Glow Scotland

November 15th, 2011

The War Poetry Glow Group on the National site

ggallacher

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Barry Wright is an English teacher at Carluke High School in South Lanarkshire. Last year he participated in a Building Glow Communities event held at Stirling and, with a number of other English teachers, created the War Poetry Glow Group on the National site in Glow. In this cookbook, Barry describes the purpose and content of the Group.

Find out more in the Cookbook here.

October 17th, 2011

Rapid Readers: using Glow to support a lunchtime reading club

ggallacher

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Librarian Linda Martin runs a Rapid Readers club at Carluke High School in South Lanarkshire. The club, for S2 pupils, meets at lunchtimes in the school library. It aims to encourage pupils to read for enjoyment and to read as widely as possible.

When Carluke High School first started using Glow in early 2008, the Rapid Readers Glow Group was created as one of a number of pilot projects, to explore how Glow could enhance pupils’ learning.

The same Glow Group has now been in use for over two years, evolving with each new activity the club undertakes. The Group is now a central hub, providing a focus for the lunchtime meetings and giving pupils a wealth of information and activities to explore when they log on to Glow at home.

Read more in the Cookbook here

November 19th, 2010

STATE OF EMERGENCY - Day Five

Julia Fenby

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On the final day of State of Emergency, S2 year groups from all seven schools came together via Glow Meet to share their learning experiences from this intensive week of activity.

Tarbert Academy journalists gave a live report on the conflict as news broke in the west of Scotland. Their broadcast was interrupted when freedom fighters broke into the newsroom in protest against the government regime.

A Bathgate Academy human rights campaigner gave a powerful speech about the importance of integrity and trust.

During the week, Lochend Secondary pupils had explored war poetry in English and code breaking in Maths. In Drama they’d made a film about a boy who wanted to join the army and in PE they’d learned what it might feel like to be in the army as they were made to run outside in the cold!

Clyde Valley High had a visit from the Red Cross and found out about refugee camps; they created Facebook pages and video messages for viral communications; they made images of war by acting out and photographing scenes involving rebels, civilians and government soldiers.

The Army marched into Cumnock Academy hall and set up an assault course – the highlight of the week for the reporters:

“It was amazing, great fun – I didn’t come first but I did enjoy it!”

“It helped build my confidence”.

They also had visits from the Red Cross and a Human Rights lawyer and learned that everyone has rights to equality and protection. Pupils had purified water in Science, and designed and built devices to transport black market goods through underground tunnels in Technology and Art.

At Greenock Academy aid workers had training in basic first aid and learned to cook nutritious meals with limited supplies. The army launched a search for a missing soldier and through constructing a refugee camp, they learned team work, how to filter water, make up ration packs and distribute food to refugees.

Holy Cross High reported that propaganda was rife, with posters put up around the school by both factions; normal lines of communications had been destroyed. The Department of PE had transformed soldiers into ‘lean, mean fighting machines’ in Sniper Alley; the Department of Technology investigated ways of disposing of human waste; the Department of Social Studies researched the causes of conflict, whilst the Department of Drama explored the motivations of those involved.

State of Emergency has clearly been an amazing experience for both pupils and staff. I would encourage you to visit the Glow Group to read pupil diaries about their learning, look at more photographs of cross-curricular activities and see the rich variety of resources shared by participating teachers. This really has been Curriculum for Excellence in action.

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund.

Image credit: Kath Morley, Greenock Academy

November 18th, 2010

STATE OF EMERGENCY - Day Four

Julia Fenby

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This project is so rich that it is impossible to fully reflect the depth and breadth of the activities and learning taking place in seven secondary schools across Scotland.

Today I went out to visit Cumnock Academy in East Ayrshire where staff have embraced the project and as well as designing an exciting timetable of activities for S2, have created opportunities for other pupils, such as the higher media studies students who are recording and reporting on the week’s activities, and the S6 pupils who are helping S2 build emergency shelters.

I arrived in time to join pupils in the hall to watch the fourth and final webisode. They were totally engaged and focused as the drama reached its sad and shocking conclusion. The atmosphere was palpable as pupils silently started to take in and make sense of what they’d seen.

The online dramas have provided the stimulus for the week’s activities and have generated deep discussion and raised big questions. Some of the pupils later engaged in a conversation with a group at Tarbert Academy via Glow Meet and had a serious debate about the motives behind different characters’ actions. Would they have stolen food if they were freedom fighters? Did they think being an insurgent would put their family in danger?

Yesterday, a Human Rights Lawyer visited the school as an expert witness. He was surprised by the pupils’ depth of knowledge, their insight into conflict situations and the challenging nature of their questions.

Participants have explored the physical, ethical and political issues and challenges thrown up by conflict and they have seen the relevance and connectivity of learning across the curriculum. The project has provided a stimulus for learning and a platform for creative response. The impact of State of Emergency looks set to be long lasting.

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund.

