As ever, Matthew shared some lively and provocative thinking about how we address the current “Conceptual Emergency”. In doing so he took us on a journey to Queensland (4 New Basics), to America (4 features of the ‘Agile Learner’) and Scotland’s 4 capacities, thus proving Thomas L Friedman’s promise that “the world is flat”. The response in Argyll and Bute to the Conceptual Emergency, prompted by Curriculum for Excellence, places at its core the belief that schools are best placed to navigate their way to the established North. 10 aeroplanes are being rebuilt while flying through the cluster plans which have been developed from the published “Our Expectations and Aspirations” overview paper.
No doubt that Argyll and Bute continues to fly high, is using its compasses to good effect and will have a map that is easily interpreted by its intrepid travellers!
Colin Grant, Director of Schools Services from Dumfries & Galloway, quietly but forcefully set the scene for the conference delegates. Pausing only to quote the legendary philosopher, Homer Simpson, “But Madge, trying is the first step on the road to failure!” he outlined 5 factors that they are taking account of locally:
Quality of workforce. Many private companies would die for a workforce that works as hard as the average teachers
Understand the caution of teachers. Previous initiatives such as 5-14 encouraged strong management not strong leadership
Time for teachers. Time to read, reflect, resolve
Our expectation of teachers. Assume that all your workforce are excellent until you have evidence otherwise!
CPD opportunities must match national rhetoric. Colin outlined steps taken in Dumfries and Galloway including:
putting more, not less, funds into building CPD capacity
This is a guest post from Tina Stevens of the Glow Team at LTScotland
On Thursday 19 March David Miller – UK teacher of the Year- delivered a wonderful masterclass through Glow Meet to teachers all over the country. Not only were those taking part able to listen and see David as he talked through his approaches for teaching the Robert Frost Poem ‘Out, Out’ , they were also able to ask questions and leave comments as the session was running.
The masterclass was such a success that David is already planning a second – this time based around a joint animation/poetry project that he has run in school alongside his art department called ‘Poetry in Motion’.
For those who missed the Robert Frost masterclass, the session and the resources David uses will be posted in the English teachers’ National glow group.
Neil Winton, PT English in Perth Academy, will be delivering the second masterclass after the Easter holidays. Neil has extensive experience of using WIKIs in education and his session will cover some of the work he highlighted at last year’s Scottish Learning Festival.
Eddie Broadley launched Day 2 of the event with a thought-provoking look at the “Curriculum for Excellence – What is the unit of change?”
Here’s a sample from the discussion that ensued:
What is the unit of change for ACfE ?
“For nearly 20 years, the profession has been ‘given’ instructions on how and what to teach. Has this made them unable to be as proactive in making the change that’s needed for ACfE? Is it really as simple as identifying the unit of change or is it really the quality of leadership we need to focus on?
Collaborative teaching from different subjects in secondary schools might be a way forward to encourage cross-curricular working, however the problems of logistics rears its head again. Are staffing formulae now ripe for change, particularly as resources tend to follow these formulae? When money is tight, resources tend to be removed starting with co-op teaching.” ?
You can take part in the ongoing discussion on the Building Windmills Glow group!
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This is a guest post from Tina Stevens of the Glow Team at LTScotland