Two weeks to go...

Around 70 teachers from Shetland to Berwickshire to The Western Isles to Montrose have registered an interest in participating in The Access Network FlashMeetings.

I am now contacting everyone to get further details eg whether a webcam/headset is needed; school address; ideal times for online meetings; areas of interest/for discussion etc.

The additional information is slowly coming in; so with a tight time-scale and some interest in a second trial meeting, I have booked another FlashMeeting for Thursday, 21st June, also at 4.10pm. Colleagues are being asked to choose either the 14th or 21st to try out this online conferencing.

I feel that some respondents may be interested in an initial face-to-face (in the same room) demo to give them the background knowledge and skills to take part from August. If this turns out to be the case, then I will arrange a training session in Fife towards the end of June.

Already, there is sufficient interest to enable future meetings dedicated to specific areas eg (at present) Maths, Science, English, Home Economics, Support for Learning, and Skills for Work.

Finally, thanks again to Partners in Learning (SQA and Microsoft), and in particular Walter for funding the purchase of forty Trust webcams and headsets and their delivery to the first forty signed-up Access Network participants. The first batch (with instructions for the IT technicians) will be sent out over this weekend.

Email noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk for further information.

FlashMeeting update

By the end of school today, forty-three teachers from across Scotland had registered to participate in The Access Network web conferences. This was despite some server problems which I believe has led to some colleagues not being able to register by email (please try dafc1885@hotmail.com instead, if this happens).

A range of subject areas are represented, with great potential for running specific Access Maths FlashMeetings in the future. Many Support for Learning staff have also 'signed up'. Colleagues appear to have been well informed by the letter from the SQA; the only things to be clarified are that the June 14th meeting is online also, and that participation in the Network is, and will be, free.

I am currently trying to source more than the twenty-five webcams and headsets that I originally budgeted for and hope that I can take delivery of these and issue them well in advance of the first meeting. Also, as each FlashMeeting can have a maximum of twenty-five participants, I am aware that a second introductory meeting me be arranged for the following week.

Any questions or comments can be made by emailing me at noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk or by leaving a comment, below.

The Access Network gets support from Partners in Learning

Partners in Learning (SQA/Microsoft) have agreed to provide funding and support for the following project plan, which aims to take forward The Access Network:


Proposal to Partners in Learning

I propose to run a fortnightly FlashMeeting, offering teachers of Access courses the opportunity to share ‘best practice’ and discuss issues regarding provision. A FlashMeeting is a simple web-based meeting tool, allowing a group of people to setup and have a meeting with each other using the internet. It is browser-based (video) conferencing, therefore participants require no technical knowledge, other than how to enter a web address. A FlashMeeting provides VoIP, video (where applicable), Instant Messaging, and a vote facility.

This approach will extend the operation of The Access Network, which was established four years ago. Difficulties regarding staff cover and travel mean that many teachers have been unable to attend despite recognising the benefits of attending for providers of Access courses in terms of supporting each other with resources, assessment, verification etc. The Access Network has always been open to all teachers working at this level.

I will try to ensure that a teacher from the sector with a ‘story to tell’ is in attendance. This may be the focus for the meeting ie they give a short introduction into what they do in class, and how this has made an impact. This stimulates discussion.

NB The following section of the project plan was formed in discussion with a Glow Mentor working in Glasgow.

A core aim of the Access Network will be to assist participants in using new communication technologies ie Flashmeeting. The group will become effective at collaborating and sharing, and will look towards the long term. Thus, upon the launch of Glow, the group (and participants) will be able to confidently move across, becoming a fully working Glow Group. Individuals will be able to use the Marratech tool within Glow as this is similar to Flashmeeting (despite probably not being ICT experts). They will be able to encourage colleagues to access and utilise the Glow tools. The group will be able to share their experiences of group forming, spreading the word of the group’s existence, and comparing virtual with face-to-face meetings.

Further details from David Noble at noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk

The Network goes online

The Access Network will now meet termly, online, via a web conference. There will be a trial-run on Thursday, 14th June. If you would like to take part on that date, or following the formal launch in August 2007, please refer to this exerpt from the SQA letter "To: SQA Co-ordinator", dated 11 May 2007:


Contact: David Noble
Direct line: 01383 860 731
E-mail: noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk

Dear Colleague

Access Network

For some time an informal network has existed to support teachers who are delivering units and courses at Access level (SCQF levels 1, 2 and 3). The Access Network has found it increasingly difficult to arrange meetings at times/locations suitable for interested teachers. It is now looking to make better use of technology to support its activities and to promote itself to a wider audience of teachers.

The main purpose of the network is to provide peer support for teachers of Access level provision, identify and promote good practice and share resources.

The technology to be used to support the online meetings is that used by the Open University and is free. The Access Network is offering free support to any teachers who might want to participate but are not fully conversant with the technology.

The SQA/Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative is supporting this development and has provided funding for a limited number of teachers to be provided with a webcam and headset for use in the online meetings.

Thank you for your consideration and we hope that participation in the activities of this network will be beneficial for your teachers and their pupils.

Yours faithfully

Jacqueline Campbell, SQA/Microsoft Partners in Learning, Project Officer