inspiring!
DAY 2 – 4th November 2009
Workshop Descriptions
1. The Dance School of Scotland
Dance, Movement and Learning
This practical workshop will introduce delegates to the potential of dance and movement for
developing confidence, for high quality learning, for working together and for taking
responsibility. It is aimed primarily at non-specialists who wish to develop their own confidence
in this area and to identify and build on the wider learning that takes place. The workshop will
allow delegates to experience a simple lesson structure exploring a theme. There will be time
built in for reflection on the learning process and a more general discussion about starting
points, themes and constructive working with young people of all ages.
2. National Youth Choir of Scotland
The impact of singing games on children’s learning
This will be a practical, “hands-on” workshop introducing singing and games appropriate to all
stages in the primary setting. Through participating in the various activities, delegates will
discover a logical, sequential and child friendly approach to the development of musical skills
whilst realising the impact that these activities have on the child’s holistic development.
3. Children’s Art at the National Virtual Arena of Scotland (CANVAS)
This workshop will provide a practical introduction to CANVAS. A summary of the project's
background will set the scene for a brief presentation linking CANVAS to AiFL, experiences,
outcomes and principles of CfE.
There will be an online demonstration during which delegates, either individually or
collaboratively, will have the opportunity to undertake activities relating to Art and Design
experiences and outcomes and provide formative feedback on a selected piece of work
displayed in CANVAS. Delegates will be given information about how to access CANVAS from
their own establishments.
4. Perth and Kinross Council
I can!
This workshop will focus on developing the Confident Individual, namely the child at the centre,
as well as the class teacher who may be lacking in confidence regarding the delivery of
challenging and creative ideas through the Expressive Arts curriculum. The workshop will also
outline how they are planning and implementing enjoyable, active and creative experiences
which will be based on CfE principles, experiences and outcomes. The focus is on Early Years
and the presenters will evidence how to demonstrate progression through Early and First
Stages. They will be linking activities to ‘Bounce Back’ Core Values namely Co-operation,
Responsibility, Self Esteem and Respect, thereby demonstrating meaningful interdisciplinary
links between Expressive Arts and Health and Well Being. The workshop will include video
footage of children across the stages (Nursery-P3) in a variety of settings. They will then deliver
an active workshop linked to the video which will be fun, innovative and informative. As Visiting
Music Specialists they have the responsibility to bring added value to the classroom, but they
also feel strongly that, through demonstrating different ideas and activities, they can inspire
class teachers to develop a more confident approach to learning through Expressive Arts, while
having fun in the process!
5. Scottish Qualifications Authority
NC Group Awards Development Programme
New Group Awards are now available in music; sound production; acting and theatre
performance; technical theatre; art and design and media studies. Each of these new National
Certificates is made up of a wide variety of NQ Units to provide opportunities for choice,
flexibility and specialism. Any of the Units which have been created for the new National
Certificates can be offered by schools and colleges on a free standing basis and this can offer
new, alternative pathways. In this workshop delegates will have the opportunity to find out more
about the new Units and Courses and consider a range of potential delivery options. They will
also be able to explore existing good practice and consider future practice.
A comprehensive information pack will be available.
6. St Margaret’s HS, North Lanarkshire Council
Drama-Moving towards a Curriculum for Excellence
This workshop will highlight the good practice that exists in the Drama department at the school
and how this links with the four capacities of CfE. The presenter will focus on areas such as
inter-disciplinary projects, the curriculum, and extra-curricular activities.
They will also introduce the school Drama Ambassador, and three other pupils who will deliver
short presentations, one of which highlights a very exciting project with an external agency.
7. Media Matters
In the Traditions of Scotland
This series of projects enables young people in schools to work alongside renowned Scottish
arts practitioners - using technology where appropriate. The workshop will focus on two in
particular, a printmaking project 'In the Hands of Willie Rodger' and another exploring the written
word 'In the Words of Liz Lochhead'. Both Willie and Liz will participate and answer questions
about their experiences. The workshop presenter will explain how young people learn from
experts and use assessment is for learning techniques to become more aware of their own
creative potential and to challenge themselves. The role of GLOW live links in helping young
people at different levels, in different schools and in different authorities to share ideas and
evaluate their work will be outlined. The workshop will also discuss why technology does not
always provide the answers to communication and collaboration within the expressive arts.
Young people and teaching staff will contribute to the workshop discussions. The ways in which
Expressive Arts subjects can work together will also be explored by looking at the ways in which
one local authority has linked a number of the projects into one coherent initiative, 'Joined Up
Learning', implementing literacy and numeracy, as well as the appropriate subject, outcomes
and experiences of a Curriculum for Excellence.
