Towards Excellence - Developing Capacity in Literacy
National Literacy Conference 2009
This joint LTS-HMIE conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on Tuesday 10 March 2009.
Keynote speakers were Professor David Booth, University of Toronto, and Janie McManus and Mary Ritchie, HM Inspectors of Education. You can view video of both keynote presentations and download presentations from the individual workshops.
Keynote presentations
Janie McManus and Mary Ritchie, HMIE
Mary Ritchie and Janie McManus delivered an opening address on the role of HMIE in supporting schools to develop literacy.
David Booth Keynote
Professor David Booth delivered an entertaining and thought-provoking keynote speech that encouraged us all to consider carefully just what we mean by the term literacy.
David Booth interview
Fiona Norris interviewed David Booth at the 2009 National Literacy Conference, 'Towards Excellence - Developing Capacity in Literacy'.
Workshops
Workshop A - Scots Language
The Highland Scots Language Project has some practical ideas on how to introduce Scots language into the classroom, whilst making links to Curriculum for Excellence.
Workshop B - A Multi-sensory Approach to Developing Literacy
Fairfield School, which caters for children with a range of additional support needs, employs multi-sensory approaches to developing literacy skills.
Workshop C - Debating In Schools
The presenters looked at ways in which debating can be used to promote active listening and talking. The workshop highlighted ‘Debating in Schools’ materials created by the English Speaking Union.
Workshop D - Support for Interdisciplinary Learning - Glasgow Libraries
Glasgow Libraries allow space for learning beyond subject boundaries. This seminar highlighted specific examples of educational visits and resources.
Workshop E - Using Wikis to Improve Literacy
This seminar introduced Web 2.0 and connected learning before showing how Perth Academy has been using wikis as part of its strategy to improve literacy.
Workshop F - Drama @ Dunstaffnage
A local castle provided a real and meaningful context for literacy learning when P5-P7 pupils based a play and animated film on the history of Dunstaffnage Castle.
Workshop G - Glow and Curriculum for Excellence
This seminar provided an overview of the purpose of Glow and the tools that it contains, with examples of how librarians and teachers have worked collaboratively to use Glow to deliver Curriculum for Excellence literacy outcomes.
Workshop H - Real and Relevant - Information Literacy Skills for the 21st Century Learner
The seminar covered selecting resources, using features of texts to locate information, using search engines and Boolean methods, and organising, selecting and evaluating information.
Workshop I - Engaging with Literacy and English Experiences and Outcomes
Presenters gave an overview of literacy and English initiatives in Edinburgh, highlighting innovative pilot projects in schools across the city.
Workshop J - Poetry in Motion
Using the example of this interdisciplinary learning project, the presenters showed how Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in literacy and English and expressive arts are embedded in classroom practice.
Workshop K - Literacy ‘Wowtcomes’ across the Curriculum
This seminar showed how an integrated curricular framework can be used to develop the literacy experiences and outcomes in order to promote the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence.
Workshop L - Literacy in Action - Using Literacy to Improve Understanding in your Subject
Science, history and English teachers from East Dunbartonshire described how - working together - they improved pupil understanding in different subjects through the development of literacy skills.
Workshop M - Our Infants are Glowing
The main focus of this seminar was on the use of Glow in the early years. It provided a snapshot of how one school has used Glow to promote literacy in Primary 1-2.
Workshop N - Becoming an Independent Learner on the Journey to Excellence
This seminar described interactive learning and teaching approaches used to raise attainment significantly in literacy for pupils with additional support needs in a mainstream secondary school.