Session 79 – Teacher Collective Voice 2012

Thursday 5th January 2012. Session Title: How do we as the real education profs make our collective voice heard in 2012? It’s time many in our profession woke up to what is happening! (via @philallman1)

Session Summary:

It is difficult to summarise this session, as a lot of the feeling comes out through the tweets shared during the session. Therefore, please read through the tweets below, which should help you get a flavour of the discussion.

Notable tweets from the Session:

@eylanezekiel – #ukedchat Teachers voices wld be heard better & valued in policy if the culture of defensiveness was removed along w/  poor practitioners

@passionateaboot – @philallman1 @bellaale #ukedchat Broadcast your good practice and successes far and wide, with the resultant impact

@PeterSpencer88 – #ukedchat I agree that striking is rarely effective, but with a government that doesn’t want to listen, what else can we do?

@JOHNSAYERS – More open forum time for the public/ parents/MPs to see/hear great ideas initiatives so teachmeets in the open in cities etc #ukedchat

@mikemcsharry    – I’d tell them the future depends on giving you guys the chance to do the outstanding job   you’re  capable of #ukedchat

@bellaale – #ukedchat striking re pensions is one thing… getting our professional ideas across re policy issues is quite another…

@mikemcsharry    – Invite more business folks into your way of thinking – let them help to give you a voice #ukedchat

@mattpearson – Teachers views have not been heeded by politicians for 30 odd years.  We probably need a new breed of politician… #ukedchat

@mtiplady – Teachers portrayed in negative light too often in media…as well as most public sector. #ukedchat

@bevevans22 – #ukedchat There seem to be 2 areas for discussion here: sharing ideas with the wider teaching community & dealing with the political side

@davidhunter – what, ‘collectively’, do you all want to say?don’t we all gave different ideas about how things should be done, hence #ukedchat

@eylanezekiel – #ukedchat teachers have a lot more tools than strikes, and, like other prof groups, should use portfolios, research, and buying power more

@mattbuxton10 – Politics is about the collective whilst Education is about the individual; how about policies & ideas which place primacy on ind? #ukedchat

@SirBlimelyWindy – #ukedchat I fear that state education has been fatally splintered, with different schools being favoured

@mikemcsharry – Find out who will be the ‘thought influencers’ looking forward – and engage with them #ukedchat

@mattpearson – Seriously, the #ukedchat free school could work. 5 million quid from the tax payer, and we could do it all virtually… #ukedchat

@mister_jim – I think getting our point across needs to come through transparency of teaching/schooling & leadership #ukedchat

@dockers_hoops – In terms of having our voice heard, we need to be using new media instead of old and to collaborate as much as possible #ukedchat

@CliveSir – What percentage of teachers blog, tweet? How representative are you? #ukedchat

@passionateaboot – #ukedchat Can you look at this from a different perspective? Who changes hearts and minds successfully – how do they do it?

@dan_bowen    – @bevevans22 #ukedchat more Twitter more teachmeets more something New I feel.  Edu is settling down ….maybe the rise of New cpd models

@jemimaanderson – Teacher Learning Community inspired by Dylan Wiliam is one way to create environment where teachers are professionals  #ukedchat

@CliveSir – To get your voice heard you need to leverage media, with strong, coherent messages #ukedchat

@MrChambersRE – If kids are predicted below target, our fault. Over target, something’s dodgy. On target, not challenged #ukedchat #cantwin #teachers

@barton1875 – Lets remember who we are in this for. If it is good for the kids it is worth it no matter who knows about it, does it matter? #ukedchat

@kvnmcl – We continue innovating our teaching and celebrate  the learning that occurs from that innovation by sharing it with others #ukedchat

@Fiona_Davis – @janbaker97 I’ve learned more from #ukedchat and following teachers, than I have from the last goodness knows how many courses I’ve been on.

@PeterSpencer88 – #ukedchat as a supply teacher I feel so out of touch, Twitter is a great help for collaboration and ideas and encouragement

@jemimaanderson – Teachers have to embrace Learning Communities.  They are empowering and let us set the agenda for change in our classrooms.   #ukedchat

@Fiona_Davis – @PeterSpencer88 #ukedchat There is so much support here, and fresh ideas keep coming every day. The sheer enthusiasm of ed professionals….