Image credit: Eoghann MacColl, Cumnock Academy

November 17th, 2010

STATE OF EMERGENCY – Day Three

Julia Fenby

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“This is an act of peace not war”, the politician announces in a TV news broadcast as government troops are mobilised for Operation Democracy – “the aim, to disable the unelected regime and restore democracy”. The reality for State of Emergency narrator Chloe is chilling – she is able to watch military strikes online whilst her own building shakes.

So began day three of State of Emergency, an intensive week for S2 pupils in seven schools, exploring the dilemmas and complexities of war, supported by Visible Fictions Theatre Company, and using a project Glow Group to share information, ideas and resources.

At Greenock Academy, staff and pupils have been living out a conflict, using role play to explore issues faced by refugees, soldiers, journalists and politicians.

“We don’t belong anywhere and we can’t trust anyone. We don’t want to fight, we just want to go home.” S2 ‘Refugee’ Pupil to Journalists, Greenock Academy

Clyde Valley High mathematics pupils were faced with the challenge of constructing new bridges to transport supplies over the Clyde after a bombing raid had destroyed the existing ones. They also learned how to make and break codes.

With the threat of shortages caused by the conflict, home economics pupils investigated what food supplies would be needed and where to locate them. At Bathgate Academy, the dining staff are involved too – their State of Emergency lunch time menu includes a ‘No deliveries’ day, with store cupboard ingredients only, and ‘No power or cooking facilities’ day when only cold food will be available.

“Its exciting, really different from normal school” S2 Pupil, Clyde Valley High

“We could have done a whole month on this”. Teacher, Lochend Secondary

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund.

Image credit: Julie Austin, Lochend Secondary

November 17th, 2010

STATE OF EMERGENCY – Day Two

Julia Fenby

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“The first victim of war is the truth”, The journalist’s view – Greenock Academy

Day two of the project and the second State of Emergency webisode starts to bring home some of the realities and complexities of war. What would it be like to live in a war zone?

Pupils and teachers have been engaged in challenging and thought provoking discussions…….What are the differences between needs and wants? Which version of a story is the truth? What is it like to live in a refugee camp? Who is right – the government or the freedom fighter?

Each school involved in the project is using conflict as the focus for learning and teaching, exploring war from both subject specific and interdisciplinary perspectives. Pupils at Tarbert Academy have created their own images of what war might look like for them; Clyde Valley High have been discussing war art and the deeper meanings hidden within it. At Bathgate Academy, pupils are working in groups to write their own blogs or online diaries about their learning experiences. At Greenock Academy, the resource centre has been converted into a field hospital and physical borderlines have been created in the school.

One thing is certain– this week is providing many participants with a completely new experience and way of working that is all engaging.

“Day one is over. Two webisodes down and not a technology disaster in sight! Now I know why we say “lines of communication”, how fast soup can be cooked (or not). The young people are engrossed in the fight for freedom. Can’t wait for Sniper Alley tomorrow….” Teacher, Holy Cross High

Male pupil: Miss, see in maths- are we gonnae dae that State of Emergency thing tae? Maths teacher: Yes we are Male pupil: Yabby dabby dabby do! Conversation, Lochend Secondary

For an overview of the project read the recent TES article and visit the State of Emergency Glow Group.

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund.

Image credit: Pupil, Tarbert Academy

November 16th, 2010

STATE OF EMERGENCY – Day One

Julia Fenby

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“This film is about what’s going on in my city, right now”…..

For S2 pupils in seven secondary schools, this week began with the first of four webisodes about conflict. Each day, they will learn about the crisis and dilemmas faced when a city is transformed into a war zone.

Over the last few months, teachers have been working together with Visible Fictions theatre company to share ideas and plan activities for this intensive week. The State of Emergency Glow Group is the central collaborative space for all participants; it contains an amazing bank of documents and information on war and related issues, with materials relevant to all subject areas and aspects of the Curriculum.

Now State of Emergency has begun, schools are uploading images, videos and diary entries about their experiences and their learning. Here are just a few entries from Day One:

“Red Cross and Army came through as did staff in school….Loads of discussion, design of emergency shelters, building emergency shelters, army assault course, science dept filtering dirty burn water through socks, tights, sand and other things and the webcasts - first class. We also had our own STV newsdesk presentations personalising the state of emergency to Cumnock. Roll on day 2..”

Teacher, Cumnock Academy

“We started playing games to get to know each other. We then got into groups to discuss the film we watched in the morning, we also discussed what a state of emergency is and the things we would need if this happened. After lunch a police officer came into the school and showed us their equipment for a riot and a state of emergency. We got back to class we talked about the difference between needs and wants, we came to a conclusion about healthcare, basic food, childcare, water and shelter as our basic needs. Transport caused us come debate but in the end we decided in was a need because our legs are a type of transport too. Nearer the end of the day we talked about world war two, rationing, the dig for victory and make mend and do campaigns. Pupil, Bathgate Academy

And from a teacher in Greenock Academy:

“We thought we’d struggle to fill three days, now we think we could keep this running for two whole weeks”

For an overview of the project read the recent TES article and visit the State of Emergency Glow Group.

