Glasgow : Teaching for Effective Learning/ Critical Skills Programme Project.
SMITHYCROFT LEARNING COMMUNITY
What is this?
This project looked at the development and evaluation of the use of the Critical Skills Programme (CSP) and Teaching for Effective Learning (TfEL) models across Learning Community establishments, particularly focussing on how this affected learner engagement and motivation, and teacher attitudes and approaches.
During sessions 2000/01 and 2001/02, a number of pre-5, primary and secondary educational establishments in the Smithycroft Learning Community (which in itself is part of the Glasgow Learning Communities project, see project 12 above) investigated, and invested in, TfEL and the CSP to raise achievement and attainment and improve learner motivation. The aim of this project was to develop and extend these approaches across the whole Learning Community in a systematic way, through cross-sectoral coaching and mentoring, with support and consultancy from one of the founders of the critical skills programme model from the USA. The ultimate aim was to develop and implement a Whole Learning Community Policy on the model.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT support was provided to evaluate the impact of the model on learner attitudes and motivation, teaching approaches and the results of applying the model across the whole Learning Community.
Links with National Priorities?
2. Framework for Learning
4. Values & Citizenship
5. Learning for Life
Project aims?
- To involve as many teaching and support staff as possible in the TfEL/CSP model from pre-5, primary and secondary establishments across the Learning Community over the course of sessions 2002/03 & 2003/04.
- To research the effects of the project in each of these sessions in terms of the impact on pupil/student learning and motivation, and staff approaches and attitudes to learning and teaching.
- To encourage coaching and mentoring across the Learning Community in all sectors.
- To set up a network of practitioners from within and outwith the Learning Community to facilitate visits, joint working between establishments and an exchange of ideas.
- To develop a whole Learning Community Policy on Critical Skills which would encompass pupil and teacher evaluation and assessment.
Project outcomes?
- Raised achievement and attainment through engaging all learners in a more active, experiential and learner-centred approach across the whole Learning Community.
- Improved cross-sectoral links and partnership working across Learning Community establishments.
- Shared experiences with other Learning Community educational establishments in Glasgow, and with educational establishments throughout Scotland, through sharing of evaluation outcomes.
- Produced, piloted and refined a bank of 'challenges' (problem-solving, experiential based learning and teaching resources) for environmental studies to consolidate roll out of the TfEL/CSP model across the whole Learning Community. These resources were made available for use both within and beyond the Learning Community.
Timescale?
The project was started in August 2002 and was completed in March 2004.
Level of Support?
FLaT support was a grant of £5,550 plus evaluation costs.
Who are the evaluation team?
Faculty of Education, University of Glasgow
Team Leader - Professor Eric Wilkinson
Contact person: Lesley Dunlop, Head Teacher, Carntyne Primary School, 0141 770 4305, ldunlop@carntyne-pri.glasgow.sch.uk