Microsoft Partners in Learning Camp Scotland #pilgf #msftpil

We've been a partner with Microsoft since 2003 around vocational qualifications but for the last six years  this has included  learning and teaching development opportunities  through the superb programme that is Microsoft Partners in Learning. 

There are now three Microsoft Innovative Schools in Scotland

Calderglen High School in East Kilbride,
Stirling High School in Stirling
Tynecastle High School in Edinburgh.

It should not be a secret that the Microsoft Partners in Learning Programme offers Scottish Teachers the opportunity to network in Scotland , across the UK and internationally. Scottish Teachers do really well in competitions like the annual innovative teachers awards - success at UK level can lead to European and Global events. You can read some reports from the recent Global Forum in Washington DC from three of our delegates here

Ollie Bray  Is writing his usual  full account of proceedings
Ian Stuart  An epic with some great photographs
Tony McDaid  Some nice reflections from a Head Teacher

There are always opportunities to get involved - it is worth following the Partners in Learning Blog http://blogs.msdn.com/b/teachers/

In January you could meet some of the team in Scotland !


In January Calderglen High School is hosting a Microsoft Partners in Learning Teaching Camp

Camp Scotland 

After the great success of the last three Microsoft Partners in Learning Teacher Camps, we are taking the concept on the road (to Scotland) – this is an open invitation to all Teachers in Scotland. So if you want to spend time with other innovative educators, then this is an ideal event for you.

Camp Scotland takes place at Calderglen High School, starting 10:00am on Thursday 26th and finishing 4:00pm Friday 27th January 2012.

What will I be doing at  Camp Scotland?

We will give you training in using free Microsoft software to create teaching and learning resources for the classroom. You will have time to design, create and evaluate those resources and collaborate with others. You will also get the chance to speak to experts at Microsoft about our technology. In addition you will also be learning how to deliver the same training to colleagues in your own schools. These resources will take the form of screen capture videos, which we call Innovids. You can see examples of these on the Partners in Learning YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/innovativeteach

How do I apply?

We don’t want videos or lengthy biographies from you, to apply for this free event, just email three tweet-esque type statements (140 characters or less) to ofrazer [at] calderglen.s-lanark.sch.uk  before the closing date  Friday 16^th December. These statements should be ideas of how you would, or are using Microsoft technologies to support learning across the curriculum. For example:-

• using conditional formatting in Excel to help visual learners in numeracy
• using PowerPoint to create animated flicker books
• using the Songsmith to create mobile ringtones

Also include details of your school, subject expertise and pupil age range in your application. We will select 25 applicants with the most intriguing and innovative ideas, who will be notified on Friday 13^th January.

I am not an ICT teacher is it worth me applying?

Yes, most definitely, we are looking for classroom innovators in learning, rather than techie whizz kids. This event is targeted at those Teachers in Scotland interested in teaching and learning, and how technology can support that, rather than the technology itself. This event is for teachers in Primary, Secondary and Special school settings.

What will I need to bring?

We expect you to bring some of the tools you are using already:

• a headset with a microphone or Headphones and a Microphone
• a laptop running Windows Vista or Windows 7,
• Office 2007 or 2010 (not essential)
• You need to have installed and have working , Community Clips  -Freely available at http://www.officelabs.com/projects/communityclips/Pages/Default.aspx
• We will send you a list of tools to download and install when we confirm your attendance.

What will I be expected to do?
We hope that you will create two innovid resources. We will collect those resources and post them to our YouTube Channel and GLOW.
In return, we will offer you support if you wish to recreate this course in your school and you will receive a certificate welcoming you as a Partners in Learning Teacher, along with more ideas about how to enhance pupil’s learning through the use of technology.

Appointment of VMware Cascade Centre

A communication went to all College Principals and Heads of Computing today -
Check with your SQA Coordinator for full  details.

The SQA  and VMware are seeking to appoint a national cascade centre for VMware - to work with SQA and VMware for three years in the first instance.

This is an opportunity to work directly with VMware and play a shaping
role in the development of VMware skills across Scottish Further Education
and the positioning of VMware Certification within the national
qualifications portfolio.

