Any speaker described as “compulsory listening for every teacher” runs the risk, in Scotland, of getting the reaction: “I’ll give that a miss, then.” But it would be a mistake in the case of Sir John Jones, keynote speaker at this September’s Scottish Learning Festival.
A former teacher in challenging schools, Sir John sees education in terms of social change, and his talks range across leadership, inclusion, organisation, practical ideas and futures thinking. He also plays rock guitar.
One year on from implementation in every school, Curriculum for Excellence features strongly at this year’s festival, with a focus on teachers’ major concerns.
Practitioners, inspectors and curriculum developers explore assessment and the issues arising as principles are turned into tentative practice. The new agency being formed from HM Inspectorate and Learning and Teaching Scotland will present the national approach to moderation and reveal the seven essential features for successful implementation of CfE.
Teachers from schools across the sectors will examine e-portfolios for sharing progress and achievement, while separate seminars will look at the National Assessment Resource for moderation; other countries’ experience of assessment; and Opening Up Learning, a new online assessment resource.
Two keynotes take the form of round table discussions, chaired by leading assessment academic Gordon Stobart and Graham Donaldson, author of the review of teacher education. Elsewhere seminar topics include parents as partners, outdoor learning, reading engagement, renewable energy, teaching for understanding, literacy in science, games design and climate change.
The Scottish Learning Festival at the SECC Glasgow, September 21-22, is organised by Learning and Teaching Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, and supported by TESS. The exhibition is run by emap connect.
To book, go to www.scottishlearningfestival.org.uk
SUBJECTS IN BRIEF
Museum tours
History
The National Museum of Scotland is to host three CPD events to introduce teachers to the transformed museum which re-opens on 29 July. Afternoon sessions on 9 and 23 September and 7 October will explore the new galleries and update staff on the 2011-12 schools programme, now available online. Email: b.lyon@nms.ac.uk
www.nms.ac.uk
TeachMeets
General
There are two Scottish TeachMeets for teachers to share ideas next month. TeachMeet Lothians and Borders’ Creative Classrooms is 7 June at the Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh. TeachMeet Strathclyde, run by the Continuing Professional Development in ITS Society at Jordanhill, is 8 June. www.teachmeet.pbworks.com.