@jemimaanderson – CPD should no longer be about rounding us up to fill our heads with content but teachers discussing their aims as professionals #ukedchat

@TheHeadsOffice – If I were a HT now I’d sort my staff out a twitter account, find out about TMs & either run or go to 1 instead of staff meeting!  #ukedchat

@kvnmcl – No hidden agendas/methods, share everything that works and doesn’t. Use any communication to get the message across #ukedchat

@Queen_Claire – Have met some influential people and discussed ideas with them through my uni. Would recommend doing PhD to any teacher #ukedchat

@CliveSir – The issues need focus – the message needs to be coherent and strong – you need champions, individuals or groups #ukedchat

@chrisleach78 – I’d love to work in a school where every teacher was EXPECTED to be on Twitter and blog #ukedchat

@EA_Holmes    – Ed writers should ideally be experienced educators. Much ed writing/comment not nuanced enough. Doesn’t challenge enough #ukedchat #values

@dockers_hoops – Until collaboration replaces competition we won’t genuinely improve and this is the key message which needs to be heard #ukedchat

@jamesdhobsonuk – Influencing policy is difficult because to get into influential position entails supporting orthodoxy. This has been me at times!  #ukedchat

@Heatherleatt – Lobby local politicians. Schools/acads still need to engage with LA as senior officers have contact with DfE and govt ministers #ukedchat

@davidErogers – Although tech helps me develop and I love being a geek, I still think that face to face is the way to build lasting relationships #ukedchat

@ianaddison – Whatever happens, I will continue sharing no matter what. It makes sense doesn’t it? #ukedchat

@jemimaanderson – Books and journals work for many.  No compulsory CPD.  Twitter and online learning is not for all.  Let teachers decide. #ukedchat

@mister_jim – a new idea – like an effective education system – will be rejected by the hegemony as it is radically different to existing policy #ukedchat

@CliveSir – @SirKenRobinson has a dig at Gove at 18’26″ on the School of Life video http://t.co/qjDssMOY #ukedchat

@mtiplady – #ukedchat doesn’t help when some misinformed people dont understand how twitter can b used positively.

@mberry – @chrisleach78 draft master teacher standards say “they engage with professional networks beyond the school” sounds like #ukedchat to me.

@Spencerayres – Has to come from within. Policy makers, Govt, leaders etc won’t make changes, so we as teaching practitioners have to force it #ukedchat

@GeorgeEBlack – #ukedchat the thing is the students we have now are going to leave us behind if we don’t change and then promote our teaching.

@philallman1 – We care, we do wonderful stuff, that its the best profession in world – if we R allowed 2 do it R way 4 the chn in front of us! #ukedchat

@BobToms100 – Don’t believe hype, don’t believe press & don’t believe the Gove… is it as simple as that? Don’t believe them, believe in urself #ukedchat

@MartindalePaul – Politicians not int in the professions voice – will have conv everyone to academies soon & we’ll just be a way of inc profits! #ukedchat

@TeacherToolkti – Profession needs positive PR to improve profile/respect/quality & outcomes. #Gove & limited #natcurr, #teachToTheTest doesn’t help #UKEdChat

@GeekPeter – #ukedchat I read in the press of a school where the Head was delighted with improving results, insiders say its terrible working there!

@mattpearson – Final thoughts. Teachers in Finland are very respected. All have MAs, and it is very very hard to become a teacher in Finland.. #ukedchat

@dockers_hoops – We need to show our profession at very best as much as possible. Positivity and celebrating success are crucial. Ed Essex? #ukedchat

@MoreThanMaths – @Educationchat When my friends say that I usually offer to job swap for a week. No takers yet for my cushy job with short hours #ukedchat

@In2schools – Been following a busy and idea bustling #ukedchat tonight with interest, observer rather than participant but lots to think about as result

@mattpearson – we need a national body to inform policy making based on research and evidence, A bit like NICE for the teaching… #ukedchat

@janeconsidine – Power to the people! Need coherent voice communicating our beliefs, feelings & ideas. Perhaps collected on a teacher’s voice site #ukedchat

@Spencerayres – So many amazing things happening in Education, we need to focus on the positive and look to the future of our students #ukedchat

@BobToms100 – I love my PLN, esp. during #ukedchat I will try my best here, esp. against the odds. Education & needs is not fully understood by many here.