We are delighted to welcome VMware as a DIVA partner.

Appointment of Linux Cascasde Centre

Arriving in College Principal and Heads of Computing inboxes this week is an invitation to consider working with SQA and LINUX  IT . In partnership we hope to

·         Upskill staff in Colleges

·         Build capacity across Scotland to deliver open source qualifications

·         Ensure that appropriate recognition is given for open source qualifications

·         Build a sustainable relationship with the global open source community





vmware - Towards a Cacade centre

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Over the last few months we have been in discussion with VMWare and we are delighted that they are going to become a DIVA Partner . We expect to get a communication out to Colleges before Christmas

to College Principal and Heads of Computing to consider working with SQA and VMWare as a national cascade centre.

 In partnership we hope to

·         Upskill staff in Colleges

·         Build capacity across Scotland to deliver  qualifications

·         Ensure that appropriate recognition is given for VMWare

·         Build a sustainable relationship with the global VMWARE community

Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Training Opportunity

In June 2011 our first batch of Linux trainees enjoyed a week of staff development from Forth Valley College. Here are some happy smiling faces from the Scottish Further Education Computing Sector. The group of 12 included lecturers from across Scotland.

We are delighted that there is now another opportunity to build Linux expertise and capacity across the sector. The Linux awards like those of other DIVA partners are going through SCQF credit and levelling and will where needed sit inside HNC and HND Awards.

 Forth Valley College, in conjunction with LPI (Linux Professional Institute) are running a CPD opportunity for staff wishing to deliver the LPI-1 qualification within their own Centre. The training will be offered on 13th– 17th February. The course is free to any FE College. All courses run at Forth Valley College, Falkirk Campus . The 5 day training course will prepare participants for the Linux Professional Institute examinations LPI- 101 and LPI- 102 which when successfully achieved give LPIC-1 certification. For more information please contact Tony Dyer on 01324 403158 or e-mail tony.dyer@forthvalley.ac.uk

To book a place please contact Gillian Culbert  Gillian.culbert@forthvalley.ac.uk

Oracle Academy and Thinkquest Information Seminars

There are strong links between Higher Information Systems, a range of Higher National Units and the Oracle Academy Programme. Here is an opportunity to get involved both in the Oracle Academy Programme and to find out about Think Quest which offers opportunities across the curriculum and a lot of potential support for Curriculum for Excellence activities.

Diva Update

In the background over the last 12 months we have been reviewing, renewing and expanding the Digital and ICT Vendor Alliance. This is a culmination of the review of the original project.  As a reminder DIVA originally set out to encourage

·         Liaison with global vendors giving early insight into up-and-coming developments

·         The Mapping of vendor curriculum and certifications to SQA units

·         Encourage new and innovative qualification development

·         Develop the Provision of expert training in Scotland for teachers and lecturers

·         Identifying  opportunities for Scottish staff to attend key conferences

·         Allow access to free or discounted industry curriculum materials for both learners and teaching staff

·         Provide added value support and communications about vendor activities for teaching staff

As we reviewed the programme  with Colleges  and vendors  and relevant sector skills councils we identified a range of challenges that should be taken into account in any refreshed programme.

The review exercise led to a set of 10 recommendations as follows:

1.       Re-affirm and re-invigorate the role of DIVA as a strong vehicle for delivering SQA Corporate Business Plan 2009-2012 objectives and broader policy objectives.

2.       Raise the profile of DIVA within SQA, in particular assign responsibility as an internal DIVA Champion to a senior level post within SQA with a cross-departmental remit.

3.       Create a process for regular strategic level dialogue with DIVA vendor partners.

4.       Review the Lead Centre model to encompass cross-sector and cross-regional Lead Centre Partnerships, leveraging the benefits of existing vendor/education sector relationships.

5.       Expand the range of DIVA partners but review the selection criteria for which vendor developments to engage with, placing more emphasis on mapping to key industry trends and existing/predicted demand to ensure take up by learners and relevance to employers.

6.       Focus on mapping vendor certifications to awards rather than creation of vendor specific units, but take into account good practice in relevant vendor developments when building new units.

