All posts in the ‘international’ Category
- February 3rd, 2012
SCIPD Group Study Visit to the Netherlands
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, enterprise, europe, events, research
: Categories creativity, europe, international, mathematics, renewables and climate change, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies
SCIPD Group Study Visit to the Netherlands
6th – 10th March 2012
Theme: The Circular Economy – Sustainable technologies, design, economics and production for the 21st century
Education Scotland is inviting applications from secondary teaching staff for a group study visit to ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands to investigate how cradle to cradle technologies and a circular economy can be used as a rich and stimulating context for interdisciplinary learning relating to sustainable development education and global citizenship. This visit has been arranged in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The Scottish Government is committed to a low-carbon and zero-waste economy, and it is important to develop enterprise, creativity and STEM (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Maths) skills in young people to ensure the realisation of these ambitious plans for the future. The circular economy concept proposes the use of sustainable technologies and innovative design and production methods that minimise waste and reduce the exploitation of the earth’s precious resources. Industrial companies in the Netherlands are at the forefront of developing products that mimic natural processes and that are designed for disassembly and reuse.
Education Scotland, in collaboration with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is developing strategies for professional development around sustainable development education and the circular economy to encourage the setting up of communities of practice among practitioners in Scotland. These will provide opportunities for ongoing, localised support and collaboration as recommended by Teaching Scotland’s Future.
It is expected that the visit to the Netherlands will include:
- Orientation sessions with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Dutch curriculum agency SLO, to introduce participants to the model of the circular economy and brief them on the structure of the Dutch school system and curriculum
- Visits to businesses which have adopted cutting-edge approaches to circular economy principles
- Visits to schools to see how learning relating to the circular economy is being used as a theme for interdisciplinary learning around sustainability
Travel to the Netherlands will be on Tuesday 6th March, with three working days in the area, followed by return to Scotland on Saturday 10th March.
SCIPD funding will cover return flights to the Netherlands, airport to hotel transfers, and overnight hotel accommodation in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on a bed and breakfast basis.
Participants will be offered a pre-visit preparatory meeting, and a post-visit meeting to support follow-up activity and encourage wider impact.
This study visit is targeted at education professionals in Scottish secondary schools, particularly teachers of sciences, technologies, mathematics, business studies, economics and geography.
Expected learning outcomes
Participants will have an opportunity to:
- Increase their knowledge of the circular economy concept, its implementation in industry, and its impact on education for sustainability
- Investigate and discuss Dutch educational practice for sustainable development and its place in the curriculum
- Share professional dialogue and reflection with their hosts and with colleagues in the group
Upon returning from the study visit, participants will be expected to:
- produce reports for Education Scotland which demonstrate the impact on their professional practice of the study visit experience
- disseminate findings, share ideas and new approaches within their own establishment and beyond
- make changes to learning and teaching practices in their own professional context.
Applicants may wish to use the experience of the study visit towards professional recognition by GTCS or simply to enhance their professional understanding and practice.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified members of Scottish school or authority staff, who should complete the Netherlands group application form available below or from Nick Morgan at nick.morgan@educationscotland.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21st Feb 2012
SCIPD Netherlands application form
More- February 3rd, 2012
Environment Online – a global schools network for sustainable development education
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: action, climate and energy, europe
: Categories ICT, biodiversity, citizenship, community, europe, international, outdoor learning, renewables and climate change, sustainable development
Environment Online – ENO is a global virtual school network for sustainable development.
Learning is student and problem-centred with both online and offline activities. At the end of each theme there is a campaign week during which the results of learning are raised in local communities and on the web. Students eventually become ambassadors for the environment of their respective local communities and regions. Regular themes and have been forests, climate change, ecological footprint and different cultural themes.
The success of the ENO Programme lies in the fact that it is run by teachers. Over 7000 from 105 countries are part of the ENO network. The ages of learners involved range from 12 – 18 years.
Objectives
- to deepen environmental themes at schools
- to add global awareness and internationality
- to educate for active citizenship
- to get schools from developing countries as active participants
- to learn basic skills in ICT
- to make a change together
Visit http://www.enoprogramme.org/ to find out more.
