An t-Alltan 2014
A conference for Gaelic teachers
1 & 2 October, Aviemore
The An t-Alltan 2014 conference for Gaelic teachers was held in the MacDonald Aviemore Conference Centre, on 1 and 2 October. This conference was anexcellent professional learning opportunity for Gaelic educationalists.
- Timetable (PDF)
- Primary Workshop List (Gaelic) (PDF)
- Primary Workshop List (English) (PDF)
- Secondary Workshop List (Gaelic) (PDF)
- Secondary Workshop List (English) (PDF)
- Map (PDF)
Revd Prof Norman Drummond, CBE FRSE
We were delighted to have Revd Norman Drummond as our opening speaker.
Often described as “one of the most inspiring and talented Scots of his generation” on account of his unparalleled breadth of interest, knowledge and experience, Rev Drummond spent a period of time as headmaster of Loretto School in Musselburgh. He is a founder and a Trustee of Columba 1400, an international leadership centre which also runs a head teacher leadership academy. He was recently made a CBE.
www.columba1400.com/about-us/board-of-trustees/norman-drummond
Angus MacLennan
We were also very pleased that Angus MacLennan, Depute Rector, The Nicolson Institute, Stornoway returned to speak at the conference.
Mr MacLennan spoke previously in 2010 and is an experienced professional with wide educational and management experience as well as a good sense of humour! We are sure he will keep you informed and amused.
Workshops which were on offer at An t-Alltan 2014...
Ciste-ulaidh na h-Alba (Scottish Quest) for primary schools
Margaret Anne MacLeod (Wednesday x 2)
An opportunity to try out this new board game and to see a variety of ways it could be used as a language resource. In groups, participants then explored other ways it can be used to improve pupils’ language skills.
Animation/Audio (P 6&7, S 1&2)
Chris Mitchell (Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon)
Attendees learned how to create simple animated stories using GoAnimate with Chris Mitchell, Cànan. This short workshop format session introduced the tools & techniques used to edit audio and make basic animated cartoons that teachers can use to produce fun resources for their class.
Language materials for primary
Kirsty MacVicar & Trish MacLeod (Wednesday morning and Thursday morning)
Kirsty and Trisha showed language materials they use in primary classes, and Morag Maclean gave a preview of resources Stòrlann are creating in the context of the language framework for early level to level two. Participants then had the opportunity, in groups, to share ideas for language/grammar teaching and to create relevant lesson plans.
Teaching language through puppets
Dougie Beck (Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon)
Dougie showed how you can use puppets to teach language. He used Catriona, the puppet in Stòrlann’s resource Catrìona air Chuairt.
ASN – Additional Support Needs
Archie MacLullich and Fiona Lyon (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon)
This workshop explored the use of dynamic assessment and screening tools in Gaelic Medium Education and the use of these approaches in collaborative assessment of Additional Support Needs.
Rebecca Castelo, Speech and Langauge Therapist also presented a 30 minute session with the title:
“Working in Partnership with your local speech and language therapy service – sharing the evidence base for optimising speech, language and communication development for all CYP in bilingual settings”
Assessment and Moderation
Muriel Murray and Chrissie Graham (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon)
This workshop focussed on Assessment and Moderation based on a project for early level, but which can be adapted for transition to upper primary.
Bi sunndach agus seinn! (Music and singing)
Dolina Munro (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning)
Dolina showed some of the songs, games and activities from this new music resource for early and first level. The songs develop music skills and are an aid to language acquisition and understanding.
’Smathsin and Comic Life
Dave Smith and Mairi Milne (Thursday x 2)
Mairi Milne illustrated the benefits of using comics such as ’Smathsin in language work. Then Dave Smith from the company Right Lines, who produce ’Smathsin, showed how the program Comic Life can be used to create comics.
Education Scotland
Celia MacArthur (Thursday morning)
Celia McArthur, from the Teacher Education Team, guided participants through the Professional Learning area of the Education Scotland website. This session was suitable for practitioners at all stages of their careers. Celia led discussion on Career-long Professional Learning and Professional Review and Development (PRD). Professional learning is key to assisting practitioners with enhancing their capacity to embrace change; lead; work more effectively with others; reflect and enquire; and deliver an improved education for children and young people. Along with a secondary Head Teacher, Celia also highlighted how newly published support materials have helped staff engage more positively with PRD.
High School
Education Scotland
Celia MacArthur (Wednesday afternoon)
Celia McArthur, from the Teacher Education Team, guided participants through the Professional Learning area of the Education Scotland website. This session was suitable for practitioners at all stages of their careers. Celia led discussion on Career-long Professional Learning and Professional Review and Development (PRD). Professional learning is key to assisting practitioners with enhancing their capacity to embrace change; lead; work more effectively with others; reflect and enquire; and deliver an improved education for children and young people. Along with a secondary Head Teacher, Celia also highlighted how newly published support materials have helped staff engage more positively with PRD.
Cruinneachadh nam Fileantach
Catriona Murray and Morag MacLean (Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon)
This session looked at materials which have been collected and could be used with native speakers in Secondary, and the grammar booklet and other resources which are in preparation. Participants were asked to bring one resource for N4 or N5 native speakers to the session as an example of an assignment which worked well for them with a class.
ASN – Additional Support Needs
Archie MacLullich and Fiona Lyon (Wednesday morning and Thursday morning)
This workshop explored the use of dynamic assessment and screening tools in Gaelic Medium Education and the use of these approaches in collaborative assessment of Additional Support Needs.
Rebecca Castelo, Speech and Langauge Therapist also presented a 30 minute session with title:
“Working in Partnership with your local speech and language therapy service – sharing the evidence base for optimising speech, language and communication development for all CYP in bilingual settings”
Teaching Religious and Moral Education
Donald MacLeod – Nicolson Institute (Wednesday morning and Thursday morning)
Donald MacLeod gave an overview of the material and the course structure used in the Nicolson Institute. He hoped this will encourage other Gaelic teachers to teach the subject. Discussion of the materials and structure followed with a view to expanding upon them.
FilmG
Muireall Urquhart (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning)
Muireall Urquhart, who has a background in both teaching and the media, gave an overview of FilmG and how it can be used to develop talent and as part of an educational experience for CFE. She explained what makes a good film, how to develop ideas and plan the filming, and provided a range of practical tips and tricks to ensure schools produce an excellent film.
Idioms
Margaret MacIver (Wednesday afternoon and Thursday afternoon)
A session on idioms within the context of the module on idioms which will form part of Cruinneachadh nam Fileantach.
Animation/Audio (P 6&7, S 1&2)
Chris Mitchell (Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon)
Attendees learned how to create simple animated stories using GoAnimate with Chris Mitchell, Cànan. This workshop session introduced the tools & techniques used to edit audio and make basic animated cartoons that can be used to produce fun resources.
SQA
Marilyn Waters, Jennifer McHarrie & Principal Verifiers (Gàidhlig and Gaelic) (Thursday morning and afternoon)
SQA representatives updated teachers on their Gaelic-medium provision and Gaelic Language Plan as well as leading discussions focussed on Understanding Standards in relation to Internally Assessed Units and Internally Assessed Course Components (including exemplified material from 2013/14).
Information sessions...
Participation from MG Alba, BBC Alba, LearnGaelic.net, SMO, BT Debate, IntoFilm, E-stòras, CLÀS, Acair, Tobar an Dualchais and Comhairle nan Leabhraichean!
https://www.facebook.com/events/681020488611439/