Prior to joining the team, I taught Geography and Computing Studies for more than 20 years, was seconded to the Faculty of Education, Strathclyde University, to help with staff development in IT (or computers as we called them then) and was training manager for a CPD company specialising in the delivery of online CPD in ICT.

My ‘baby’ in the team is the CPDScotland project, which aims to promote online tools in the management and delivery of CPD. You can find out more on this blog post  CPDScotland project links

You can get me on c.morris@ltscotland.org.uk and most days on Twitter where I go by my alter ego @cpdscotsman

My name is Catriona Oates and I am the most recent member of the national CPD team. My background is in languages teaching, both primary and secondary, and in staff development. I have worked for the past 13 years  as MLPS (Modern Languages in the Primary) staff tutor for Stirling Council. I still work in Stirling schools – mainly coaching and supporting primary teachers to deliver the languages curriculum. I’ve also worked at national level supporting languages teachers in their professional development with Scottish CILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages.

I am particularily interested in innovative approaches to CPD including the use of technology, and  in the role of CPD in making the Professional Review and Development process more meaningful for teachers. I am currently undertaking  Masters of Education degree at Strathclyde University.

The season kicks off with the subject of professional learning communities. Fearghal Kelly will talk about “Subject learning communities” which is East Lothian’s take on professional collaboration.  You can register for Fearghal’s CPDMeet on Glow

You can’t find out more about the CPDMeet programme here.

Friday 3rd September 2010

If you haven’t yet booked up for this year’s annual conference, then don’t delay. The theme is how we can think differently to achieve success for Curriculum for Excellence, and the reflections will be aided by a wide range of speakers such as Keith Brown, Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, Jim Scott, headteacher of Perth High School, Detective Inspector Linda Borland of the Violence Reduction Unit, Irene Whitford a teacher from Kirkliston Primary school and many more.

Places at £80 each can be reserved by contacting Ruth on 0131 474 9360 or ruth@cosla.gov.uk

Attached you will find the final report which includes a brief commentary from the CPD team on issues raised.

Many of you will have already seen this report when it was discussed at a recent Network meeting. As always we would be happy to hear any comments you may have.

Leadership survey Final

• based around the imaginative facilitation and promotion of CPDStepin
• approximately 20 days in duration
• on a call-off basis between start of term and March 2011.

The work will include:

• arranging a series of CPDMeets
• identifying and posting other CPD opportunities
• making links with other CPD communities such as CPDCentral and CPDLead

Tenderers are strongly encouraged to suggest other imaginative ways of building collegiality among this group of colleagues. Please email Ruth ruth@cosla.gov.uk with:

• a brief proposal on how you would promote and facilitate CPDStepin
• a brief outline of your own expertise in this area
• an indication of your daily rate

The deadline for receipt of tenders is 24^th August 2010 at midday.

There are five Is you can share with colleagues in your CPD community: Issue, Idea, Intention, Insight and Interesting practice.

 Wherever you see this symbol, you can upload one of your own.

  Wherever you see this symbol, you can see what others have shared.

You can also I-share across more than one CPD community. Using the I-share form is pretty straightforward. Watch this tutorial video clip if you need more help.

There will be 3 outputs of this work.

1. An online community to share resources, host discussion points and help with evaluation of impact
2. A series of CPDMeets (live video streaming from the event). These will feature sessions led by Mick Waters, David Hopkins and David Mongon.  
3. A series of CPDShorts. These will recordings of the CPDMeets with appropriate reflection / discussion points

Please feel free to express an interest in this unique event on Glowand you will be contacted with more details shortly. 

• More details on the CPDFind opportunity – The Summer School on Glow
• You can see highlights from the previous 3 Summer Schools on the Summer School website