Tweet of the Week:

@davidErogers – Gove isn’t in my classroom and we shouldn’t do anything for politicians or ofsted but cos it’s the right thing to do #ukedchat

LINKS:
@bobharrisonset – The purpose of education? e-petition for Commons debate http://t.co/cdREAZ99 #ukedchat
@amazingict – Great discussion, dont forget lots of us ex LA staff are in schools. Ive worked in 8 this week using  http://t.co/RgEhqtvq #ukedchat

FULL ARCHIVE:

Is available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/77353391/Ukedchat-Archive-05-January-2012

#UKEDCHAT Next Week:

Next week, we are joined by @danhaesler, a UK educator now living and working in Australia. He was described as, “…doing wonderful work in incorporating some of the concepts of positive psychology with his vision of a 21st century education. His articles are both engaging and thought provoking.” (via http://danhaesler.com/)

His questions are:

• As a teacher. what do you see the purpose of education as being? Is this at odds with what society/businesses/govt see as being the purpose of education? How do you (do you have to?) reconcile this?
• The Govt has decided that schools will have complete autonomy over the delivery of computers, design & technology and citizenship. Given that these are arguably the most important issues facing society in the 21st century what are our thoughts on this? How much resource will schools put into the aforementioned, when assuming these won’t be able to be assessed nation-wide, a la numeracy and literacy?
• Academies – Friend or Foe?

You can vote at http://twtpoll.com/w33m8p

 

 

Session 53 – Thursday 7th July 2011

Session Title:

Is it possible to measure successful learning without an exam-driven approach?

Summary of Discussion:

At a time when the government is bringing a different point of view to assessment, the question triggered a lively discussion and raised quite a few points, some of which reminded me of the #purposed campaign and all the blog posts that were written as part of that! Accountability and being able to show what students have learnt is obviously very important, as is deciding how well schools are doing their job. A range of approaches to assessment is really important.  It’s not always easy to measure learning as it is often a messy process and AfL was obviously valued by many as it gave a clearer picture of how to move learning forward with students. There was a debate (that went on into Friday!) about whether APP was an efficient or effective way of providing information about learning. Some had more positive experiences, some felt it had the right principles but the implementation had been too paperwork-heavy, some had developed their own school approaches to AfL. The introduction of distinction grades, A** and A*** was also discussed and it was pointed out that publishers and exam bodies have a vested financial interest in continuing the use of exams. The use of portfolios and e-portfolios was suggested as a way forward by some; it was also noted that the emphasis on exams in Wales, Finland and Denmark is slightly different. There’s no easy answers to the question of measuring learning, but there was a strong feeling that exams were not the only way forward.

Notable Tweets from the Session:
Dunfordjames : @janwebb21 I think a start would be a profession led from the top by teachers. If we weren’t a political football it would be great!

SheliBB:
@ukedchat @janwebb21 No need for exams if AFL is used properly and well.

Comprof1:
RT @ICTmagic: Don’t think there is one blanket method to accurately assess progress which covers all subjects – including written tests. #ukedchat

GaryAveryICT:
What is successful learning?? Passing tests or being all you can be (and more) #ukedchat

Mikeatedji:
RT @CreativeEdu: Don’t exams primarily test how good you are at exams? #ukedchat

PivotalEllie:
@barton1875 Yes I agree. Self-assessment and self-target setting can massively increase motivation. #ukedchat

Comprof1:
RT @ICTmagic: My class have just been and got back their SATs and I can say that they do not reflect the ability of the children. #ukedchat
USCTeacher:
Ton of ways to measure success – also a ton of diff ways to measure what success is – we need to know what we’re measuring first #ukedchat

hilldwellertom1:
Inspections? RT @astirrup34 #ukedchat if there were no exams how would schools be judged? Just asking?!

