Secondary sciences update – National e-Learning Offer
This blog post provides an update (19 January 2021) in relation to the three aspects of the National e-Learning Offer for senior phase sciences: supported, recorded and live.
For information about resources for early, first and second level science, please visit: Remote learning resources for ELC and primary science and STEM | (glowscotland.org.uk)
Supported resources
Resource spreadsheets for physics, chemistry, biology and human biology are available from our National e-Learning site: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/nationalelearning/resources-2/
These spreadsheets build on all the excellent work that was supported by the sciences networks during the initial period of lockdown. The spreadsheets now contain links to a wide selection of videos, PPTs, calculations, lessons, activities and assessments that have been shared by practitioners. The number of resource links in each spreadsheet are as follows:
- Physics including IoP spreadsheet (1041) and Physics Scholar links (958)
- Chemistry (540) and Chemistry Scholar links (1103)
- Biology (352) and Biology Scholar links (500)
- Human Biology (119) and Human Biology Scholar links (348)
Important guidance: A video is available to demonstrate how the spreadsheets can be used: https://bit.ly/3akKNFC . Please note that you may find it helpful to zoom out to about 80% view to see more rows of the spreadsheet. You also have the option of opening the Excel spreadsheet in the desktop app rather than viewing online. This link to the blog page should be used when pointing people to the spreadsheets: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/nationalelearning/resources-2/ . It is advised not to use the direct URL link to a specific spreadsheet as this may result in a Sharepoint access error message.
The development of the resource spreadsheets has only been possible because of the collaborative and generous way that teachers have shared resources to date. The continuation of this will be crucial in supporting the next phase of developments. Education Scotland has now established teacher groups to further support the curation of resources to fill identified gaps. We would be really grateful if teachers would consider submitting useful resource links to fill gaps in the subject spreadsheets. If you are willing to submit resource links, for either Senior Phase or BGE, then this can be done through our National e-Learning Offer website: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/nationalelearning/suggestions/
An updated version of each sciences blog will be posted each Monday.
Practical science videos
Education Scotland has been working with BBC Bitesize, Napier University, SSERC and other partners to film practical science experiments. The first 30 videos have now been published. A further 20 are being edited and are due to be published by the end of January 2021. We have also developed interactive assessment resources to accompany each of the videos and these will also be going live by the end of January. Further details and links are included in the attachment below. Additional filming of practical science experiments is being planned.
Practical Science Videos Publication Schedule 11Jan21
Recorded
The West Online School, in partnership with ADES, E-Sgoil and Education Scotland, has now recorded over 600 video lessons for a number of curriculum areas, including sciences. These are being made available through the Clickview Platform. To find out more about how you can access these then please visit this page on our National e-Learning blog: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/nationalelearning/westos-access-recorded-materials/
Live lessons – E-Sgoil Lockdown Live
- Daily, live sessions are being hosted on the e-Sgoil website. Monday to Friday at 10 am for P2-P7, 11 am for S1-S3 and 2 pm for S4-S6. No prior sign-up required – simply direct learners to e-sgoil.com at the appropriate time. Further details, including a weekly schedule, past sessions and associated resources, can be found at: http://www.e-sgoil.com/lockdown-live/
- Daytime study support. A range of Advanced Higher, Higher and National 5 courses on offer. This is in addition the 25 courses already available in the early evenings. For further information and to register, young people can access (Pupil Glow account required to register): http://e-sgoil.com/studysupport2020/
- Gaidhlig Bheo. An extensive programme of live lessons for Gaelic Medium and Gaelic Learners – from P2 to S6. Class teachers can view the full schedule and register interest (Teacher Glow account required) at: http://www.e-sgoil.com/gaidhlig-bheo/
e-Sgoil will continue to provide support to schools significantly impacted by Covid-19 (Coronavirus) as its own resources allow. This may, for example, be due to a high number of staff being absent. For further details and to enquire about this emergency provision, please access: http://e-sgoil.com/covidprovision/
Other resources
Additional work to develop the supported, recorded and live elements of the National e-Learning Offer in 2021 is already being planned. Education Scotland is also working in close partnership with the BBC to coordinate with their lockdown learning offer for schools: BBC Scotland – Lockdown Learning
I’d like to conclude by thanking all those who have contributed so generously to the development of the resources listed above. A special thank you too to those teachers who volunteered to be part of our secondary science working groups and curation groups who have continued to do so much behind the scenes.
Ian Menzies
Senior Education Officer
Education Scotland
Updated 10 January 2021
