11 on Thursday a number of exciting and innovative programmes of work which the college offers, in partnership with schools in a number of local authorities, employers and industry. Learners studying for the Science Baccalaureate have celebrated tremendous success; delegates were able to view work produced by learners as part of the interdisciplinay project element of the Bacc. The value of connecting learning, teaching and assessment to real world applications to support learners in making the transition to sustainable post school destinations, whether FE, HE, further training or employment cannot be underestimated. Read about learners’ opportunities to find out about effective science communication within the Bacc programme and see the Journey to Excellence website to hear from staff and students, the benefits of “hands on” education.

Assessment, National Qualifications, Sciences, Senior Phase

Supporting AH Physics

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Development Officers for Sciences, Nicola Nielsen and Lauren Boath, and Development Officers for Support for National Qualifications, Therea McIntosh and Andrew Dingwall, worked with partners, practitioners and researchers yesterday to start the ball rolling on what Education Scotland’s support resources for the refreshed AH Physics will look like. We were hosted by SSERC, whose contribution to the organisation and smooth running of the day was very much appreciated; and the practical work with Gregor Steele left all excited, inspired, and fired up. John Sharkey, SQA, set the scene of where we are in terms of development towards the AH which can be taken up by early adopters for academic year 2012/13. Practitioners were joined by researchers, and the IOP, for sharing ideas about supporting practitioners in AH Physics.

Assessment, Technologies

Using Glow/Technologies to Support Learning, Teaching and Assessment

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Today I had the pleasure of visiting Bridgend Primary, in West Lothian to find how they used Glow and other Technologies last session in their Primary 6/7 class. Glow was used in a number of ways to support learning and teaching within various areas such as; linking with a school in Orkney, a Class Election (involving cluster schools) and topic work.

Luckily you also have the chance to find out about what they have been doing at Bridgend Primary, as they are presenting at the Education Showcase on Thursday 22nd September at 2pm at the Scottish Learning Festival.  Their presentation is called Using Glow/Technologies to Support Learning, Teaching and Assessment. You do not have to sign up to this presentation, so pop along and find out what Bridgend Primary have been up to.

You can also find out about some of their projects by visiting the West Lothian, Sharing our Learning Blog.

Assessment, Literacy, Mathematics, Sciences, Technologies

STEM Central – new contexts on the way

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Development Officers for Sciences and Technologies, along with the team at ES, are working on a new context which will soon be added to the STEM Central resource. The Bioengineering context will feature learning journeys for sciences and technologies, based on third and fourth level E&Os, including learning, teaching and assessment ideas. Stop by STEM Central for quality assured resources, bringing relevant, engaging and exciting Scottish contexts into the classroom.

Assessment

Self-evaluation in the context of CfE

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8th September – Early Years and Primary: 2.00 – 3.30
                                       Secondary: 4.15 – 5.45

You may be interested in joining this Glow Meet with Kenneth Muir, HM Chief Inspector of Education from Education Scotland to find out more about this topic. He will present on three key areas under the theme of self-evaluation that will help to support the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence. The three areas are:

• Self-evaluation questions to support implementation
• Self-evaluation within the new inspection model
• Inspection advice note (Aug 2011) – further guidance on the implementation of progress with Curriculum for Excellence.

The main focus of Kenneth’s input will be to provide practical advice on the role of self-evaluation in implementing Curriculum for Excellence. He will also set out the expectations of HM Inspectors which are based firmly on the national implementation timetable and expectations endorsed by the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board. There will be a number of opportunities for discussion both during Kenneth’s presentation and following it. 

This Glow Meet CPD opportunity will be relevant for all of those interesting in exploring the topic of self-evaluation. There will be two sessions on 8 Sept:

Early Years and Primary: 2.00 – 3.30
Secondary: 4.15 – 5.45

To sign up for this Glow Meet visit the Glow group here: http://glo.li/pcN5lC

If you would be interested in attending this event in person at Optima in Glasgow there are a small number of places available which you can request once in the Self-evaluation Glow group.

We will inform anyone who has secured a place at the ‘live’ session in Optima, otherwise we look forward to seeing you in Glow Meet from 2.30 to 3.30 or 4.15 to 5.15 on the 8th September.

Assessment, Literacy and Gàidhlig

Choinneamhan / GaelMeets

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Gus comharrachadh gu bheil coimhearsnachd leasachadh leantaineach proifeiseanta, Dachaidh, ga chur air bhog, tha sgioba na Gàidhlig aig Foghlam Alba toilichte innse gu bheil sreath de choinneamhan air-loidhne gu bhith air an cumail.

Bithear a’ beachdachadh air iomadach cuspair a bhiodh inntinneach do luchd-teagaisg anns an fharsaingeachd agus chan ann do luchd-teagaisg na Gàidhlig a-mhàin. Bidh cuid dhe na seiseanan air an lìbhrigeadh tro mheadhan na Beurla, cuid tro mheadan na Gàidhlig agus feadhainn eile le measgachadh dhen dà chànan.

Bidh Coinneamh 1 a’ dèiligeadh le Measadh. Bidh a’ choinneamh seo ann am Beurla agus bidh Maureen Martin bho Foghlam Alba a’ toirt an fhiosrachaidh a th’ aice fhèin air a’ chuspair. Bidh a h-uile gin dhe na coinneamhan ann an Gàidhlig air Dachaigh air an stiùireadh le Gillebrìde Mac ’IlleMhaoil.

Gus a dhol an sàs ann an Dachaigh, theirig gu http://bit.ly/dachaigh . Gus clàrachadh airson Coinneamh 1, theirig gu http://bit.ly/gaelmeet1  agus coimhead airson a’ bhutain airson clàrachadh.

To celebrate the launch of its online CPD community, Dachaigh, the Gaelic team in Education Scotland are pleased to announce the start of a series of online CPD seminars, GaelMeets.

These will tackle a number of topics of interest to many, not just Gaelic, educators. Some of the sessions will be Gaelic, some in English and some a bit of both!

GaelMeet 1 is the first of three on assessment. This GaelMeet will be in English and features Lorraine Facchini of Education Scotland. All of the GaelMeets will be facilitated by Gillebride MacIllemhaoil, the facilitator for the Gaelic Education CPD community  on Glow, Dachaigh

To join Dachaigh, visit this link http://bit.ly/dachaigh.  To sign up for GaelMeet 1, visit this link http://bit.ly/gaelmeet1  and look for the enrol button.

Assessment, Mathematics

The Numeracy Team

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The Numeracy team are currently very busy preparing CPD programmes for the new academic session.

Team members have been involved over the last week in providing CPD on Active Learning in Numeracy for 40 practitioners in North Ayrshire Council.

The team are also involved in Outdoor Learning, Financial Education and facilitating the NAR.