8. John Wheatley College
Digital media programme for young learners
This workshop describes a part-time school-college partnership programme for S3/S4 pupils
identified as being less likely to achieve in school. The programme introduces the young people
to a range of digital media activities in the college’s industry-standard multimedia suites,
including internet broadcasting, music making, sound recording, image manipulation and
presentation. College staff will show examples of learner work and explain how the exciting and
friendly college environment helps learners build on their own interests while learning complex
software packages. The workshop will also focus on how this kind of learning enables young
people to develop good personal and employability skills by attending regularly, becoming
punctual, developing positive attitudes, working with others and developing organisational skills.
The college’s approach to designing a holistic programme while offering SQA certification will
also feature in the discussion.
9. Lawmuir primary School, North Lanarkshire Council
Primary school art for non-specialists
The workshop will look at how non-art specialists have worked confidently and effectively with
children in a primary school. Examples of children’s work will be discussed in the context of
wider learning and links to other curriculum areas. The workshop will be about exploring and
sharing ideas and finding out more about how simple resources can lead to creativity,
successful learning and the development of confident individuals.
10. University of the West of Scotland
Seeing the Bigger Picture: drawing as a tool of engagement in curriculum reform
Drawing is the cross curricular activity par excellence and this workshop will explore how
drawing as a generic meaning making process can be used to make relevant and deep
connections between subject areas within Curriculum for Excellence. Looking across the
curriculum, this presentation and workshop will explore in some depth how diverse subject
areas can be shown to meaningfully correspond with each other when explored through the
medium of drawing. This presentation and workshop draws on many of the ideas and
methodologies developed during the Get drawn into Curriculum for Excellence project held at
the School of Education, University of the West of Scotland in October 2008.
11. Juniper Green PS and New Makars Trust, City of Edinburgh Council
The New Makars Trust
The New Makars Trust was formed in 1997 to support the development and performance of
songs about life in Scottish communities, and songwriters involved with the Trust have
completed numerous projects with young people of all ages in schools throughout Scotland.
Examples of the work of the Trust in different school settings will be described, followed by a
presentation of a particular project at Juniper Green Primary School by head teacher Karen
Noble and some of the children from the school. This will highlight ways in which the project
supported the aims of the Curriculum for Excellence. The workshop will conclude with an
opportunity for questions and discussion.
12. Borrowfield PS, Angus Council
Moving Image Education and Linking the Learning
In 2004 the Minister for Education and Young People launched the Moving Image Education
project in Angus, with the principal aim of raising attainment in literacy.
Five years on, and Moving Image Education (MIE) is providing a vehicle for learners throughout
the Authority to develop within the four capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence.
This seminar will consider how MIE is being used effectively by both primary and secondary
practitioners to enhance learning and teaching, engage learners and address literacy across
learning. Through the analysis, creation, exploration, appreciation, enjoyment and sharing of
moving image texts, teachers and learners are exploiting an accessible and engaging tool for
learning across the curriculum.
With the implementation of ACfE, practitioners are being encouraged and empowered to link
learning outcomes across the curriculum, and to make these links explicitly clear to learners.
MIE has been identified in Angus as an effective platform for both cross-curricular and
contextualised planning in primary settings, and as a way forward to improve and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and the teaching of literacy across learning in secondary.
13. Oasis
Oasis Youth Centre, Dumfries and Galloway Council
In this workshop, young people attending the centre will demonstrate some of the skills they
have developed in music performance and DJ-ing. They will also talk about the learning they
have undertaken and what it has meant to them in terms of confidence building and preparation
for life. Centre staff will be on hand to answer questions about how they work with young people
to identify their needs and to talk about the wide range of music-based learning opportunities
they offer. Staff will also talk about how this work fits with the four capacities of Curriculum for
Excellence
14. Sheila Page HMIE
Learning by Design
HMIE recently published a very positive report on creative digital industries programmes in
Scotland’s colleges. This workshop will describe how colleges introduce young learners to the
design process through projects in graphic design, illustration, photography and animation. The
importance of drawing, research, technical skills and project management will be discussed and
demonstrated through examples of learner work. Employer in the creative digital industries
demand high level personal attributes which are very closely linked to the four outcomes of
Curriculum for Excellence. The workshop will also talk about the wider learning that takes place
as learners undertake these programmes in preparation for employment in a competitive and
challenging environment.
15. Exhibition Area
Delegates will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition area and have a more in depth talk
with organisation representatives.