News & what's on
Here's the news and information about Learning Link
Scotland and adult learning. Keep up to date with developments,
opinions, events and courses from ourselves, our
members and partners. And don't forget - there'll be instant news
on our Twitter feed.
News for May 2013:
Here's our e-bulletin for May 2013. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter for up-to-date
information.
In this month's e-bulletin,
LLS News
We are interested in what you have to say and what want you want
to read in our monthly e-bulletin. Please spare a minute to answer
two simple questions - which can be found here - it would
help us to make sure our e-bulletins are more useful and relevant
for you.
With Adult Learner's Week just around the corner (18th - 24th May
2013), we are planning to use new technologies (social media in
particular), to share information, research and good practice with
you and the wider Adult Learning network. We would really like to
showcase some of the fantastic work being delivered by our members,
so please send any examples of good practice, recent achievements
or examples of adults whose lives have been transformed through
learning that you would like to share with the wider Adult Learning
community in Scotland to Hilary at
HKidd@learninglinkscotland.org.uk.
As part of our role to promote and represent our members at a
national level, we recently sent out an update on the
implementation of the CLD Strategic Guidance. See
here if you haven't already had a chance to look at this. Since
this update, Education Scotland has now published the Adult
Literacies Professional Development Framework which is part of the
implementation of the Scottish Government's ten-year strategy for
raising the literacies levels of Scotland's adults. The Framework
is designed to be user-friendly and flexible. It provides
guidance on roles, qualifications and training, and on progression
for people tutoring and co-ordinating provision. This can be found
see
here.
We would recommend a visit to http://www.digitallyagilecld.org/ -
this website contains online resources we developed in partnership
with YouthLink Scotland and the Scottish Community Development
Centre (SCDC) to deliver the Digitally Agile Community Learning and
Development (DACLD) Project.
Member News
We are always keen to showcase examples of good practice and
positive media coverage about the work of our members. This month,
Parent Network Scotland, has sent us a great
article (see here) about the
achievements of nine parents from Rutherglen and Cambusland who
have completed an eight week 'Parenting Matters: ADHD/Autistic
Spectrum' course. This course was delivered as part of the "Healthy
'n' Happy's Confident Kids - Healthy Choices" programme, in
partnership with the Parent Network Scotland. As well as completing
this course, the parents will be the first members of a new peer
support group organised by Healthy 'n' Happy.
Another example of outstanding work comes from Lead
Scotland in "Thinking Digitally; build confidence;
develop relevant digital skills" who say:
"Setting aside time to learn about, master and contextualise
some of the free and increasingly usable on line tools can be a
real challenge. It's useful to know your jing, from your padlet; whether you want to build a
digital CV, develop your online voice and identity, make new
connections, develop your business or have other aspirations!
We are aware that increasing numbers of volunteers and
practitioners in the field of adult learning are interested in, and
want to keep up to date with new technologies to enhance service
delivery in this climate of 'digital by default'.
We have developed a credit rated
Thinking Digitally module, SCQF 6, 12 credits. It offers
a supportive small group learning environment; for learners,
volunteers and practitioners build confidence in communicating,
collaborating, making digital artefacts and using a range of
digital tools. The course is remotely delivered via adobe
connect, is paperless and a breadth of digital assessment
evidence is gathered in eportfolios. Participants choose
their own subject and tools to maximise the likelihood of him/her
sustaining ownership and development of their artefact beyond the
course. Themes such as digital citizenship, participation,
online safety and accessibility are and integrated during the
course and expert guest speakers enhance the learning
experience.
Thank you Learning Link Scotland! Being part of this
project increased our capacity to develop credit rated provision:
Embedding SCQF in the Voluntary Adult Education Sector. Could
benefit your learners, volunteers and/or practitioners? Contact us
for more information: ewhitelock@lead.org.uk,
0131 228 9441."
Events, Courses and Classes
Glasgow Women's Library is holding Mapping
Memorials to Women in Scotland Training in
Edinburgh Central Library and in
Portree in Skye. Click on the place names to visit the
website for more information on these workshops.
Dyslexia Scotland will be holding a one day
conference for those involved in the education of children and
young people affected by dyslexia on Saturday 21st September 2013.
This is an excellent opportunity to hear high profile keynote
speakers; to attend a range of workshops and to visit a market
place of exhibitors showcasing the latest materials and
technologies to support learning and teaching. See here
for further details of this event.
Crisis Skylight Edinburgh is holding a special
event in celebration of Adult Learners' Week. "Don't Be Shy, Have A
try" will take place on Tuesday 21st May 12-4 pm at Out
of The Blue 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh. Learners are
welcome to come to our indoor learning market. Our learning
market will include interactive stalls where people can participate
in learning activities and information stands where information
will be given on our courses. Stalls include t-shirt printing, card
making and local history. For more information please contact edinburgh@crisis.org.uk
0131 2097700.
Following the great success of Cantraybridge
College's first Open Day last year, they are staging a
second Open Day on Saturday 8th June 2013 from 10am -
4pm. Please join Cantraybridge College to see the brilliant work
their young people do and visit the fabulous environment they all
work in every day. Meet some of the animals you might expect
at a rural skills college and also some you wouldn't, courtesy of
our amazing friend - Nick Martin - and his equally amazing exotic
animals There will be an opportunity to buy Cantraybridge products,
made by our students, and home-baking and of course a chance to win
some amazing prizes in our Grand Raffle! See here for more information.
Glasgow YWCA has spaces in Adult
Literacy & Numeracy classes: (start dates tbc) weekly classes
except for bank holidays / school holidays. Crèche spaces
available. These are for women who speak English as a
1st language; for women who need support with reading,
writing and numberrs and for women who live in the Glasgow Central
& West area (postcodes G1, G2, G3, G4, G11, parts of G12, parts
of G20). Please contact Angela Baker, Building Women's Capacity
Officer at 0141 248 5338 as soon as possible.
Jobs and Opportunities
A number of secondments to Education Scotland
are being advertised
here.
Stepping Stones for Families has vacancies on
their Board of Directors for a Treasurer. They are seeking an
individual who can bring a range of relevant experience to the
governance of this charity operating in Glasgow, South and East
Ayrshire. Please see the
Board Advert, Treasurer
Job Description and Briefing
for Recruitment for further details.
LINKnet has started two new mentoring projects in
Edinburgh and Midlothian and are very keen to recruit mentors.
Please see here for
further information. They have also organized their next mentor
training to be held on Sat 18 May. More details are here.
The University of Stirling has introduced
the new Teaching Qualification in Adult Education
(TQAE) for staff working in the adult education field and the first
teaching qualification for adult learning in Scotland. The
award has been developed for tutors, trainers or development or
support workers who deliver formal or non-formal learning or
training programmes across the adult learning sector. See
here to find out more about this qualification.
Newbattle Abbey College is holding an information
event for all those who are interested in the 1 year Access to
Higher Education Award on Wednesday 15th May 2013. This
Award is fully funded, comes with a bursary and 75% go on to
University. Read Joanne's story
here and find out more at http://www.newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk/?p=2077.
The next e-bulletin will be sent in early June. Until then,
please contact Hilary with any news or questions.
Older news is available in our bulletin archive.