The Access Network - onwards into the Summer term

Six Access Network Flashmeetings have taken place during the Spring term. Despite continuing problems across the country regarding access to Flashmeeting (which is after all an OU tool for educators) there is sufficient interest and participation to sustain the activities. Below are the sessions which will run during the Summer term. Email me at noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk if you wish to take part in any of the sessions below, or would like to comment on anything to do with the network.

7 Access Maths – a one hour online discussion (Thursday 24th April, from 4-5pm)
8 'Show and Tell' - come along and be inspired as three teachers showcase a resource or stategy(Thursday 8th May, from 4-5pm) – this meeting will be recorded
9 Access resources - come along and find out about three products that could enhance your teaching and learning (Thursday 22nd May, from 4-5pm) – this meeting will be recorded
10 Building a ‘community of practice’ – find out about Twitter, a simple online tool for teachers to communicate with each other, and how it can be used within the Access Network (Thursday 5th June, from 4-5pm)
11 Access Science – a one hour online discussion (Thursday 19th June, from 4-5pm).

The session on A Curriculum for Excellence will now take place on either Thursday, 29th May or Thursday, 13th June from 4-5pm.

Write-up of Access 1 and 2 Flashmeeting

Four teachers met on Thursday, 6th March to talk about a variety of matters relating to Access 1 and 2. Much of the discussion centred on the lack of centrally-available or centre-shared materials and NABs at Access 1 and Access 2. There was a feeling that we are 'reinventing the wheel', particularly at Access 1 when constructing NABs from PCs and outcomes. Although there is no national facility for sharing such resources, one school has teachers saving all of their work on a shared network. They are then encouraged to work together to amend these resources year-on-year.

We also spoke about the use of photo, video, and audio evidence, and of check sheets. We shared ideas of where to go for resources and information, noting that there are some on the LTS and SQA websites.

Following the meeting, David contacted Paul Nisbet at CALL (they have previously looked into the sharing of Access resources nationally). He gave this reply:

(There has been) some small progress – we’ve been working with LTS and SCRAN to create a demo database of accessible resources in various formats. It will be done by end March, but I don’t know what the Government plans to do with it once it’s done ... I’ve got a blog (http://pauln.edublogs.org/) where I’ll put up info, and news will also go on the Books for All website (http://www.booksforall.org.uk/).

David has asked the Network (via the new discussion board, click here) if they would be interested in a shared SQA Development meeting. Teachers could bring examples of: centre NABs, pupils' work, schemes of work (cross curricular), and ask about good practice with respect to each of these. The discussion board could also be used for teachers to promote resources that they would be willing to share, and ask the community for help with locating materials. The effectiveness of this, of course, depends upon the number of teachers making use of (and registering for updates from) the board.

Latest News from the Access Network

A couple of colleagues from the steering group of the new Association of Chartered Teachers have agreed to participate in the 'Find out about the Chartered Teacher programme' Flashmeeting, which takes place on Wednesday, 19th March from 8-9pm. The timing of this session allows for those who have Flashmeeting blocked at school, to join the session from, for instance, home. Remember that having a microphone is enough for you to participate; you can even listen in if you only have speakers. As ever, email me at noble_d@hillsideschool.co.uk if you wish to take part.

I have set up an Access discussion board in response to the questionnaire that many participants completed back in December. This is another tool that is available to assist communication in the group. I would ask that everyone who has signed up for the Network, even if you haven't made it to a Flashmeeting, has a look at the discussion board. The board will serve three main purposes:

• To enable everyone (including those of us who cannot attend online meetings) to share resources, reflections, etc
• to facilitate discussion leading on from Flashmeetings
• to start or continue discussions between meetings.

To register for the discussion board please follow these steps:

1. Click on the link on the top right of the Access Network website, or visit http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/240684.html
2. click on 'Click here to receive daily updates', enter your email address and click on SUBSCRIBE. Please note that you will only receive an update if something has been posted on the board, so your email won't get clogged up!
3. click on a discussion thread to read/reply.

The session on A Curriculum for Excellence will now take place on either Thursday, 29th May or Thursday, 13th June from 4-5pm. It has been rescheduled as a ministerial announcement on ACfE in relation to National Qualifications (including Access) is imminent. Following this, the ACfE team will put together a comprehensive and up-to-date session for us. A healthy number of teachers have already signed up for this session, and there are places left.