SCHOLAR

This is a very popular and successful event and is provided as a half day course (morning, afternoon or twilight) designed to introduce newcomers to SCHOLAR, or to provide a refresher course for those who may not have used the resource for some time.  It can be offered to groups of staff from a single subject (e.g. Maths Teachers) or from a variety of subjects; both have proved to be very successful.  IT staff and pupils support staff may also benefit from attending this course.

The course includes:

1. A demonstration covering the structure of the site, basic navigation, interactivities, quizzes and other built in features, along with suggestions for using SCHOLAR in lessons and links to CfE and AIFL.
2. A hands on session where staff practise using the site and find items to enhance the teaching and learning process, and improve the delivery of lessons.
3. Demonstration covering the special features including the assessment and reporting system, discussion boards, revision planner and search facility.
4. A further hands on session  concentrating on the special features and the use of SCHOLAR for revision and formative assessment.
5. Plenary - making effective use of the site.

A general presentation would normally last between 45 to 60 minutes and includes:

1. A demonstration covering navigation, using SCHOLAR in the classroom and special features - assessment and reporting systems, discussion boards, revision planner and search facility.
2. Suggestions for making effective use of SCHOLAR in the classroom.
3. Ideas to help pupils improve their revision skills and make effective use of the site.

N.B. This presentation can be tailored to meet a specific need.  For example, an Education Authority may ask for a shorter presentation focussing only on the assessment and reporting system.  Alternatively, the presentation could concentrate on staff use of SCHOLAR to address aspects of CfE and/or other national or authority initiative.  It would be for the authority representative, in discussion with the Area Coordinator, to decide on the content and length of the presentation.

This popular half day course (morning, afternoon or twilight) is designed to meet the needs of coordinators and pathfinders. It provides them with the knowledge and expertise needed to promote and ensure effective use of SCHOLAR across the school.  The course includes:

1. A presentation covering the main management issues: registration, passwords, software, organising a pupil induction or staff training event, promoting SCHOLAR, using subject handouts and an update on new developments.
2. Suggestions for using SCHOLAR to address the requirements of local and national initiatives such as CfE and AIFL.
3. A demonstration of the site, focusing on areas of most interest to the event participants.
4. A hands on session.
5. A plenary to discuss and plan the way forward in each school.

N.B. The course can be run for coordinators only or pathfinders only. However, it has proved most beneficial when run for both groups with each school sending the coordinator and pathfinder to the same event.

This presentation gives an opportunity for Head Teachers and/or authority personnel to become more familiar with the SCHOLAR site and to be brought up to date on all the exciting improvements recently implemented. The presentation would normally include:

1. A demonstration of the site including navigation and special features - assessment and reporting system, discussion boards, revision planner and search facility.
2. A demonstration of materials from different subjects which teachers have used to enhance the delivery of their lessons.
3. Examples showing how teachers have used SCHOLAR to address the requirements of national initiatives such as CfE and AIFL.
4. A short question and answer session.

N.B. This presentation can be adjusted to met the needs of the participants.  For instance, Head Teachers may only wish to see how SCHOLAR is used to improve the teaching and learning process, or how SCHOLAR can address the requirements of CfE.  It would be for the authority representative, in discussion with the Area Coordinator, to decide on the content and length of the presentation.