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.