PostFilm:
#ukedchat in Higher Ed reasons for exams were (1) difficult to plagiarize (2) good test of ability to work under pressure (3) quick to mark

Mikeatedji:
#ukedchat also, how can exams possibly assess attitudes or values? They can’t surely…But exams skew the learning woefully

@nellmog: @janwebb21 none of the subjects I teach at A’level/BTEC have exam driven approach. Its impossible to teach to test>there isn’t 1 #ukedchat

Sundayteatime:
@CreativeEdu 8 times for me. It was a good lesson in failure #ukedchat

IaninSheffield:
Wondering what ‘successful’ learning looks like? Identify that and we can say whether exams are needed or not #ukedchat

KnikiDavies:
@janwebb21 @thomascutts #ukedchat Yes that is a very good point. “Levelness” is quite a hard thing to grasp sometimes

Dunfordjames:
#ukedchat change the factory model of education, treat children like individuals. Wide range of testing. Holistic view.

Natachakennedy:
#ukedchat the prob is simply that tests are not REALLY used to assess pupils progress, they are used to assess teachers. This is wrong.

tim7168: RT @natachakennedy: #ukedchat Consistenmtly the best ed system in the world, Finland, has NO tests/exams until you get to college.

PivotalEllie: RT @john_at_muuua: @mattbuxton10 @janwebb21 LOL. Data as a weapon is precisely what OfSTED ninjas use. #ukedchat

Tweet of the Week:
SusanElkinJourn: @CreativeEdu @john_at_muuua Well they (exams) might have a (small) role. But must’t let tail wag dog. #ukedchat

CreativeEdu: I think it’s important to have an open mind @john_at_muuua probably not a skill you learnt by sitting exams…. #ukedchat

Web Links Highlighted During the Session:

http://www.pivotaleducation.com/the-essential-guide-to-classroom-assessment/

http://www.hgfl.org/index.cfm?s=1&m=1&p=107,index&res=&kw=&el=&sc=1,2,19,20,21,22&start=81

http://www.lancsngfl.ac.uk/curriculum/math/index.php?category_id=240

http://seattleducation2010.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/mathematical-intimidation-driven-by-the-data-by-john-ewing/

http://ucasu.com/campaigns/ema_statement

About your Host:

Teacher and learner from Cheshire– secondary trained and experienced, now teaching primary; ICT coordinator; recently e-learning lead teacher then Primary ICT Consultant with local authority; Currently seconded to Microsoft – managing the Innovative Teacher programme as part of the Partners in Learning network. Interests include online collaboration tools – wikis, learning platforms, web 2.0 tools; using technology to enhance teaching and learning; trying out new ideas; studying for Masters in Education and researching Digital Learning Dialogue. Blogs at janwebb21.com and blogs.msdn.com/teachers

Session 48 – Thursday 2nd June 2011

Session Title:

What could senior leaders do to make your practice better? (via @theheadsoffice)

Session Summary:

This was one of the toughest ukedchat sessions to moderate, as it was a catalyst for participants to share their frustrations about leadership teams within schools. This was evident across the primary and secondary sectors, but once again similarities were seen.

Many frustrations were shared, such as not allowing teachers the opportunity to be creative; Senior Leaders focusing too much on targets and results; expecting a uniformity across the school; a lack of respect, and a certain arrogance.

It was necessary to call everyone back together within the discussion at times. One question asked was whether it is right to have non-teaching staff (admins) part of the Senior Leadership or not. There was a mixed response to this, as some felt that non-teaching staff would not have an appreciation of what happens in the classroom, whereas others felt it would bring a fresh pair of eyes to a senior leadership team that would focus on the business side of a school. Likewise, inviting non-Senior Leader teachers to attend meetings during a half term would make the whole process more transparent.

The pressure that educators are under from Senior Leaders was also highlighted, especially with new initiatives being taken on whole-heartedly by the team, with the expectation that staff embrace such changes within their practice, which adds further pressure on individuals and teams. If Senior Leaders keep a touch on what happens in the classroom, it was felt that this would be better understood before further new initiatives were raced through.

