January 2009 - Posts
I have received the info below from Becky Parker at Simon Langton Boys School. I think this needs a pretty good graphics card so you may need to choose the machine you use carefully!!
My name is Becky Parker and I run the Langton Star Centre at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury. I wanted to bring an exciting new development to your attention. We are working with a group of computer experts to develop a new kind of virtual learning environment. It is called umgumbo and students of all ages at our school have found it really enjoyable.It is very visual and looks rather like a computer game. As well as being a game we will be producing lots of visual science teaching materials and these will be part of umgumbo.Do go and have a look at umgumbo and try it out: www.umgumbo.com. If you think it may be interesting to your school then please let the people at umgumbo know. The site offers several ways to send your feedback. It would be great if we could all help to get this innovative resource up and running.
I have received the information below (and in zipped file attached) about some free revision classes being offered by the SE Physics Network. I hope you'll take advantage of this free support.
The South East Physics Network is a partnership of universities across the South East, including Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway and Southampton. We have funding from HEFCE for a 5 year outreach project aimed at GCSE science students to encourage uptake of A Level physics. This is the first year of the project and we are running three different revision events - one on energy, one on radiation and radioactivity and one of electronics and careers.
The University of Kent is one of the universities hosting all three of these events and we are currently trying to raise the profile of the project within schools to encourage uptake. The dates at Kent are 27th February for event 1 and 27th March for event 2. Bookings are open for the first event until the end of January.
If you'd like more support for science teaching and learning why not consider an HLTA. The attached file gives some more detail and where you can find out even more. The team promoting this in Kent are particularly keen on getting more science HLTA's in place. This could be the answer to improved G & T support or perhaps a way of ensuring better intervention with those falling behind expected progress levels. Go on, lift the phone and find out more!
The ASE advisers Committee is currently conducting GCSE surveys to elicit feedback from teachers and pupils about the 2006 courses. The surveys are web based, with a simple hyperlink to access them and should not take long to complete. The cut off date for responses is 13th February 2009. I have attached further details and hope that some of you will complete this. Further details are attached. (Click on title to find attachment.)
You should get your new 2009 disc shortly. Please remember to get rid of the old one and use the new one from now on. Please remember that Kent are fully paid up to use their services. You can call them with any H & S issue (or other advice needed) directly. If they give advice which includes a warning about local rules, there are none that I am aware of for Kent. This means in all matters, I agree with the advice given by CLEAPSS. After all, they are the experts!
There is a Literacy in science course planned for the 11th February at the Ramada Hotel, Maidstone. This one day course will support the development of teaching to improve students’ writing, reading and group work skills in science.
The Spring Subject Leader day details can be found in the booklet (link below). These will cover APP materials and possibly Gifted and Talented materials as well (if we think we’ll have time).
To sign up for these courses use the link below or telephone 01622 203800 and ask for Training and Development section.
Link to web page:- http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/ask8/ask8_professional_development.cfm
Choose Secondary Training Programme and go to p. 14 / 15 for details. At the back of this booklet is a printable booking form. Alternatively, follow the link below the Secondary Training Booklet and use the on-line booking system.
We have arranged 6 meetings throughout the county to discuss current and future support for all teachers and technicians working in science. You should have had a letter and flier about this in schools. The meetings will take place after school in late January / early February. To book on to a course phone 01622 203800 and ask for the appropriate contact person (see below). Please advertise this meeting within your department. Hopefully we can get some support groups going which might prevent every school re-inventing the wheel on a number of pertinent issues. We will also include some information about Learning Skills for Science, the new APP materials, future training and a news update session.
| Date |
Venue |
Local Learning Network |
Booking Contact Name |
| 27.01.09 |
St Gregory’s Comp |
Sevenoaks and West Kent |
Amy Raggett |
|
9.02.09 |
Harvey Grammar |
Ashford & Shepway |
David Phillips |
| 03.02.09 |
Dartford Girls Grammar School |
North West Kent |
Amy Raggett |
| 04.02.09 |
Simon Langton Boys Grammar School |
Canterbury/Swale |
Kerry Miles |
| 05.02.09 |
Walmer Science College |
Coastal East Kent |
Kerry Miles |
| 10.02.09 |
Maidstone Girls Grammar |
Maidstone & Malling |
David Phillips |