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Creative Scotland National Lottery Fund.

Image credit: Eoghann MacColl, Cumnock Academy

September 20th, 2010

Co-Create at the Scottish Learning Festival

Julia Fenby

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Throughout 2010, ten demonstration projects are taking place in 18 local authorities across Scotland. Arts organisations are working together with teachers, pupils and other partners to explore and develop new approaches to teaching and learning using Glow and supporting delivery of Curriculum for Excellence. Four projects are presenting at the Scottish Learning Festival. Don’t miss:

S1A – Make Art Not War: A Dynamic, Interactive, Cross-curricular Experience for S2 pupils
Paul Gorman from Visible Fictions Theatre Company talks about ‘State of Emergency’, an ambitious project in which a series of webisodes and ‘live’ broadcasts from an online fictional country will be created and broadcast through Glow in November. This seminar outlines the process so far to highlight how creative approaches, facilitated within Glow, can ensure best practice in Curriculum for Excellence.

B1C - Curriculum for Excellence: Enhancing Performing Arts Experiences through Glow This seminar presents a new online learning resource that aims to support teachers and pupils to evaluate and appreciate performing arts experiences. The new resource supports teachers in meeting Curriculum for Excellence expressive arts experiences and outcomes across all levels and is a development of Imaginate’s range of resources on art appreciation.

B1E - Glow Co-Create model project: Hooks + Bites
Barbara Chalmers and the Plan B Collective team give a presentation on how they worked together with nursery, P7 and S6 pupils from St John’s Academy Perth to create a digital art bank for Glow made up of sound journeys, percussion and digital animation based on the pupils’ experience of ‘transition’.

B1H - Co-Creating with Glow: Walking Within Langass Wood
Join Sarah MacIntyre to hear about this collaborative project involving S2 pupils and staff from Sgoil Lionacleit (Benbecula), Carinish and Lochmaddy Primary Schools, Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre, Urras nan Craobh Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist Woodland Trust), and Scottish Natural Heritage. The project aims to creatively interpret the ecology and heritage of Langass Woods on North Uist through visual art, creative writing, science, history, geography and music.

Co-Create is funded through a partnership between Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund.

Image credits: Visible Fictions; Screen Media & Imaginate; Plan B Collective; Sgoil Lionacleit

September 1st, 2010

Glowing cookbook - Supporting an interdisciplinary project using Glow & Glow Learn

Gail Cairns

Comments: 3 Comments » Tags:  : Categories Glow Groups, Glow Learn, Literacy, South Lanarkshire

The English department at Carluke High School in South Lanarkshire has used Glow extensively over the last couple of years, with topics ranging from novel studies in S2 through to creative writing assignments at Higher.
Last autumn the English department worked in collaboration with other departments on a ‘Scottish Heritage’ project. In this cookbook English teacher Barry Wright describes how Glow was used to support this interdisciplinary project.

The Scottish Heritage Project encompassed all S1 pupils and staff from the English, History and Computing departments. The project’s aims were:

• Developing pupils’ understanding and appreciation of their local heritage
• Encouraging pupils to make connections between different areas of learning
• Building pupils’ skills in working independently
• Developing pupils’ skills in working in partnership and in teams

The project explored a number of different themes of Scottish heritage, including music and arts, local industry and famous buildings.

Visit this cookbook to find out how Barry created a ’Scottish Heritage’ Glow Group and then sub-Groups for each of the different themes. All S1 pupils and the staff involved in the project were given membership of each of the Groups. Each Group contained links to web sites for background reading and for research tasks, discussion boards for pupils’ questions and feedback, and assignments created in Glow Learn.

December 11th, 2009

Poetry Glow Meet Wednesday 16th December

carolegillespie

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 : Categories Glow Meet, Literacy, South Lanarkshire, Uncategorized

Elspeth Murray is our online poet for National Poetry Day 2009.

Elspeth is visiting an S2 English class in Calderside Academy, Blantyre on Wednesday 16th December to participate with pupils on this year’s theme of Heroes and Heroines. Elspeth will help pupils develop some heroic verse of their very own and you and your class can be there with Glow.

A Glow Meet with Elspeth will be held in the Literacy and English National Glow Group on Wednesday December 16th at 11 10 am. A follow-up Glow Meet where pupils will get the opportunity to present their own poems to Elspeth will take place in January 2010.

Elspeth invites S2 to join her to hear her poetry, work on the Heroes and Heroines theme and to ask her questions about her work and life as a poet.

You can register your interest and post questions for Elspeth to answer by emailing [email protected]

Please note you can also register your interest on the Heroes and Heroines Poetry Glow Page - follow the link from Literacy and English National Glow Group Noticeboard.