RSA Exploratory Seminar on Developing Work on Education and Skills

John and I recently attended an RSA in Scotland (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures & Commerce) seminar in Edinburgh to identify ways in which RSA Scotland and Fellows can make a contribution in the field of Education and Skills in Scotland. A topic close to our hearts and we were not disappointed by the contributions and discussion which took place nor the excellent chairing of the event by Louise Macdonald.

Objectives of the seminar included:

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  Understand the context: within schools/colleges the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence and the RSA’s Opening Minds Project and, more widely, the need to enhance skills for individuals of all ages to meet their needs and the changing needs of employers.


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  Identify and list areas where RSA Scotland and Fellows could make a contribution at local or national level.


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  Establish priority areas for action and consider how these can best be tackled by RSA Scotland and Fellows.

It was interesting to learn of the Opening Minds Project in England with its five key competences: learning, citizenship, relating to people, managing situations and managing information which are developed in the classroom through a mixture of instruction and practical experience. It reminded me of the Curriculum for Excellence 4 capacities: successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. Managing information was what we understand as information literacy:

Students should have:

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  Developed a range of techniques for accessing, evaluating and differentiating information and have learned how to analyse, synthesise and apply them


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  Understood the importance of reflecting and applying critical judgement, and have learned how to do so.

It was also interesting to hear about the Curriculum for Excellence Health and Wellbeing draft Experiences and Outcomes. Hillary Hall a Development Officer involved in writing the draft outcomes and experiences highlighted the ‘Planning for Choices and Changes’ element which involves skills and using available information.

Throughout my learning I am supported in preparing for significant changes in my life by:

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   developing strategies which help me meet challenges, manage change and build my resilience


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  reflect regularly on my strengths and skills, to help me plan my next steps


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   raising my expectations, developing my potential and recognising and celebrating my achievements


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  using available information, advice and guidance to help me make informed choices and develop personal planning.

The above reflects the work Ian McCracken at Govan High School has beeing doing with a school wide initiative to identify skills that pupils will need not just at school but for life and a common definiton and understanding of what these are. This also reflects the work we are doing with Skills Development Scotland (Career Scotland section) on Information literacy skills and career self-management.

The RSA has drawn up an Education Charter which sets out the principles they believe should inform future development of education for young people, in which they include all kinds of learning, whether formal or informal, and whether offered by schools, college, universities, training organisations or elsewhere. Again much of their work is aligned and resonates with the work we are doing.

Information Literacy and Public Libraries

Last week was a busy week for the project with meetings and or presentations everyday.

On Monday morning we were in Greenock at Inverclyde Libraries talking with the People's Network Librarian Sean McNamara about identifying areas for possible IL input into existing courses they offer and new courses for 2009. Courses such as an employability course run through their local community partnership with Fairer Scotland funding and Career Planning in conjunction with the West of Scotland University. Discussed Web 2.0 tools and the possibility of using a blog for learners to give their thoughts and feedback on the course/s. Inverclyde Libraries Manager Sandra MacDougal joined our discussions and we spoke about staff training and IL including: the Information Handling Skills course and qualification as part of the SLIC 2000 Learners Project (used by Midlothian Lothian Public Libraries for staff training) and the POP-i course (developed and used by Bradford Public Libraries for their staff) also the previous NOF courses and the recent CILIPS / SQA ICT qualification for Libraries. Some of their staff are currently undertaking the ICTL qualification.

We have had similar discussions with the Mitchell Library in Glasgow and the Ewart Library in Dumfries. The Ewart Library offer an expanding programme of tutor led computer training courses and workshops in their libraries to assist local communities (in partnership with Adult Literacy and Numeracy Partnership , the local college and other learning providers). Included in the programmes is The British Computer Society eCitizen package which includes information literacy although it does not identify it as such.

Glasgow REAL Learning Centres which are part of Glasgow Libraries have a new team in place of Learning Support Officers who will look after the learning centres (including learning portfolios, ITC and the employability agenda). Of interest to the project is the partnership between Glasgow Libraries and the Chamber of Commerce and the breakfast sessions held at The Mitchell Library.

I'm sure we will be hearing and seeing more information literacy work in Public Libraries. If you are interested in this area then the Information Literacy Website has a section on IL and Public Libraries.