7.       Encourage vendors to submit their courseware and certifications for SCQF credit rating.

8.       Explore how DIVA can help to deliver the objectives of the Curriculum for Excellence development work.

9.       Address the sector requirements for stronger DIVA communications, showcasing and peer-to-peer networking opportunities.

10.   Use greater collaboration to achieve DIVA goals and leverage the potential benefits of DIVA.

Following the review we have spent the last six months working with Vendors to review and refresh our existing agreements. Over the next few months expect to see more announcements as programme moves forward in step with  A Digital Ambition for Scotland

Microsoft Partners in Learning

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  There are lots of opportunities for school teachers to see good practice in ICT. We now have three Microsoft Innovative Schools in Scotland and each year Microsoft holds their Partners in Learning Conference. We have had Scottish Innovative teachers flown  to European and Global destinations as part of the Partners in Learning Innovative teachers competition.

   If you know someone who is working wonders in the classroom using ICT please pass this message on.

The 8th Microsoft UK Partners in Learning Forum is a one-day conference, free of charge to all teachers and educators who wish to attend. The workshops and keynotes this year have a STEM ‘flavour’ and address the theme of ‘Teach more, learn more, inspire more.’

This year the Forum is being held at the Microsoft Headquarters, Thames Valley Park in Reading on the 24^th Nov 2011.

We have a rich agenda that includes as Keynote speakers, the world renowned Ian Livingstone OBE, Life President ofEidos , Alex Bellos, the author of the popular science bookAlex's Adventures in Numberland and Ollie Bray, the National Adviser for Emerging Technologies at Education Scotland

In addition, delegates will be able to choose from a range of workshops. I would suggest that you sign up as soon as possible as places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Using the Kinect SDK/Kodu in the classroom	Classroom Teachers Ray Chambers from Lodge Park Technology College & Nicki Maddams fromHartsdown College, give hands-on practical guidance on how to programme and create games in the classroom
Everyone is a Maths genius, can computer science/technology prove it?	Dr Chris Imafidon – is one of the “World’s foremost scholars on leveraging informatics for learning and exceptional achievement. This workshop will discuss how computer science/technology exposed the myths of natural Intelligence, genes, gender, IQ, age, background, post-code.
Computing: The Science of Nearly Everything?	Dr Tom Crick, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC), looks at the big question: How are we developing and encouraging the next generation of technology innovators in the UK?
Be a Maker: learn to build gadgets with .NET Gadgeteer	Dr Scarlet Schwiderski-Grosche from Microsoft Research.Do you like computer gadgets? Would you like to learn how to build and program gadgets to your own design? Then this workshop is for you!
Medicines and innovation – the missing link	Kandarp Thakkar - STEM Ambassador Programme - This workshop will introduce the STEM programme and give some ‘real-life’ case studies of successful use of this programme in delivering high quality university admissions.
Guerrilla Teaching & Learning	Daniel Raven-Ellison is a guerrilla educator, co-founder of The Geography Collective and creative director of Mission:Explore. Join this workshop to receive initial training in how to be a guerrilla teacher and learner.
Who’s afraid of the big bad ‘network’	Dan Roberts from saltash.net community school, presents light-hearted perspective and interactive & engaging discussion which considers the challenges & issues of schools using social networking, how these can be overcome?

Also, find out who are the recipients of this year’s Microsoft UK Partners in Learning Teacher Awards.The awards will be presented to Teachers who have submitted projects that illustrate the innovative use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Not only will they receive award recognition, but have the chance to be invited to the next Partners in Learning Forum and win a Xbox 360 and Kinectpackage for their school. These projects will be on display at the event.

Don’t miss out, register today – Registration now open

Oracle Academy & ThinkQuest Information Seminars and the ThinkQuest Competition 2012

We partner with a number of global vendors through the Digital ICT Vendor Alliance

Oracle have asked us to highlight the following competition and workshops running across Scotland.