Therefore, Senior Leaders should:
- Always support staff in trying something new, and backing this up financially whenever possible. There is usually a way.
- Always treat staff as professionals, give teachers the total respect they deserve and you will be respected for it.
- Be supportive, innovative & approachable.
- Take away my pressures and allow creativity to flourish and support it.
- Proactive not reactive leadership
- Treat me as a professional & not insist on moronic paperwork.
- Place learning at the heart of everything
- Must use new technology and not avoid it, “get with it”
- Provide support structure for EVERY aspect of teaching, planning, marking, pastoral role etc and Work Life Balance.
- Lead the staff team by good example, they should listen, care, respect and be forward thinking.
- Make sure all team members are valued by inclusion in the school vision and recognised for their efforts and achievements.

It was acknowledged that each setting is different, so the above list will clearly not be relevant to all involved in the running of schools, but it is well worth re-visiting and reminding leaders of these qualities every now and then. Good luck with that. Please also refer to the tweet of the week.

Eye-Catching Tweets from the Session:

@matthewbritton #ukedchat Always support staff in trying something new, and backing this up financially whenever possible. There is usually a way.
@Catriona_O #ukedchat the 1st role of leaders is to develop the staff they manage. G Donaldson – #TSF(teaching Scotland’s Future review). Through PRD?
@matthewbritton #ukedchat Always treat staff as professionals, give teachers the total respect they deserve and you will be respected for it.
@Tutors4gcse SMT should encourage and develop innovative practice – too many sessions have become mundane so no wonder learners are disengaged #ukedchat
@bellaale Learning & teaching still the central focus: SMT need to ensure CPD is effective #ukedchat
@tas_sasso #ukedchat Staff should be given the opportunity to implement new ideas, not be given a new initiative to try every week. Do one thing well!
@Creativeedu Senior Leaders need to keep their hand in in the classroom if they’re to be in a position to guide and advise #UKEdChat
@MrG_ICT #ukedchat Recognise that they should be helping us to make our practice better, and not jumping to each new initiative.
@Creativeedu SLT can make a huge difference by Implementing a clear, practical and consistent behaviour policy #UKEdChat
@Jane010879 #Ukedchat This discussion will just end up being an impossible list though. SMT are people too (I think) – maybe they just need to listen?
@bellaale Too many managers are great talkers, not great listeners #ukedchat
@JamiePortman SMT need to develop a culture where development does not depend/centre around SMT. Best teachers develop themselves & help others #ukedchat
@respectmycrest @colport supportive, innovative approachable #ukedchat
@TheHeadsOffice Saddens me to hear so many of you unhappy with the leadership in your schs! #ukedchat
@chris_1974 #ukedchat our biggest innovations and moves forward have come from Middle Leaders implementing SLT agenda. SLT have to allow this to happen.
@Catriona_O #ukedchat a good leader/ht/dht will move beyond empire-building & see sharing( practice) w/ a neighbouring school as his/her responsibility
@colport How about non-teaching staff (admin) being a part of the SMT/SLT? #ukedchat
@Timshel82 @colport there are a couple of these in my school and I don’t think it works well #ukedchat
@bellaale A great manager – someone who can relieve pressure on staff, allow time for development > better L & T #ukedchat
@jackieschneider #ukedchat – school leadership = top down, prescriptive, & not very equal opps #ukedchat
@tas_sasso IMO the best leaders are the ones who take away my pressures and allow creativity to flourish and support it. #ukedchat
@SynechismLtd Senior Leaders need to empower people, give them space, make sure they’re happy and be evangelists for the vision. Not micromanage #ukedchat
@PetermSkelton @Dunfordjames some of best CPD sessions I have been to are ones I was reluctant about.Good to have ideas pushed onto you sometimes #ukedchat
@colport Not seen many answers to the question tonight “What could senior leaders do to make your practice better?” #ukedchat
@jackieschneider @colport – trust my professional judgement #ukedchat
@ICTmagic @craftyslh I hate not being in the loop and finding things out at the last minute. I do like to be organised. #ukedchat
@john_at_muuua @colport I lost track of the topic. My answer is simple…. trust their teachers #ukedchat
@Catriona_O @colport #ukedchat – support you in professional learning through CPD!
@NickiA10 @colport pastoral support, taking pressure off, being a critical friend, #ukedchat
@bellaale proactive not reactive leadership #ukedchat
@DanielHugill A good SLT will listen to their staff. Really listen and be willing to change their mind. They are surrounded by professionals. #ukedchat
@jackieschneider @colport – treat me as a professional & not insist on moronic paperwork #ukedchat
@Jane010879 @colport Creating an environment where sharing resources and ideas is the norm as opposed to something that is part of appraisals. #ukedchat
@SynechismLtd Great to see #ukedchat so busy tonight, although we wonder how many have taken up these issues with their SLT?
@geraldhaigh1 Empower, support, communicate, yes. But do not back away from a clear instruction. “Just do that, OK?” Vagueness causes confusion.#ukedchat
@DanielHugill Sometime I think SLT get distracted from the important things too. They deal with a lot of nonsense too! #ukedchat
@ICTmagic @colport Don’t look over my shoulder. Trust me. I’m actually quite good at what I do & I have papers that prove it! #ukedchat
@bellaale place learning at the heart of everything #ukedchat
@bilehs our HT lets us all teach in our preferred way. No whole-school approach, but eclectic mix of creative stuff. It works well #ukedchat
@primarypete_ 1/2 Mike Hughes says schools are red or blue. Red=top down. ‘Do this because of this’. Blue=more bottom up. ‘get people on board.. #ukedchat
@Creativeedu common themes: really listen, care, continue learning, support, guide, trust and share the vision #UKEdChat
@primarypete_ 2/2 by getting them to realise that what you want them to do as a leader is what they want to’. Which is your school red or blue? #ukedchat
@eduKatescom @colport by failing to have clear vision. If I can see the road map I’ll find my own way forward – but no map = disaster #ukedchat
@craftyslh SMT must use new technology and not avoid it, “get with it” #ukedchat
@MattFothergill Most important for SMT to provide support structure for EVERY aspect of teaching, planning, marking, pastoral role etc and WLB #ukedchat
@Creativeedu SLT should lead the staff team by good example, they should listen, care, respect and be forward thinking. #UKEdChat
@hairlikeeddy #ukedchat Making sure all team members are valued by inclusion in the school vision and recognised for their efforts and achievements.

