Scottish Technicians Advisory Group December 14, 2006
Posted by Brian in : CPD, SSERC, STAG, Uncategorized , 1 comment so far
Yesterday I headed over to SSERC for the quarterly meeting of the Scottish Technicians Advisory Group.
The group consists of representatives from local authorities across Scotland and meets four times a year.
A lot of good work is done by the advisory group, one of the most important initiatives that is currently being given consideration is the report that has been commissioned by the Scottish Executive into CPD and related activities for school technical support staff.
It stems from the findings of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee who published a report called “Why science education matters” . 
Within the report there are many references to technical support staff e.g
- Technical support in schools must be strengthened so that pupils can have the experience and stimulation of “hands on” practical work
-
All secondary schools should have at least one dedicated science technician. Such members of staff should be seen as an integral part of the science provision, having access to appropriate CPD and career enhancement opportunities.
The interim report has been published by SSERC and it is hoped that the full report will be made available in early part of the new year.
It will be a document that has the potential to shape the future of the technicians service in Scotland.
elcouncil, Science Strategy, SSERC, STAG
Comments and Progress December 12, 2006
Posted by Brian in : CPD, ICT, Uncategorized , add a commentThanks for all the comments its good to see that people from all over the country are prepared to air their feelings and work towards moving forward and effecting change.
Harry said in his comment that his colleague James Dunn, a school ICT technician, had not been eligible to apply for the ICT mentor posts in Glasgow City Council.
In my experience an ICT technician working in a school would be in a great position to act as a mentor. I know that James has done a lot to promote ICT in schools and it seems mad not to have taken advantage of his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm.
Technical support staff have the flexibility to make the time to acquaint themselves with new equipment, ICT or otherwise. We have finely honed practical skills, detailed technical knowledge, and experience of how new equipment and ICT can be applied to the curriculum to enhance the learning and teaching experience.
Yet, often our input is overlooked, training to keep our skills up to date is made difficult to access and more and more is being asked from us with ever decreasing numbers.
I believe it doesn’t have to be this way.
Things are changing with regards to technical support in Scotland (I will go into more detail about this in my next blog entry) but we still have to work on raising our profile. We must also actively canvass for change and not fear speaking up and telling people about the important role we have within a modern education environment. A start would be to get removed the words “non teaching staff” from all local authority documents.
Interactive Whiteboards - The Future? December 6, 2006
Posted by Brian in : CPD, GLOW, ICT, Uncategorized , 1 comment so far
Todays internal ICT training was about interactive whiteboards.
An excellent presentation and demonstration was given by our Principle Teacher of Maths, Fiona Mcleod. Fiona explained how the “pen” that comes with the board works, the boards limitations, and how to get the best from the software that comes with it.
All maths departments in East Lothian have been lucky enough to be kitted out with Promethean white boards, so after being told all about them we were able to try them out for ourselves in the rest of the maths rooms.
I had seen interactive whiteboards being demonstrated at SETT but I had never actually had a chance to have a go on one of them. I know that in my role as a science technician there wont be much call for me to use one, but being interested in ICT in general and finding out how technology works I revelled in the chance to put one through its paces.
It felt a bit funny at first, using a pen that doesnt actually write, but it wasnt long before the whiteboard had made sense of my scrawl and turned it into legible text. I played around with it for around half and hour, calling up a variety of documents, videos and images and it really is an amazing piece of kit.The only limitation to it will be the imagination of the person using it.
Interactive whiteboards will compliment the virtual learning environment found inside GLOW and my guess is that within ten years most classrooms will have one.
If you get the chance to have a go of one then, regardless of what role you play in education, try one out and see the future of education for yourself.
Being Flexible December 5, 2006
Posted by Brian in : CPD, ICT, Single Status, Uncategorized , 3comments
Today I contacted the business manager here at Musellburgh Grammar and also the personnel department about taking part in the flexible working hours scheme that the council runs.
Council policy states :-
All administrative, professional, technical and clerical staff will be included in the scheme except where, in the view of the Director concerned, and after discussion with the Trade Union Representatives the inclusion of any post is considered impracticable or detrimental to the level of service to the public.
As far as I am aware I have no knowledge of the Director of Education and Childrens services ever being in consultation with unions in regard to stopping school support staff from having access to the flexible working hours scheme so I have asked for clarification on the matter.
Using Flexi time is by far the norm amongst local government employees. It enables staff to be flexible to the needs of their work. Schools should be no exception.
For example Ollie Bray runs excellent after school ICT training. It’s a great way for all staff to access the basic tools and knowledge required in todays multimedia education environment and its making an impact by improving the way ICT is being used to promote good learning and teaching within East Lothian schools. Teaching staff put it down for their CPD, council staff who attend from John Muir House put it on their flexi time, but school support staff have no way of gaining back the time.
Some may say that is just being petty, but rather than being petty I think it’s unfair.
Under single status, local government employees, with some exceptions e.g Teachers, are meant to be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment. If one sector of employees is being treated differently that others without explanation then surely that cannot be in the spirit of the agreement.
Here’s how it could work in schools
- flexi time would have to be subject to the operational requirements of the school
- flexi-time would be taken in consultation with and the approval of the line manager
- staff who required to work additional hours would inform line managers and gain approval where possible before commencing
- staff would be required to keep their own log of their hours and submit them to their line manager on a weekly or monthly basis
- the flexi time agreement in schools would be subject to the councils policy on flexible working arrangements in all other respects
Please feel free to comment with ideas, suggestions or to start a debate. It would be great to hear how it works in schools that do have flexi time.
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