The ThinkQuest International Competition 2012   Think with us and you'll be ready Find out more about the ThinkQuest International Competition and the Oracle Academy at this year's free 1/2 day Information Seminars: Dundee - Wednesday 9 November 2011 Glasgow - Thursday 10 November 2011 Glasgow - Thursday 2 February 2012  To register your FREE place visit: http://www.registerforevent.co.uk/tqoa2011_12/ The ThinkQuest International Competition 2012 officially opened on 14 September! Watch our amazing launch video here. The ThinkQuest International Competition 2012: Has amazing prizes - trips to the USA, laptops, cash and every entrant receives certification Is for students from primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities Has three separate entry categories - ThinkQuest Projects, Digital Media and Application Development Is open to a wide age range of students from 12 & under to 22 years old Allows students to stand out from the crowd through working with one of the world's most recognised organisations, the Oracle Education Foundation  Is not limited to ThinkQuest members only Please visit our website for further detail, including how you can help your students to enrol in the Competition, by clicking here.   Find out more about the ThinkQuest International Competition, how ThinkQuest is helping students to achieve Curriculum for Excellence and the Oracle Academy at this year's free 1/2 day with lunch information seminars which take place on: Wednesday 9 November, 10am-12pm - Dundee, Discovery Point  Thursday 10 November, 10am-12pm - Glasgow, Teacher Building Thursday 2 February, 10am-12pm - Glasgow, Teacher Building To register your place for the free information seminars please click here.

Opportunity

Cally Beck of IBM has asked us to highlight this opportunity for Scottish HN Candidates.


We are aware it is late in the academic year to initiate work for this but we are hopeful that there may be some appropriate project work that a student could submit.

"The award is the GuideShare Europe academic excellence award. GuideShare Europe (GSE), is IBM's large enterprise client user group, large companies in all sectors, including Bank of America, HSBC etc. We are asking students to submit a paper/project entitled "Using technology to make life easier". I am attaching the link to the website with details of entry requirements and judging criteria.

The winner will be announced and flown all expenses to Madrid in October to collect the award and the prizes."

Linux Training from Forth Valley College

Thanks to the generosity of LPIC  UK   Scottish Further Education staff   can sign up for free LPIC 1 training. The course runs from 20^th June to 24^th June at Forth Valley College, Falkirk Campus. Those wishing to book a place need to contact Joanne McGillvray Joanna.McGillivray@forthvalley.ac.uk  or Tony Dyer (tony.dyer@forthvalley.ac.uk

Teaching JAVA Programming Free Learning Materials from Oracle Academy

This will be of interest to schools and colleges -

The Oracle Academy is pleased to announce that the Getting Started with Java Using Alice Workshop, V2, which supports Alice 3.1.60 and higher, is now available from the Curriki.org website.

Use the following steps to access the materials:

1.

Paste the URL listed below to quickly display the workshop materials.

http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Coll_TheOracleAcademy/GettingStartedWithJavaUsingAlice

Use the following steps to download all of the workshop materials:

1.

From the Oracle Academy collections page, open the Workshop Resources folder.2. Download the zip file of the entire workshop. Exercise patience while downloading.

#CampusParty Campus Party Europe

I met Martyn Wallace from 02 recently and he highlighted this big educational engagement event in London.

I did highlight this would be week most Colleges in Scotland will be busy with induction - but this is an event that many students particularly transitioning from HNC - HND should be interested in . I think some teaching staff will be interested too.

As long as they don't mind sleeping in a tent inside the 02 Arena in London

See details below

SAVE THE DATE ** Campus Party Europe, 2^nd – 6^th September 2013, London ** SAVE THE DATE

The world’s biggest digital entertainment festival comes to the UK

This year the Telefonica UK will play host to Campus Party Europe - a week-long, 24-hours-a-day celebration of the latest in digital technology.

Campus Party Europe will give young digital enthusiasts the opportunity to hone their digital skills; give budding entrepreneurs the chance to turn their ideas into reality; and help businesses find the talent they need to grow. 

The festival will also feature some of the world’s most inspirational science and technology communicators. Speakers at previous events include Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web; Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple; and astronaut Neil Armstrong. We’ll be announcing this year’s line-up of speakers soon.