Tweet of the Week:

This one sneaked in after the discussion, but summed it all up for me:
@ePaceonline: Best schools nuture staff as well as pupils and provide a safe, secure environment for all to flourish. #ukedchat

About you Host:

@colport AGAIN!!! Sorry, will try to get more people on board!

Session 17 – Thursday 14th October 2010

Session Title

Reported school budget cuts: 20%. Average percentage primary school budgets are salaries: 83% with some over 90%. What, if anything will change?

Summary of Session

Liam Byrne, the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury, last week wrote a
letter for his successor – the Liberal Democrat David Laws – stating: “I’m
afraid to tell you there’s no money left.” The Times, May 17, 2010.

Times are tough, every day it seems like there is another announcement that another budget has been cut. Add to this the threat of up to 40% budget cuts in government departmental spending and the next couple of years we are going to have to watch the pennies!

I don’t believe the education budget will get cuts in this order of magnitude, but even if it is 10%, 5% even, it will make schools think about what they spend.  Especially considering that the average % spend on salary out of a schools budget is between 85% and 90%.

What, if anything will your school cut to make ends meet? Will PPA stay? Do you think it will make your school think about becoming an academy? Do you think it will be as bad as I have gloomily predicted?!

Eye-Catching Tweets from the Session

scottjacques01: Traditional CPD, such as going on courses, is usually one of the first casualties of tight budgets #ukedchat

DianneSpencer: #ukedchat I suspect for the next 2 yrs much of the budget cuts will be aimed at LA costs, resulting in loss of services to schools.

chrismayoh: Would largely agree to be fair > RT @colport: Learning Platforms seem to be an easy budget cut within schools / Local Authorities #ukedchat

mister_jim: controvertial for a ICT leader but I think I would rather have an extra teacher in any subject than extra projectors… #ukedchat

primarypete_: Really interesting #ukedchat so far. Diff schools will prioritise diff. Ppa gone and assoc staff then TA’s is my guess.Not my opinion though

Jamesashton20: I’ve been in a school recently where they dont have PPA because the start half hour later and finish half hour earlier everyday! #ukedchat

DianneSpencer: @chrisrat #ukedchat so how do you square 50+ hours of management time required each week with an additional 23 hrs teaching in class?

