Access Network - Introduction to Twitter

Twitter is an easy-to-use web-based networking tool that is being used by thousands of teachers and learning professionals across the world to share ideas, resources, challenges and life in general, through short messages. Last Thursday, three teachers met via Flashmeeting to discuss the use of this tool to educators. The participants were Iain (http://twitter.com/don_iain), David (http://twitter.com/parslad) and 'newbie' Sean (http://twitter.com/edmanager).

If you have never heard of or experienced Twitter, you may wish to watch the 'Twitter in Plain English' video below, produced by commoncraft.



Click here to watch a replay of the Access Network conversation.

Below are links to some Scottish-based learning professionals who are 'on' Twitter.

http://twitter.com/ewanmcintosh (4iP)
http://twitter.com/johnjohnston (North Lanarkshire Council)
http://twitter.com/jconnell (John Connell - Cisco)
http://twitter.com/CPDScotsman (Con Morris - CPD Scotland)
http://twitter.com/laurieod (Laurie O'Donnell - LTS)
http://twitter.com/whereisab (Andrew Brown - LTS)
http://twitter.com/olliebray (Ollie Bray - LTS)
http://twitter.com/joecar (Joe Wilson - SQA
http://twitter.com/gtcs
http://twitter.com/dobelou (Louise McDonough - DoBe)
http://twitter.com/ScotEduBlogs (Latest education blog posts)
http://twitter.com/fkelly (Fearghal Kelly - East Lothian teacher)
http://twitter.com/louisesdad (Martin Brown - LTS)
http://twitter.com/JimbobMorrison (Jim Morrison - residential school teacher)
http://twitter.com/careersscotland
http://twitter.com/mvass (Margaret Vass - Chartered Teacher)
http://twitter.com/derekrobertson (LTS)
http://twitter.com/lynnehorn (Principal Teacher of Languages)
http://twitter.com/tombarrett
http://twitter.com/stuartmeldrum (East Lothian teacher)
http://twitter.com/mrmackenzie (Sinclair McKenzie - Science teacher)
http://twitter.com/jonesieboy (Robert Jones - Maths teacher)

Access Network - Kelly Stone on feminist conceptions of 'problem' boys

Kelly Stone, Edinburgh educationalist and Doctorate of Education (EdD) student at the University of Edinburgh, led a discussion on conceptions of 'problem' boys: 'poor boys; ‘failing schools, failing boys’; and 'boys will be boys'.

To watch an edited recording of the talk and discussion, click here. You can view the text chat by clicking on 'chat' in the top-right corner of the meeting screen. If you wish to rewind or fast-forward, click on the timeline which scrolls down the screen.

Gender Equality: A Toolkit for Education Staff is available here

LTS's Research summary - gender in education is here

You can hear more about Hawick High School's Girls of Ambition initiative here. Click on 02:14:08 on the timeline to listen to teachers Lorna and Nikki speaking about it.

Access Computing and ICT

A small discussion took place last week on ICT-related units and courses suitable for pupils working at Access level.

We spoke about the refreshed PC Passport Beginner course, which although at SCQF Level 4, is suitable for some Access pupils. It was felt that the course had been improved; was more up-to-date; and that, within the post-S3 stage of Curriculum for Excellence, it could be embedded across the curriculum. There was a concern, however, that it would not engage some pupils as it didn't cover many of the uses of the internet made by school-age students.

The Digital Literacy course at Access 3 was mentioned as an alternative. This comprises: Digital Communication, Digital Computing, and Digital Numeracy. The course lends itself to using a range of new web tools, and the possibility of greater engagement, though it was felt that limitations on web/network access within schools may limit creativity in developing teaching and learning opportunities.

Access 3 Computing Studies, which although not refreshed for 5 years, still provides some relevant learning opportunities. It is well resourced and has the flexibility to tailor tasks to pupils' interests.

The Small Business Game (formerly The Sports Store Game/Sport4Life) is an educational game where you run your own football franchise store. It was given as an example of an engaging (even competitive) web-based resource which shows the relevance of ICT in providing learning opportunities across the curriculum and in a real-life setting.

Scratch is "a new programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art; and share your creations on the web." A demonstration on how this free-to-download program offers pupils a 'low-threshhold, high-ceiling' learning opportunity was made at the recent TeachMeet@ScottishBorders event, organised by East Lothian teacher, Stuart Meldrum. Click here to watch a replay of the event, which showcases many inspiring ICT resources, and teaching and learning strategies, shared by ground level educators.