SCHOLAR

These workshops  were aimed at teachers who have little or no experience of SCHOLAR or those in a senior position who want to gain some insight into the teaching and learning approaches that SCHOLAR supports.

Classroom lessons - Languages
This provided an overview of the SCHOLAR materials provided for language courses.A case study was presented on recent classroom experience of the materials.

Classroom lessons - Computing and Information Systems
An overview of the recently revised SCHOLAR materials was presented along side ideasand approaches that may be used in the classroom.

Classroom lessons - Business Subjects
The variety of Business Subjects now supported by SCHOLAR was demonstrated. In addition a case study of recent classroom experiences in using these materials was also presented.

These sessions examined the SCHOLAR pedagogy in the context of Curriculum for Excellence.  SCHOLAR materials are written to support independent learning and to encourage experiential learning and reflection.  This support was examined in the context of the four capacities and the workshops recommended approaches to lesson planning that provides opportunities to develop each of the four capacities.

Curriculum for Excellence - Successful learners
Examples were provided from the range of SCHOLAR subjects on how appropriate methodologies would encourage the development of successful learners. The sessionfocused on the capabilities including,

• learning independently and as part of a group
• link and apply different kinds of learning in new situations

Curriculum for Excellence - Confident individuals
Using examples from SCHOLAR materials, appropriate methodologies that encourage the development of confident individuals. The session focused on the capabilities including,

• developing and communicating their own beliefs and views of the world
• achieving success in different areas of activity

SCHOLAR and GLOW
Presented a case study of class work that encompassed GLOW, SCHOLAR and a range of other resources to improve teaching and learning.  The principles of Curriculum for Excellence and Assessment for Learning underpinned the approach.

These workshops illustrated how leadership at all levels will help bring about transformation in learning.  Aimed at leaders suchs Heads and Deputes; College Curriculum Leaders; Coordinators and Pathfinders, Principal Teachers and Faculty Heads; and teachers or lecturers with either a formal or informal leadership role in the promotion of ICT.

FE focus - A college strategy
Demonstrated how one college has embedded SCHOLAR within its Teaching and Learning strategy and illustrated the impact of SCHOLAR and other e-learning initiatives.  The recent evaluation report of SCHOLAR in Scotland’s Colleges was also used to reinforce its use as the way forward.

Managing SCHOLAR through GLOW - A tale of two cities
Dundee City created a SCHOLAR group within GLOW which led to effective promotion and management of SCHOLAR within that authority.  At the time of the conference (June 2009) Aberdeen was also undertaking the same approach.  The achievement of this effective approach was discussed within this workshop.

Assessment is for learning
Principles of formative assessment were addressed during this workshop and illustrated how SCHOLAR use can inform good practice when approaching assessment.  Reference was also made to Assessment is for Learning and the developing CfE Framework for Assessment within this workshop.

These workshops were aimed at teachers who have little or no experience of SCHOLAR or those in a senior position who want to gain some insight into the teaching and learning approaches that SCHOLAR supports.

Class lessons - Science
This provided an overview of the SCHOLAR materials provided for language courses. A case study was presented on recent classroom experience of the materials.

Class lessons - Maths
An overview of the recently revised SCHOLAR materials was presented alongside ideas and approaches that may be used in the classroom.

FE Focus - A SCHOLAR taster
The variety of Business Subjects now supported by SCHOLAR was demonstrated. In addition a case study of recent classroom experiences in using these materials was also discussed.

Tracking the learner
SCHOLAR features a sophisticated formative assessment system, Pass-IT, which can inform revision for students and next steps for the class teachers.  The system was demonstrated to show delegates how to oversee their students' progress using the Reporting System.

These sessions examined the SCHOLAR pedagogy in the context of Curriculum for Excellence.  SCHOLAR materials are written to support independent learning and to encourage experiential learning and reflection.  This support was examined in the context of the four capacities and the workshops recommended approachess to lesson planning that would provide opportunities to develop each of the four capacities.

Curriculum for Excellence - Responsible citizens
Examples were provided from the range of SCHOLAR subjects on how appropriate methodologies would encourage the development of responsible citizens. The session focused on the capabilities including,

• develop knowledge and understanding of the world and Scotland’s place in it.
• evaluate environmental, scientific and technological issues.

Curriculum for Excellence - Effective contributors
Using examples from SCHOLAR materials, appropriate methodologies that encourage the development of effective contributors. The session focused on the capabilities including,

• apply critical thinking in new contexts.
• solve problems.

Study and revision skills
Self study and revision are key areas for exam success.  The four capacities are vital to this respect.  The workshop presented recent work with young people on revision and study skills in an e-learning context.  Delegates were provided with ideas to take away with them and an indication of further support available.

These workshops illustrated how leadership at all levels will help bring about transformation in learning.  Aimed at leaders such as Heads and Deputes; College Curriculum Leaders; Coordinators and Pathfinders, Principal Teachers and Faculty Heads, and teachers or lecturers with either a formal or informal leadership role in the promotion of ICT.

Supporting independent learning
This workshop focused on the Discussion Board and other support for independent learning.  It examined how the pedagogy of the SCHOLAR materials supports learners and explored timetable constraints alongside current practice of flexible delivery.

Update for Pathfinders and Coordinators
This session provided a detailed update covering the following areas of SCHOLAR,

• new features and functionality.
• implications for the users.
• support available for pupil induction, revision skills and staff training.
• courses under development.