DianneSpencer: @chrisrat #ukedchat what paperwork needs cutting? risk assessments fmsis, health/ safety audit, annual audit,workforce census, peeps, lots!

SusanElkinJourn: @chrisrat @DianneSpencer Perhaps the paperwork has expanded to occupy the postholders. Variation on Parkinson’s law? #ukedchat

Joga5: @bevevans22 It is something like £20 million a year spent by teachers for their own classes #ukedchat

Tweet of the Week

SusanElkinJourn: #ukedchat No school is an island. Not healthy to pretend otherwise. Interschool collaboration vital for pupil learning, efficiency & CPD

Useful Links highlighted during the session:

www.teachers.tv/videos/roll-over-leases

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_edu_spe-education-spending-of-gdp

http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/Pages/valuablelessons_copy.aspx

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/spending-review/8035164/Spending-Review-what-it-means-for-the-Department-of-Education.html

http://www.theheadsoffice.co.uk/to-cut-or-not-to-cut-that-is-the-question/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/15/teachers-tv-ten-alps-itn

 

About the Guest Moderator:

I am the Sales Director for Scholastic Education based in Witney, Oxfordshire.  I ensure that our Education Sales Consultants speak with as many teachers and advise on the best resources to fit the needs of the school as they can. I aim to ensure that we provide the best possible resources, at the best possible price to the school – hopefully saving the school money!

In addition to that, I do a few other things, too long to mention here!  I blog at www.chrisrat.com, generally about anything that comes to mind, but the odd bit of education (learning logs, school councils etc) creep in!

Session 14 – Thursday 23 September 2010

Session Title

How do we manage resources effectively in these times of diminishing funding?

Summary of Session

I greatly enjoyed being part of #ukdchat tonight – there were so many creative ideas from people who are working within the constraints of diminishing budgets. There were some useful links and suggestions for resources, which can be found at the end of this post. There were some useful suggestions for saving and making money – freecycling, e-bay for unused printer cartridges, growing and selling vegetables. Printing was an obvious concern for costs – with photocopiers often proving a cheaper alternative when used as part of network for printing. Shopping around and ensuring best value – taking into consideration the TOTAL cost – was hugely important, though there were mixed experiences about outsourcing for e.g. printing – a reminder about the debacle about outsourcing maths tutoring to India at a very high cost, as recently reported, suggested we need to think carefully about this approach. There were two opposing schools of thought about ways of saving money – tech-free days or photocopied worksheet-free days, which seem to me to contradict each other!!! There’s some people who are experiencing paper allowances of a ream per term. Some schools have stopped buying teachers laptops; other teachers prefer to use their own higher-spec equipment (though some are advised that certain data/evidence is best kept on school equipment eg photos/film). There are pros and cons about using pupils’ own tech equipment though this seems an increasingly attractive prospect in these times of reduced budgets. CPD is expensive but just improving communications between colleagues about what does/doesn’t work can improve our own understanding (and, of course, twitter, #ukedchat, teachmeets continue to be valuable free cpd resources!) Using online tools and freeware may not have the same technical support as paid-for resources, though a personal learning network (PLN) through twitter may help answer our questions! But sometimes paying for a service/software can be very worthwhile for learning experiences and managing resources effectively. However, we need to make the most of the resources we have and use them to their full potential – even if that means re-visiting a tool as part of staff training. I picked two tweets for the tweet of the week because I think they are fundamental to the future of managing our resources effectively – we need to be able to use tools and resources that will save time for teachers, supporting a work-life balance (and that may be the tools that enable networking, idea sharing, crowd sourcing, creative commons resources and mutual support – those that prevent us re-inventing wheels that have already been invented!). We also need to be able to harness the tools that our students will be bringing to school – whether it is their mobile phone, smartphone or itouch, psp/ds, their own laptop/netbook. (And that will bring a lot of questions about network security, e-safety, wireless access, parity of opportunity and lots more, I’m sure!)

