John Connell » Blog Archive » Teaching at a Crossroads
Please go and read.
It is a wonderfully intelligent critique of where education is at the moment.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Design Education - Define Design
A little while ago, ok, 18 months ago. I setup a wiki called Design-Ed.
This was inspired when I did some work in the summer of 2006. I was invited by The Lighthouse, Glasgow, to attend a seminar on design education in Jyväskulä, Finland.
The Design Seminar was organised by the Alvaa Aalto Foundation. It brought together a group 12 of people from all over the world spent a week talking, studying design education. We then produced a concept for travelling education exhibition to get young people to explore Architecture with all their senses.
We decided to try and keep working together using a smartgroup and when smartgroup died I setup a Wikispace but it soon dropped out of use.
I want to try again. Hopefully with more participants.
I would like to ask you, "What is your definition of Design?". I am looking for a short 'back of a T-Shirt' one.
You can leave your definition here in the comments or place it directly onto the wikispace here.
Lots of posts this week. Can you tell I am on holiday and avoiding writing an essay?
Monday, 14 April 2008
A Curriculum for Excellence Draft Technologies
Today the draft technologies Documents were published. http://www.curriculumforexcellencescotland.gov.uk/outcomes/technologies/index.asp
I would particularly interested in the views of anyone outside Scotland on these.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Melrose 125, Veteran 10's
Cryptic title I know but this is a non school, non technology post.
The Melose 7's is the oldest Rugby 7's competition in the world. In fact this was the 125th Melrose 7's.
As part of the 125th celebration the Melrose club decided to expand the events. With a Youth Seven's and a Ladies Seven's. Islay Rugby Club were extremely honoured to be invited to send a team to the Veterans competition. Veterans are defined as over 35. Fortunately there was no upper age so we could get a team together.
The games were being played over 2 days, Thursday and Friday. I think this was to allow recovery times between the 20 min games but actually it meant a lot of partying and socialising serious talk about rugby.
We were travelling in the knowledge that we were in the same group as Melrose and Roma of Italy. Both teams had former international players. Melrose had Doddie Weir, Craig Chalmers and Greame Shiel in the team playing in Islay's opening game. 
Islay competed well but finished the game behind by 51 points.
The next game was against the Italian team, Roma. The Italian's were a big fast team but the game was played in a great spirit. The only problem was me getting hit in a great tackle by Stephano. This tackle stretched my Cruciate Ligament and I ended up being stretchered off.
Fortunately I was taken great care of by a knee surgeon who was watching the game. It was the end of my competition. But the upside was that I had to sit still and everyone brought me what I wanted.
We had a great night in the Melrose club house. Spending time with the other teams from Kansas City, Caymen Islands, Ayr, Ulster, Palmer (US), Edinburgh, Ledbury, and many others.
The Friday we were drawn against Ayr and Ledbury. Both Teams played the game in great spirit. Islay managed a great win against Ledbury.
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| From Melrose 08 |
This only left the Friday night which was the Post Vets celebration and pre seven's warm up. Again another great atmosphere.
A huge thank you to Dougie of The Melrose Club. He was our link man and went above and beyond his duty. It'll be great to see him over again for the Beach Rugby.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
Islay Open Day 2
Further to my earlier post about the possibility of an Open Day for Islay High.
We now have a date for this. It is Friday the 13th of June. I hope that it will be lucky for all of us.
As I said in the previous post this is aimed at the the local community (mainly the Parents and Businesses) but this does not mean its exclusively for them and I would encourage as many 'mainlanders' to make the journey to come and see what we are doing.
For those who maybe interested Islay Rugby Club will be holding the annual beach rugby competition on Saturday the 14th. Official Website for the Beach rugby is at http://islaybeachrugby.com/
Friday, 4 April 2008
Consol Championship
Its the last day before the Easter holiday's.
We have had an inter house competitions.
We have had volleyball and consol games.
Some people have been very into the games but particularly Mr Wallis of our English Dept.
What has been interesting is that we got most, 3/4's, of the participants in the consol championship have been girls.
Another huge mention for Russell (A pupils with severe Autism) who got the highest score in the Wii Bowling at 195.
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
Islay Open Day?
We have been thinking about having an open day to show what we are doing here in Islay High School. mainly for the ICT but also for the Vocational Courses and our subject/timetable changes.
Locally we have a bit of interest but what I need to know is a the numbers who would be interested in coming from the mainland in Mid June.
The sort of thing we are thinking about is:
Off islanders arrive either by Ferry (See Travel Details Below) or by Plane.
Several demonstrations/workshops on what is being done within the school.
Bowmore Distillery (About 200m from the school) would let us use the visitors suite for refreshments and maybe a teachmeet?
People can leave in the evening or stay overnight for a quiet time bird watching {cough}
Travel
Ferry by Calmac
2hrs 15mins
Kennacraig is just over 2hrs drive from Glasgow
First Ferry is at 7am then the next is at 9-45am
Costs: approx £15 per person £80 for a car. Though we would pick people up.
Flights by BA
From Glasgow 8-30am
35 mins (Depends on wind direction, I have been on a flight of 15 mins)
For those who may want to stay and enjoy the social aspect we have a range of accomodation. From mats in the gym to some very nice hotels.
So how many would be interested in principal?
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