More- January 30th, 2012
‘Learner Voice’ and ‘Pupil Participation’ Conference – 23 March 2012
- kmayer
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: debating, democracy, learner voice
: Categories citizenship, curriculum areas, international, learner voice, sharing practice
Education Scotland invites practitioners interested in developing ‘pupil participation’ and ‘learner voice’ within their classroom, school and local authorities to attend a national conference in Edinburgh on Friday, 23 March.
The event will provide practitioners with a number of dynamic addresses and interactive workshops presenting successful initiatives of creating, developing and sustaining a pupil centred and paticipatory learning environment. The key note address will be delivered by Tam Baillie, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.
If you wish to pre-rigster for this event please email: globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk
More- January 30th, 2012
Chinese New Year
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: : Categories china, international
As we enter the Chinese Year of the Dragon there is activity all around Scotland to welcome the New Year. The Education Scotland website carries details of resources which can help schools to celebrate.
Here’s a few of the events taking place: a delegation from Shanghai visited several Confucius Classroom hubs, and their song and dance performance is being broadcast on our Glow TV intranet; the Ricefield cultural centre in Glasgow runs a Takeaway China festival with a particular focus on photography and film; and the Take One Action organisation offers a selection of four films about contemporary China, titled ‘China on the move’, each accompanied by discussion with expert speakers.
Out in Scottish schools, there are also events to mark the New Year. For example, in East Dunbartonshire the students at St.Ninian’s High School are participating in cultural and artistic workshops and performances.
More- January 30th, 2012
Holocaust remembrance in Scotland
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: holocaust education
: Categories citizenship, international, religious and moral education, social studies
Last week we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 with events all over the country in communities and schools. This annual occasion is an opportunity to remember those who died in the Holocaust of World War 2 and in the genocides since, and to challenge the prejudice and discrimination which can lead to such horrors.
The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) takes a lead in facilitating such commemoration, and it picked the theme of ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ for its 2012 campaign. It created education resources and material to help local organisers such as teachers and librarians to create activities which increased public participation.
Each year in Scotland one local authority hosts a national event. In 2012 Dundee City Council took the lead, working with partners such as the Scottish Inter Faith Council, HMDT, and the Anne Frank Trust. The event included participation by John Swinney MSP on behalf of Scottish Government, a local disabled dance group, students from Dundee schools, and visiting speakers from Denmark, Japan and Canada. A unique element of the evening was focused around ‘Inside Hana’s Suitcase’, the story of one victim of the Nazis, her family and how a suitcase stimulated learning about the Holocaust in many countries.
Two Grove Academy students presented personal views of the impact of their participation in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme managed by the Holocaust Education Trust. The Scottish Government recently confirmed that it will continue its support for this programme for another year, enabling more Scottish school students to learn from the experience.
In East Renfrewshire students from all the local secondary schools were involved in a commemorative event at Eastwood Theatre, covered by one of the local newspapers.
In Edinburgh the public library service launched its Ernest Levy archive at an event hosted by Portobello High School. Ernest Levy was a Holocaust survivor who made his home in East Renfrewshire and then dedicated a great deal of time to working with schools to spread a message of tolerance and respect.
More- January 27th, 2012
Global citizenship online community – Join now
- imenzies
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: community, CPD, school improvement
: Categories CPD, citizenship, early years, games and sport, international, leadership, learner voice, primary schools, secondary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development
Do you have an interest in, or remit for, global citizenship? Need some advice or want to share ideas with like-minded practitioners?
If so, then you’ll probably want to have a peek at the shiny new online community for global citizenship on CPD Central. Join now so you can brag to colleagues about how you were one of the pioneering members .
Why have we set it up? Well, there’s always a buzz of ideas and sharing at our face-to-face CPD events and we thought it’d be amazing if we could find a way of bringing people together again and again to keep the discussion and buzz going. Well we’ve found a way! Here’s your bit:
Step 1 – Visit http://bit.ly/DGConline and add your picture (Glow log in required)
Step 2 - Share an idea or ask the audience
Welcome gift! If you join before Friday 17th February 2012 we’ll be happy to offer you a special gift to welcome you to the community – one of our highly-prized global citizenship wall calendars (these have been flying off our shelves!).
More- December 19th, 2011
British Red Cross – New resources for the New Year!
