At a twighlight CPD session at Knox Academy recently several teachers practiced using GoogleDocs together.

The Application is one which has the potential of enabling pupils who cannot attend school due to illness to access past papers and other written materials from home. A teacher can write comments on the document and return it swiftly, all on line.

Another application allows a group of pupils to work together on  Powerpoint presentations ,each submitting their contribution from various computers in several locations.

One teacher was going off to set up a link for a boy who is undergoing medical treatment which threatens to disrupt his final year of school. This will allow him to complete his Higher studies from hospital or home and to maintain important support systems with peers and staff.

Have a look at GoogleDocs on Youtube and you’ll be inspired!

The address is http://edubuzz.org/eal .  Being a website means that it is available at all times so will eventually replace Education Exchange as a source of materials.

I look forward to comments from users.

A friend told me about an interesting television programme which they had watched recently. I was able to find and view it thanks to the marvel of the Channel 4 replay service.

The short film “Parliamo Glasgow” which is part of the “Coming Up” series for young film makers,  deals with the difficulties faced by a Polish teenager, after moving into a high rise flat in Glasgow. I feel that clearly presents the pressures which young people experience and how they are forced to rely “on the kindness of strangers” – often assuming responsibilty beyond what would have been expected in their home country. 

Some of you may find it rather “naff” but I would thoroughly recommend it everyone.

Click on this link to view the programme on line.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/coming-up/episode-guide/series-3

September 29, 2009

REVAMP FOR CHARTERED TEACHER STANDARD

Scotland’s premier development programme for teachers has been given a boost following the launch of the revised Standard for Chartered Teacher.

After a consultation period, the Standard has been refocused to ensure it highlights key leadership skills and better natural progression from the Standard for Full Registration that all teachers work towards during the first year of teaching.

Keith Brown, Minister for Schools and Skills, said:

“Chartered Teachers have much to offer in Scotland’s schools, therefore I am delighted that the Standard for Chartered Teacher has been revised and improved. The Standard has been redesigned to ensure greater natural progression in teacher development, while putting more focus on leadership qualities and skills.

“As we take forward the biggest changes to Scottish education in a generation through Curriculum for Excellence, we must have a teaching profession that can rise to the challenge of providing innovative and exciting learning, which prepares our young people for the challenges of the 21st century.

“During this time of change, Chartered Teachers are ideally placed, as they can use their skills and abilities to work with the senior school management team, other teachers and the wider education community. As well as a strong knowledge and understanding of best practice in their field, they can bring confidence and a drive to succeed, essential qualities as we press ahead with delivering Curriculum for Excellence.”

Tony Finn, Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland, commented:

“The agreement to produce this revised Standard was reached after careful discussion with stakeholders and represents an important professional achievement.

“Much has changed since 2003 when the original Standard was produced to provide an initial benchmark for the introduction of Chartered Teachers in Scottish schools. In particular, there is now evidence that many Chartered Teachers are making an increasingly important contribution to the development of thinking about good learning and teaching. In best practice they are, in a spirit of collegiality, helping to lead learning in their schools.

“It is therefore appropriate that we should now build on the existing Standard, clarifying reasonable expectations of a Chartered Teacher, while re-affirming that Chartered Teachers do not have a managerial role. As we plan for a new curriculum, Chartered Teachers will make a very positive contribution to the learning of pupils and to the support of their colleagues.”

Ronnie Smith, General Secretary of the EIS, said:

“The EIS welcomes this refresh of the Standard for Chartered Teacher and hopes that this will provide a stimulus for an even greater number of eligible teachers to engage with the Chartered Teacher programme.

“All of the stakeholders should use the opportunity provided by this relaunch to now do everything possible to promote actively the merits of the CT scheme, in line with Recommendation 3 of the Chartered Teacher Review Group.”

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS

1.    The Chartered Teacher scheme, launched in 2003, was developed as part of the teachers pay and conditions agreement to reward excellent teachers who wanted to advance their career without applying for management posts. Current arrangements mean a teacher is eligible to join the programme when they are at the top of the main scale (i.e. after 5 years’ teaching post probation).

2.    Chartered Teachers are expected to be at the forefront of implementing changes in education practices within a school and take a leading role in working with colleagues throughout the school. This includes: developing own area of professional expertise and advising other teachers; mentoring and supporting probationer teachers; and taking responsibility to forge stronger links between the school and parents and other groups.

3.    The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers has launched a new Code of Practice on the Role of the Chartered Teacher. This Code compliments the revised Standard for Chartered Teacher by giving illustrative examples of the professional actions outlined in the Standard.

4.    Universities offer 12 module programmes to achieving Chartered Teacher status. Automatic salary increments come with completion of every second module. On completion of the whole scheme, the salary rise is approximately 23 per cent above the normal maximum for a classroom teacher (i.e. #40,941 compared with #33,399 from April 2009).

5.    Over 2,700 teachers have completed at least one module of the programme. 904 have completed the programme as a whole with 669 coming through the GTCS accreditation route (which is now closed to new applicants) and 235 through the programme route. 435 are from the primary sector and 459 from the secondary sector. 756 are female and 148 are male.

Contact: Tom Whittles, 0131 244 2530

University of West Scotland

charteredteacher-newsletter.pdf

The attendance was a little disapointing and there was discussion about how we encourage more staff to attend this and ensure they get value from it.  You’ll see from section 1 in the minutes there’s a few suggestions but basically there are a few questions:

• is twilight the best time?
• could we identify a Friday afternoon that wasn’t be used for a CAT/CPD session – would this be better?
• What format should we consider – a big group meeting, group members sorted into modules to support each other through these, a CT conference, a cluster working model for CTs.  Any other suggestions welcome!

I will be emailing out to the group but please post any comments or suggestions here as well.  Once I get a response I will send out with a further date for the meeting(s)!

chartered-teachers-meeting-sep-07.doc

ch-teacherissue_8.pdf

Please click on the link below to take part

On Being Professional