EVENTS

TeachMeets are free-to-attend events and offer excellent CPD opportunities. Here are just a few such events being held in March 2016; all will likely still be accepting presentations, so be sure to get involved.

On 29th February, over a thousand schools across the globe will race to unravel a real-life mystery that has long captivated the art world. Education startup Forensic Outreach and New York-based edu-retailer Ward’s Science have prepared a worldwide STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, Art and Mathematics) competition inspired by the 2011 hunt for the lost Leonardo da Vinci painting The Battle of Anghiari. The competition involves three subject-specific challenges: ‘cryptanalysis’, ‘geometry and probability’ and ‘materials science’.

On Saturday 5th March, Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire will host TLAB16, a not-for-profit education conference run for teachers, by teachers. This year’s TLA (teaching, learning and assessment) conference will centre around exploring the importance of imagination and performing at the highest level. Running from 9.00am to 4.00pm, TLAB16’s theme is “Imagine, Believe, Achieve”. The event is now in its fourth year, and welcomes educators from all types of schools. Tickets, including lunch and refreshments, are priced at £50 per person via the TLAB16 Eventbrite page.

TeachMeets are free-to-attend events and offer excellent CPD opportunities. Here are just a few such events being held in February 2016; all will likely still be accepting presentations, so be sure to get involved.

A TeachMeet comes in many guises. The first I attended was a gathering of ten teachers in a classroom. The second had an audience of eighty and a reception on board HMS Victory in Portsmouth. However, both gatherings were defined by the very simple concept of teachers sharing ideas and simultaneously building a professional learning network (PLN). Presenters can sign up for a two, five or seven minute presentation on a subject, usually associated with classroom practice. It is much the same as the TED model, where speakers have to distil an idea into a defined timeframe. It is a challenge to engage and communicate in a short time but it is thrilling when someone gets it spot on.

If affordable, introducing students to foreign countries is well worth considering. Sarah Williams, assistant headteacher and head of Sixth Form at Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, has found that fundraising is a great way to get these trips off the ground.

Getting students involved in fundraising activities can really add value to their school education (excuse the pun!). By letting pupils take responsibility for driving fundraising events, it not only teaches them more about the value of money, but also helps to develop broader skills which will stand them in good stead once they leave school.

Adopting tablets into your school is a big leap. Taking this into account, education innovators Trilby will be holding a 1:1 learning-oriented event to explore the teaching possibilities.

On 20th October in Birmingham, edtech experts Trilby will be holding a holding a free workshop-luncheon for school leaders, heads of computing and teachers wanting to know more about 1:1 learning. The company are keen to show educators what can be achieved through learning, sharing and showcasing student work via tablets, as well as how a school can properly implement this technology. Those wishing to attend this free event are asked to RSVP to [email protected] by Monday 13th October.

Every year, teachers attend professional growth events. We go, learn lots of theories and techniques and then often leave wondering if what was fed to us was really what we needed. Wouldn't it be nice to have a professional growth where you create the learning experience based on your individual needs? Edcamps are exactly this.

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