- mfarrell
- Comments: none Tags: : Categories citizenship, curriculum areas, international
British Red Cross – New Resources for the New Year
Photo quiz
The British Red Cross schools photo quiz of the year is now available
Is it a quiz? Or a citizenship discussion trigger? It’s both. Ten high-quality press photographs are the basis of a fast-moving and, sometimes, funny quiz. Available as a powerpoint, the pictures and stories can also be used to encourage open discussion, moving to the next question only when conversation falters.
Newsthink Staffroom Poster
BRC have also reprinted the popular newsthink staffroom poster which folds out to various sizes up to A1. It is covered in quick teaching activities and some striking photographs.
Order a free copy here
http://shop.redcross.org.uk/shop/product.asp?id=104278&category=93504
More- December 6th, 2011
Scottish Education Awards 2012
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: SEA2012
: Categories citizenship, international, sustainable development
This week saw the re-launch of the Scottish Education Awards, an annual opportunity for us all to celebrate the hard work and success that happens all over Scotland’s education system. The Awards recognise the vision, planning and effort of people who make outstanding contributions to achievement and attainment in schools, and showcase innovation and practice in establishments all over the country.
Among the Award categories are Awards for ‘Global Citizenship’ and ‘Sustainable Schools’, and we would encourage school staff to consider submitting a nomination for their own work. Our team really appreciate the chance to learn more about great activity going on in schools, and these Awards enable teachers to shout out about their achievements.
The Scottish Education Awards are managed by the Scottish Government and the Daily Record newspaper. Full details online at http://www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk/ and nominations close on Friday 2nd March 2012.
More- November 23rd, 2011
Human Rights and global citizenship
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: human rights
: Categories citizenship, international
Human Rights Day http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Day2011/Pages/HRD2011.aspx is coming up soon, on 10th December, and many teachers in Scotland will find some way to mark the occasion in school. If any Scottish teacher is doing something special this year to facilitate student learning about this aspect of global citizenship, let me know and I’ll write up some of the activities for this blog. nick.morgan@educationscotland.gov.uk
Each year there are new resources available; one example is ‘Learning through Film: Human Rights in Scotland’, a combined book and DVD teaching resource which secondary teachers could use to deliver workshops based on documentary films on human rights in Scotland. Each workshop is based on one of ten short specially made documentaries. With contributions by Scottish artists and filmmakers as diverse as the novelist Irvine Welsh, Oscar winner Tilda Swinton and Turner Prize winner Douglas Gordon, the resource aims to expand the students’ understanding of human rights and their skills in media literacy. A website ‘Learning through Film’ describes the resource, offers samples and availability information.
Well-respected charities such as the British Red Cross and Amnesty already have relevant teacher resources available online to support activity. This year Amnesty has given its campaign a focus on ‘Write for Rights’, asking young people to set up letter writing events, send cards, or take other creative actions.
More- November 23rd, 2011
Europe – the Charlemagne Prize
- nickmorgan
- Comments: none Tags: Tags: european parliament
: Categories citizenship, europe, international, social studies
The Charlemagne Youth Prize competition for 2011/12 has just been launched, and schools throughout Europe have been invited to submit an application before the deadline of 23rd January 2012. The Prize aims to recognise and encourage the development of European consciousness among young people, as well as their participation in European activities and programmes. Schools often have a wealth of global citizenship and international work underway with students, including curricular projects or activities with a European focus, and might consider making an entry.
The Prize is awarded to projects already undertaken by young people that foster understanding, promote the development of a shared sense of European identity, and offer practical examples of Europeans living together in one community. A jury in each EU member state will select a winning entry, and the European-level winners will then be selected from these 27 shortlisted projects. The three overall winners will get cash prizes and will be invited to visit the European Parliament in autumn 2012 for the award presentation. In addition, representatives of all the 27 national winners will be invited to a visit to Aachen, Germany, the home of the Foundation of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen.
Schools considering an entry might benefit from looking at the work of previous shortlisted projects. The UK online lifestyle magazine “Europe and Me” won first prize in 2011. http://www.europeandme.eu/ The second and third prizes went to “Balkans beyond Borders”, a short-film project from Greece, and the “Escena Erasmus project in Spain about cultural and linguistic exchanges.
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