Staff Development

Attainment can offer staff development workshops to customers in a number of curriculum-related areas. These include:

• Using ICT to deliver minority subjects
• Making the most of virtual learning environments
• Effective use of web-based resources
• Computer-assisted assessment
• Using ICT to provide differentiation

Clicking each of the above links will take you to a general outline of what would be provided in a one-day course. However the course structure can be modified to suit your needs and timescale

Using ICT to deliver minority subjects

This workshop is best delivered to groups of staff from the same subject area (e.g. Modern Languages), but can be delivered to mixed groups if necessary.

• Minority subjects - a definition and overview of the problem
• Flexible Learning as a way of providing minority subjects
• Sources of flexible learning materials
• ICT-based materials:
• CD-ROM based
• web based
• Collaboration between institutions
• Managing the process
• face-to-face teaching
• resource-centre based learning
• distance learning
• timetabling issues

Making the most of Virtual Learning Environments

• What are virtual learning environments?
• Common features found in virtual learning environments
• Choosing a suitable virtual learning environment
• Pros and cons of virtual learning environments
• How virtual learning environments aid the learning process
• How virtual learning environments help the teacher
• Using a specific virtual learning environment, e.g. Moodle

Effective use of web-based resources

• Using search engines to find suitable free resources
• Subject-based resources
• Structured free resources, e.g. NLN
• Commercial web-based resources
• Planning lessons around web-based resources
• Using web-based resources within a Virtual Learning Environment

Computer-assisted assessment

• What is computer-assisted assessment?
• Uses of CAA for:
• diagnostic assessment
• formative assessment
• summative assessment
• An introduction to question writing and test design
• Question types available
• Beyond multiple choice - making the most of CAA
• Software available
• free
• commercial
• The QCA/Government agenda for computer assisted assessment
• e-portfolios

Using ICT to provide differentiation

• What is differentiation?
• Arguments for and against differentiation
• Implementing differentiation in the classroom
• individual learning plans
• activity-based learning
• class groupings
• management strategies
• Using ICT to provide and/or enhance differentiation
• CD and web-based learning