clarej
Registered: 07/30/08
Posts: 1
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| | 07/30/08 at 09:43 AM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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No-one here was allowed out to go to the SSAT training. I am not sure if it would have made much difference from what I hear. But we are due to start engineering in September and there is nothing really set up. There isn't really anyone in charge of this diploma in our consortium except a stand-in who doesnt know much about it. We got volunteered for this because we are a technology college, but that doesn't mean our engineering is brilliant. Since the head of department left we havent had any engineers in the department. I am still not sure how the diploma is going to work. We do have a nice engineering workshop though but Edexcel hasnt published the resources list yet so we dont know yet what else we will need. I am starting to panic a bit about what happens when the kids turn up. I am sure we can bluff it but I would welcome any advice.
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Mike
Registered: 02/23/08
Posts: 25
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| | 07/31/08 at 04:26 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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Dear clarej,
Many thanks for sharing these thoughts. I am hoping that some teachers due to start the Diploma will be able to post some useful tips here.
The first thing to say is that the Summer holidays often brings a mixture of both rest and panic. A good dose of the former is probably needed to put the latter into perspective.
I am aware that many heads, although they have accepted specialist status for their schools - and have agreed to contribute to Diploma trials, have found it difficult to release teachers for the mix of professional development that is important to ensure the Diplomas go as planned.
Although a condition of starting Diplomas is 'readiness', that doesn't mean that no support is necessary - in some cases much more than others.
This includes the SSAT courses, exam board training, industry meetings and consortia events, plus personal professional development goals including industry experience. It would seem sensible to take your concerns to your headteacher so he/she can be made aware of them.
The local consortium is the most important source of support. The local diploma leader will be arranging support for Diploma teaching on an area-wide basis. Being part of a local and national network is the key to Diploma delivery. Some FE Colleges involved have achieved 'Centre for Vocational Excellence' status and Training Quality Standard. Within well-run consortia there will be lots of opportunities for teachers to 'learn on the job' and feel the professional support that an effective team approach can offer.
There needs to be a clear development timeline for your department with key dates and meetings agreed well in advance. The next key activity for Engineering is notification from the Exam boards of the resources that will be necessary. If you already have good facilities then this is a real plus point. Funding is available for each line of learning within a consortium.
Not everything needs to be in place by September. The pilot year is all about learning how best to teach the Diploma and to take up the range of support that will be available from FE colleges, local and national industry etc.
Does anyone else involved with Engineering have any comments to make on this?
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noggin
Registered: 08/20/08
Posts: 1
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| | 08/20/08 at 04:20 PM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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just so blinking mad over lack of support materials from edexcel. I would have thought that part of getting approval for the course would have been for them to provide azdequate support. There is naff all by way of exemplar material, how are we supposed to know how long or detailed a 'report' should be? there are something like twenty plus assessments to be submitted for moderation so we don't really have a year to get to grips with the course, it has to be done properly from day one.
just found out that the teacher support book is not being published until after the course starts, the student book was published yeaterday.
Incompetence rules
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