For many ‘Campuseros’, the festival will be a key part of their journey into the world of work.  To ensure your students don’t miss out on this unique opportunity, we would be grateful if you could alert them and your colleagues to the date and location of Campus Party 2013 at your earliest convenience. Similarly, if your University signs up as a partner your students will get 20% discount. 

Please check out the website for more information: http://www.campus-party.eu

For any questions please respond to CampusParty@telefonica.com

Thanks,

Campus Party Team

New CompTIA Membership Scheme

We work with a range of global vendors in a non exclusive way through the DIVA Programme.   A number of Scottish Colleges use CompTIA Certification as part of their National Certificate programmes.  We have been asked to alert School ,  Colleges and Universities in Scotland to their new membership scheme.  The details of this can be found on the CompTIA Website here.

Linux Cascade Centre Starts Cascading

The first part of DIVA process is to support capacity building and staff development.  Here is a training for teaching staff offer from the recently appointed cascade centre for Linux

Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Training Opportunity

Forth Valley College, in conjunction with LPI (Linux Professional Institute) are running a CPD opportunity for staff wishing to deliver the LPI-1 qualification within their own Centre. The training will be offered on two dates and lasts 5 days at a cost of £525 per delegate. All courses run at Forth Valley College, Falkirk Campus . There are a choice of two dates:

4^th  – 8^th April

27^th  June – 1^st July

The 5 day training course will prepare participants for the Linux Professional Institute examinations LPI- 101 and LPI- 102 which when successfully achieved give LPIC-1 certification.

For more information or to book a place please contact Tony Dyer on 01324 403158 or e-mail tony.dyer@forthvalley.ac.uk

Cascade Centre for Linux

We are delighted to announce that  following the  selection process  that Forth Valley College will act as the Cascade Centre for Linux LPI Certification.  Forth Valley has been selected based on their experience to date with the Linux programmes and their capacity to roll out this expertise to other Colleges in Scotland.

We look forward to working with Forth Valley and  the Linux Professional Institute.

SQA , Oracle and a UK First

We are delighted that for the first time an  International Oracle Academy event for school teachers and trainers will be held in Scotland.

We have a strong working partnership with Oracle and it will be great to welcome teachers from across the UK and beyond to Scotland. There are well established links to the Oracle Curriculum from  Higher , Advanced Higher and through to  HNC/D  and vocational qualifications SCQF 6-8

The Oracle Academy provides teachers and lecturers with the skills required to successfully deliver the Oracle Academy curriculum in schools and further education establishments, the EMEA Institute is being held in the UK / Scotland for the first time, it has  previously run in Belgium, Vienna, The Netherlands and the Czech Republic.  

Teachers / lecturers who participate from Scotland will work face-to-face with  people from a variety of teaching  backgrounds from across Europe, and will have access to personal support and tuition.
The Oracle Academy in Edinburgh will focus on two classes as part of our Introduction To Computer Science course:

Database and Programming with SQL
Students analyze business requirements; create entity relationship diagrams and data models while building collaboration and problem solving skills. Later, students learn SQL using the Oracle Application Express tool; they investigate careers, gain interviewing skills and earn Oracle Professional certification opportunities.

Database Programming with PL/SQL
Students develop PL/SQL programming, project management, and application development skills. In addition, students have the opportunity to gain certification as an "Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate."

 Virtual training Available  (approx. 2 months) April 9 - June 15, 2012
In-class training (5 days) - The Royal High School, Edinburgh, Scotland - July 23 - July 27, 2012    
·         Attend daily training - 5 days    
·         Complete Exit Exam
·         Pass Exit Exam within 60 days of the conclusion of the in-class training.
The course is free but candidates must provide their own accommodation and subsistence
To view course curriculum please visit https://academy.oracle.com/pages/prog_offerings_courses_overviews.htm
To view the Institute schedule online visit https://academy.oracle.com/pages/prog_commit_inst_institute.htm

If you want to know more about what is involved please contact mailto:iris.lanny@oracle.com  You are also  invited to attend a free event in the Teacher Building, Glasgow on Thursday 2nd February, 10am - 12pm to hear more details of the program from existing Oracle Academy members in Scotland at college and Secondary school level.   To confirm your place at this event click here .