A glut of options

20th May 2005, 1:00am

Share

A glut of options

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/glut-options
Thomas Watson seeks out some top resources on offer at Wales Education 2005

This year’s Wales Education Show boasts more than 130 exhibitors, giving teachers the opportunity to speak to representatives of everything from puppet manufacturers to Welsh language books. Environmental and citizenship issues form a key part of the show, with a host of organisations offering resources in these fields.

Cyfanfyd promotes education for global citizenship and sustainable development in Wales through work with charities such as Oxfam Cymru and Christian Aid. The national organisation is responsible for resources and training events designed to allow teachers to better understand global citizenship. Its stand contains information on global citizenship resources. Stand S21.

Visitors can access more citizenship resources at the Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship stand. The main focus is the publication of the same name, which has now been sent out to most Welsh schools. Focusing on eight key concepts, including diversity, sustainable change, quality of life, and conflict and resolution, this is a book of resources designed for teachers of geography, science and PSHE at all levels - although the pack and the ethos are intended to be incorporated into whole-school activities. The ESD will also be showcasing new teacher training material based on citizenship, as well as the latest successful applicants for citizenship grants throughout Wales. Stand S23.

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is showcasing its array of educational resources, including the launch of the livingandlearningwithwater.com website, which promises to bring together a wealth of citizenship guidelines from throughout the water industry in Wales. The non-profit Living and Learning With Water arm of the company is also responsible for Water Family, an online resource based on the popular Sims game, and World of Water, a collection of CD-Rom resources for interactive whiteboards aimed at junior pupils. Stand E4.

Hands-on activities are the order of the day for the Defence Schools Presentation. This free teaching resource pits the presentation team, all serving personnel from the armed forces, alongside teachers to create teaching materials for PSHE and social studies pupils. The resources, run by one of four teams nationwide, are aimed primarily at Year 10 pupils, and include presentations and discussions on the Ministry of Defence’s role in crisis resolution in the UK and throughout the world. The centrepiece of each four-hour presentation comes when students are asked to roleplay a cabinet meeting and formulate a plan of action concerning one of several overseas crises, including civil war and the kidnapping of British citizens. The pupils are then asked to hold a press conference to present their decisions, with the remaining students playing the part of the assembled media. Stand S27.

Schools are being reminded of Wales’s proud cultural heritage at the Culturenet Cymru, a site devoted to promoting Welsh culture as an educational resource. Founded three years ago, the organisation has since created a number of detailed online projects, including the ongoing Gathering The Jewels project, now comprising 20,000 images from Welsh history. Other projects championed on the Culturenet Cymru site includes 100 Welsh Heroes, a quest to identify the most significant Welsh cultural icons of all time. Currently, the Culturenet Cymru team are involved in Books from the Past, a project to convert out-of-print books into digital format. Pages from each of the 12 books, all tomes of national cultural interest, are available as images of the original printed pages, and as electronic text. Stand A27.

Wildgoose offers a wealth of materials for geography students, making use of aerial photography of Wales to provide insights into terrain and development. Schools can order photography of the grounds and surrounding areas, as well as aerial imagery of well-known landmarks. Images are available as CD or hard copy, and resources are also provided in Welsh or English. More information can be found at Stand E24.

ProQuest Primary: Library is a new general reference website from ProQuest Information and Learning. It contains a searchable bank of newspapers, reference books, pictures, videos, animations and links. Stand B26.

Active Designs has translated a selection of science and early years resources into Welsh. These products include Bag of Bones and Plant in a Pocket. Stand E9.

Resource Education is launching a Welsh version of Albert’s House for primary age children: Lleucu Llwyd. It has text presented and spoken in Welsh, with a French version due out soon. Stand A33.

Admission is free, but advance booking will avoid queues. Seminars cost Pounds 5 in advance and pound;10 on the day.Show website: www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared