by The Editor | Mar 5, 2015
Education Secretary Angela Constance was at Mauricewood Primary School in Penicuik on Wednesday 4 March as part of National Digital Learning Week. Ms Constance visited the school to see how technology is being used to support a range of learning approaches.
Ms Constance saw a presentation about ‘The Moscars’, a project where groups of pupils used technology to develop a short film. She also chatted to pupils who are using technology in a variety of ways to find out more about other countries and their cultures in the MidVision IDL Project.
Schools across Scotland are showcasing how they use technology to support learning and making a pledge on what their next steps will be for digital learning and teaching.
Click here to read more.
by The Editor | Mar 5, 2015
Listen to the latest broadcast from Midlothian Schools’ Radio.This week it has been produced by P6C children from Woodburn Primary School and features an interview of the Depute Head Teacher, Mrs Sykes and news about a Comic Relief event next week. Ramage. Click here to listen. Contact the Learning Technology Team if your class would like to produce or contribute to future programmes.
by The Editor | Feb 13, 2015
All schools in Midlothian will have French added to their Education City package for one year. This is being funded from the 1+2 budget therefore we hope that all schools will make full use of this fantastic resource! Education City has offered to run a demo session for staff on Wednesday the 25th March at Lasswade High School 1600-1730 hrs. This session may be repeated if there is sufficient demand. This session is bookable via Learn Pro.
by The Editor | Feb 13, 2015
As publicised in the 1+2 newsletters and the Education Bulletin, there will be a two week L3 IDL project 20th April -01 May 2015. In order to ensure all teachers have the best possible preparation for this, we are running twilight sessions on Tuesday, 24 February 2015 and Tuesday, 03 March 2015 at Lasswade High School 1600-1730 hrs. These sessions will be identical in format and are scheduled over two weeks to allow for maximum attendance. The sessions should prove useful for giving teachers an idea of the expectations and also a template to plan and fully implement L3 in accordance with 1+2 Government policy. These sessions are bookable via Learn Pro.
by The Editor | Feb 9, 2015
The first heat of Euroquiz 2015 took place on Wednesday, 4th February at Gorebridge Primary. The organisers, 1+2 Language Development Officers, Kathryn Williamson and Margaret Ballantyne were delighted to welcome eight teams from Bonnyrigg, Lasswade, Tynewater, Gorebridge, St Andrew’s, Strathesk, Mauricewood and Stobhill.
The contestants were very enthusiastic and well informed! Christine Fitton, our visitor from the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) who run the Euroquiz, commented positively on their knowledge of the European Union. The Development Officers were gratified to see the buzz of excitement when the French examples appeared in the languages round. It was apparent from the reaction and the answers that there is a great deal of successful language learning going on across Midlothian as a result of the 1+2 Languages Approach.
There was also evidence of the success of A Curriculum for Excellence. We certainly had successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors! The pupils conducted themselves in an exemplary manner with great examples of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Congratulations to everyone involved for all their hard work and effort!
Strathesk and Lasswade battled it out for overall winner of this heat. A close competition resulted in Lasswade going through to the final of Euroquiz. This will take place in the debating chamber at the Scottish Parliament in May. We all wish them the best of luck!
by The Editor | Feb 4, 2015
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to improve your language skills and cultural knowledge! – notes of interest for Erasmus+ should go to all Points of Contact in schools by Monday, 9th February!
Erasmus+ is a great opportunity for teachers to participate in immersion courses in France, Spain (or other European countries) for a week during the school holidays. The Immersion Courses are supported by the British Council (UK), Léargas (Republic of Ireland), and other European Agencies under the new Erasmus+ (KA1) European funding programme.
Aims of Primary Immersion Courses
-To improve methodological expertise in the teaching of French to young learners
-To provide participants with materials and ideas suitable for the teaching of French at primary level
-To develop cultural awareness and understanding of contemporary France
-To improve participants’ competence and performance in French
-To use Internet and other ICT resources in your class
A quote from a Primary Teacher who took part:
“I took part in the Primary Teacher’s French Immersion Course in Salignac over the summer, and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The course was so well structured, the teaching and learning activities were excellent, and the tutors were so helpful and enthusiastic”.
by The Editor | Jan 20, 2015
Once again, the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio 2 wants to get the children of the UK firing up their imaginations and putting pen to paper, chisel to stone, quill to parchment, or just finger to keyboard by entering the 500 Words competition.
If you are aged 13 or under, you are invited to write a short story of 500 words about any made-up subject you like and send it to them via the website. Click here to visit the website