Memorable Tweets

@missbrownsword my kids went to a school that grew veggies and sold them to local pub for sunday lunches, made money for school & kept pub open! #ukedchat

@duckinwales #ukedchat links for further reading http://agent4change.net/grapevine/platform/645 & http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/)

@bevevans22 @duckinwales Final thoughts. Share money saving ideas, whatever they may be. Try to cut printing costs & shop around for resources #ukedchat

@colport@bevevans22 Ooh, the library…there is another resource we could all use that is free and usually local #ukedchat

@mberry @raff31 we (last school) had a tech free green day, even tried to do without electricity. #ukedchat

@colport Here is an idea for a free trip for pupils http://www.nsfw.org/ #ukedchat – Just need to pay for transport.

@MrMalcontent I do think that examples such as moviemaker are an untapped resource in too many schools. So easy to use with a bit of patience #ukedchat

@raff31 @DrAshCasey: @daviderogers @janwebb21 We used all kids devices and tech stuff on Technology Takeover day http://bit.ly/afGJWK #ukedchat

@colport I don’t think it is always about *free* resources, but getting value for money for product. Top example 2Simple suite of programs #ukedchat

@bevevans22 @daviderogers We are serial grant appliers too – helps with all sorts of things #ukedchat

@DuncanTigerHero @duckinwales we got students to make recycled pads from single sided extra print outs. We sold them at parents evening fairs etc #ukedchat

@mbht1 Networking all printers to photocopier has saved a small fortune in printing costs #ukedchat

@Jamesashton20 RT @janwebb21: RT @bevevans22: paint.net too although if school gonna get win 7 i love the new ms paint! tools similar to revelation natural

@bartoneducation #ukedchat speak to local printing firm about doing a print deal. Get parents to buy laptops. Only ones who can afford. Hijack PTA for ict.

@bartoneducation #ukedchat offer to trial stuff for publishers. Few hours for cheaper resources

@alee11 RT@simonhaughton #ukedchat Share your resources with others – gives you pleasure seeing others use & people often share things back

@bevevans22 There is a lot of freeware that comes in handy. Pivot Stick Figure, Ript, TuxPaint, Audacity, PhotoStory…all good stuff #ukedchat

@familysimpson Freecycle.org for old games consoles #ukedchat – tv s are popular give away at moment. I have 4 PS1 an a PS2 through this.

@GillDeCosemo @janwebb21 TES last week a school was outsourcing maths tuition to India £12/hr/ pupil. Not cheap!

@daviderogers RT @tonycassidy: I think the CPD suggestion on the link is a good one- save money by talking to each other #ukedchat

@tonycassidy @dailydenouement @Janeh271 @janwebb21 @daveterron there was a survey done which suggested the average was £300 a year #ukedchat (about teachers spending their own money on resources!)

@chrisrat PRT @andreacarr1 Quick 1 from me #ukedchat.Talk to suppliers.Most of us really want to help u stretch budgets.We’ll work with u <- so agree!

@MrMalcontent @janwebb21 holidays at different times of the year would cut down on the cost of foreign ones! #ukedchat

Amusing tweets:

@chrisrat My laptop is crying under the strain of video, photos,emails, #ukedchat, flipcam..may put it out of its misery by dropping it in the clyde

@deerwood perhaps we should give the kids more holidays, that would surely cut down on the costs? #ukedchat

Tweets of the week:

@JamesTheo #ukedchat Most pupils have nifty resources in their pockets: most mobile phones now come with apps from voice recorders to video cameras.

@DuncanTigerHero The resource which is most scarce at the moment is time #ukedchat

Links posted tonight:

http://ukedchat.wikispaces.com

http://dougwoods.co.uk/blog/cutting-ict-costs-and-the-need-for-tco/

http://agent4change.net/grapevine/platform/645

http://www.twinkl.co.uk/

http://www.wix.com/

http://www.toondoo.com/Home.toon

http://www.nsfw.org/

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/

http://apps4class.wikispaces.com

Session #1 Summary – 24/06/2010

Session Title – How can we get more teachers to use technology effectively in their teaching?

Summary more here

Despite the World Cup placing huge pressures on Twitter, the first session of the #ukedchat was very popular, with many joining in the debate. Many individuals from different sectors of education discussed. The full archive of all the comments can be found on the Wiki site. It was evident that a consensus was formed in that contributors felt that it was no good throwing lots of technology in the face of the adverse teacher, and that the job should be done slowing and smoothly with mentor programmes, showing colleague the positive effect on learning technology can have.