Buying Old Silver Coins
An antique store owner talks about silver and how it was used to make coins prior to 1964, but its increasing value forced American currency to be made with other elements and alloys. He explains how to buy old silver coins that have the highest level of purity. (2:01)
Buying Gold Coins
An owner of an antique store talks about buying gold coins. In the clip he explains how to determine which style and country of origin
is preferred. He talks about how to make sure to purchase the coins from a reputable dealer. Rare and valuable gold coins can be purchased from France, Belgium, Germany or Italy. (1:20)
Pupil voice is here to stay!
This is a short paper written by Professor Jean Ruddock and issued by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to stimulate debate on the issue of pupil voice.
Spring Flower Seed Planting Guide
A gardener talks about then to plant spring flower seeds. She explains to wait until two weeks after the last frost to plant them in the ground, or start them inside and move them outdoors when the weather warms up. The gardener shows a variety of spring flowers that are good to enjoy all year long.
Becoming a Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education: an ESCalate workshop
This ESCalate workshop took place at the University of Birmingham Conference Park on 22 November. Led by Professor Jean Murray, Dr Pete Boyd and Kim Harris, the authors of Becoming a Teacher Educator, it was attended by forty new teacher educators (NTEs) from HEIs and SCITTS across England and Wales. Consisting of four workshop sessions, the day also offered opportunities for NTEs (in their first three years in the role) to network and to share experiences and concerns. In each of the workshop s
Governance, Funding, Reform and Quality Assurance: policy frameworks for English primary education
On February 29th the Cambridge based Primary Review, which is supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and directed by Professor Robin Alexander, published its four most recent interim reports. The review has commissioned thirty research surveys to be used as evidence and these four reports surveyed more than 200 sources whilst focusing on three from the ten Primary Review themes:
Curriculum and Assessment
Quality and Standards
Funding and Governance
2008 ESCalate conference: Innovation and Development in Initial Teacher Education
The 4th annual ESCalate conference, Innovation and Development in Initial Teacher Education, took place on 16 May. The keynote address, "Teacher Education in the UK: the peculiarities of the English - and of the Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish!", was given by Professor Ian Menter. The rest of the day consisted of a series of symposia, workshops and round table discussions.
Evidence: What counts as evidence in Education?
This glossary article by Professor Richard Andrews explores what counts as evidence in Education and in the research field of Educational Studies.
Evidence Based Education: Keynote at the TTRB Seminar in Redworth Hall, Darlington
At our recent refresh seminar at Redworth Hall in Darlington, Professor Peter Tymms presented a keynote address on 'Evidence Based Education'. Attached to this article is the presentation used and an audio recording of Peter's talk.
Survey of Musical Futures
Musical Futures was a three year project, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, which explored different ways in which informal learning practices and pedagogies could be applied within music education. The project built on the work on Professor Lucy Green in her recent publications (Green 2001, 2008). This survey establishes analyses the impact of the project across secondary schools from teachers’ and pupils’ perspectives. The survey provides an informative insight into the success and fai
The Rose Report and Phonics: A Teacher Education Perspective
This is the report of a UCET seminar called to discuss the implications for ITE of Jim Rose’s Independent review of the teaching of reading. The UCET executive committee wished to provide the membership with the opportunity to discuss, in particular, the research base for the newly recommended emphasis on synthetic phonics. Two keynotes speakers, Professor Kathy Hall and Professor Morag Stuart, contributed to the seminar and were joined by Professor Rhona Stainthorpe, Professor Peter Bryant an
UK ITE Network for Education Sustainable Development/Global Citizenship Annual Conference
On July 9th the UK ITE Network for Education Sustainable Development/Global Citizenship held their annual conference at the Keyworth Centre, London South Bank University. The day focused on the development of a critical perspective within ESD/GC and included speakers from all the nations of the UK as well as Professor Rauni Räsänen of Finland. Professor Räsänen considered how ESD and GC were built into education practice across Finland and identified key implications for Initial Teacher Educ
The "Oh, nothing much" report: The value of the after-school conversation
This report, commissioned by Becta to support its Next Generation Learning Campaign, is written by Professor Tanya Byron, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in child and adolescent mental health. It reports on an investigation into the role that successful communication between parent and child can have on raising attainment. It also considers the impact that technology can have in improving parent-child communication. The research surveyed 1000 children aged 7-14 years of age prima
The Cambridge Primary Review
The Cambridge Primary Review is the most comprehensive enquiry into English primary education for 40 years. The final report and recommendations of the Cambridge Primary Review have now been published in a book entitled "Children, their World, their Education". The publication is edited by Professor Robin Alexander.
The Global Amphibian Crisis
In this video Sir David Attenborough talks about the global amphibian crisis. Â The Zoological Society of London is working alongside Amphibian Ark (AArk), which was founded to carry out an Amphibian Conservation Action Plan. Â This is a video with a terrific and very important message, although you have to listen carefully because the background music is almost overpowering the voice of Mr. Attenborough.
Methods: Observation
Professor Jerry Wellington provides a commentary on a sample chapter on observation from 'Research Methods in Early Childhood Education' by Mukherji and Albon. This chapter provides a helpful introduction to the use of observation, its historical background, different types of observation and some of the problematic issues involved in doing it - such as recording, reporting and the avoidance of bias.
Gathering data
Professor Jerry Wellington provides a commentary on a sample chapter on data gathering from 'Action Research for Improving Educational Practice' by Valsa Koshy. When it comes to data, should we talk about gathering, collecting, creating, acquiring, harvesting or nurturing? Koshy uses the term ‘gathering' data is if it were unproblematic. This is one of the weaknesses of this chapter, but it has many strengths and will be valuable for anyone embarking on a research project in their own setting,
Whose data are they? Ethics in case study research
Professor Jerry Wellington provides a commentary on a sample chapter on ethical issues from 'Case Study Research In Practice' by Helen Simons. Most people undertaking research in their own school or college will be involved in some form of ‘case study research', for example by investigating their own classroom practice or teaching methods. Few will have the time or resources to conduct a large scale, ‘randomised' investigation - hence this chapter on the ethics of conducting case study work
Mixed Methods Research
Professor Jerry Wellington provides a commentary on a sample chapter on mixed methods research from 'Introduction to Research Methods in Education' by Keith Punch. Most research projects into an aspect of teaching and learning (i.e. educational research) will quite rightly employ a mixture of methods. Indeed, the very nature of most important research questions in education (usually what, how or why questions when it comes down to it) actually demands that a range of methodologies and methods wi
‘Islamaphobia, Islam and Education’- British Educational Research Association (BERA) SIG Confere
The Islamaphobia, Islam and Education conference was jointly organised by Lynn Revell and Professor John Preston with the ‘Race, Ethnicity & Education’ and the ‘Religious Education’ special interest groups (SIGs) of BERA. The conference aim was to discuss the issue of Islamophobia within British society and explore how Islam is perceived in both society and education.
