Learning and Teaching

EVOLVE Visit approval and planning system goes live.

billstephen Latest News, Learning and Teaching, Outdoor Learning, safety management

group beachThe new EVOLVE online educational visit planning and approval system is now live in Midlothian. A fantastic turn-out at our recent launch means that we have 14 schools (and growing) in the pilot phase. The system offers a huge amount of benefits to aid trip planning for our educational establishments in Midlothian. We hope this system will enable and encourage more of-site visits as it can;

  • Simplifies procedures
  • Promotes efficiency
  • Promotes confidence to plan educational visits
  • Builds portfolio of staff  experience
  • Supports planning – reflection – planning working practices
  • Reduces paperwork
  • Provides a clear audit trail
  • Ensures staff planning adheres to procedures
  • Pre-configured robust framework
  • Manage all Extra-curricular activities – not just visits!
  • Dynamic monitoring and live customisable reporting tools
  • Supports inspection preparation and process of self review
  • Comprehensive overview of all learning opportunities
  • Flexible, intuitive & easy to use

EVOLVE screenshotWe are looking forward to getting all establishments on the system from August 2015 with the previous paper based system being retired by December 2015.

For establishments that were not the pilot launch and who wish to get involved now please contact us ( william.stephen@midlothian.gov.uk ) and we will get you on-board.

There is also further courses available in Visit Leader Training and Educational Visit Coordinator training to support Midlothian Educational establishments in planning and managing off-site visits.

 

SNH report highlights benefits of Outdoor Learning

billstephen Latest News, Learning and Teaching, Outdoor Learning

IMAG1403New report from SNH highlights  the need for further progress in outdoor learning  &  notes “Learning outdoors more engaging”

“Teachers who bring their pupils into the outdoors find it makes their learning more enjoyable, challenging, active and collaborative according to a report published today by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

The study shows that outdoor learning in school and pre-schools has increased since Curriculum for Excellence was introduced but that further increases could be made. The survey of nursery, primary and secondary schools looked at over 1000 outdoor lessons and compared results from surveys in 2006 and 2014″

“Whilst these findings are positive we have some challenges ahead. Greater provision is required, particularly in secondary schools in order to capitalise fully on outdoor learning of all kinds, including residential experiences. Schools in areas of deprivation also face challenges in providing this type of learning…”

The press release and full report can be accessed at link  SNH Outdoor Learning Report

 

Visit Leader and Visit Coordinator Training

billstephen Learning and Teaching, Midlothian Outdoor Learning Network, Outdoor Learning, safety management, Uncategorized

NExcurisons Building the Curriculumew dates for Visit Leader Training (VLT) and Educational Visit Coordinator Training (EVC), for Midlothian Educational establishments have been added to learnPro and are now available.

These courses cover all you need to know about leading,planning and coordinating an educational visit and will follow the Midlothian Council Guidelines and the  Going Out There – Scottish Framework for Safe Practice in Off-site Visits.

More information available at the links below;

Visit Leader Training (VLT)

Educational Visit Coordinator Training (EVC)

 

“A License to Thrill” – AALA Licensing Consultation Starts

oladmin2 AALA, Latest News, Learning and Teaching, Outdoor Learning

skiingWithin our schools and educational establishments we are all aware of the amazing benefits of engaging with outdoor experiential learning and adventurous activity, and the positive and powerful experiences and outcomes that can be realised by our learners.

This month there is an opportunity to get involved in a series of consultations on the future of how this activity is managed and the licensing of adventurous activities (AALA) within Scotland.

SAAF (SCOTTISH ADVENTURE ACTIVITY FORUM, tasked by ScotGov) are keen to hear from all interested parties on this important initiative.

The briefing paper available at the SAAF website outlines the consultation process which will invite all stakeholders operating in Scotland to give their views about a range of matters, including;

1.Reviewing the definition of adventure activities
2.Identifying any activities which should also be included in the regulations
3.What could be added to or taken out of the 2004 Regulations
4.Identifying any textual or factual changes required to simplify or clarify the wording of the current Regulations
5.How can the scheme be “future-proofed” as the adventure activity sector evolves
6.How can those who want to “opt in” be accommodated
7.How “cross-border” arrangements can work effectively across the UK

Although Licensing requirements generally only apply to those organisations that provide activities in return for payment,the outcomes from consultation will influence how we manage and deliver Adventurous activities within our own Local Authority and the potential to influence activity enablement and quality.

Its an exciting time to get involved as it may contribute to the evolving nature and future Outdoor Learning within our Educational arena.

More details on accessing the survey and the events are available at the SAAF website (link).

Outdoor Routes Programme PAVE’s the way for pupil success.

oladmin2 Latest News, Learning and Teaching

 

PAVE CanalIt’s been an amazing few months working with PAVE on their youth engagement Routes programme. Using a blend of classroom, vocational and Outdoor Learning the pupils will gain several awards.

The Outdoor Learning Team have been delivering a paddlesports programme with the learners gaining the SCA 1 star award that involved trying out a range of paddlesport craft to enable the learning of new skills, then a final day journeying on the famous Union Canal from Ratho to Broxburn in open Canoe. The team tried soloing and also tandem canoeing and negotiating themselves around narrowboats travelling on this famous waterway.

The next stage will involve indoor climbing with the pupils working towards their Level 1 NICAS award and then supporting some of their classroom programme, i.e navigation to numeracy, using outdoor hill walking to gain their NNAS bronze award.

This unique blend of experiential learning helps support success in the Routes programme and supports achievement in the vocational qualifications that underpin the programme.

More details of the Routes Programme and enabling personal paths to progress, can be found below;

http://midlothianroutes.wix.com/routes