Forum news
Latest News - Page 31
Tuesday 28th July, 2009
Teachfirst Summer Institute 09
By Admin
The Edge Learner Forum (ELF) is all about making education better for young people where it really matters- in schools and institutions on a day to day basis.
So, on July 27th an elite squad of London members made their way into deepest darkest Kent to take part in the Teachfirst Summer Institute, a 6 week course to prepare trainee teachers for the real school experience. The ELF was invited down to kickstart some conversations between young people and the teachers, REPRESENTING the point of view of the STUDENTS they’re going to teach.
ELF members and the teachers took part in workshops, each group putting themselves in the place of a failing school and then cooking up an ingenious ‘Action Plan’ to turn things around. After some hardcore brainstorming, it all went a bit ‘Dragons’ Den’, with each group having to present their big solution back to a panel of judges.
And to round it all off, a handful of brave members got involved with the closing presentation, summing up the day for a whopping 300 people!
When things got underway, the whole room was bubbling with fresh ideas. One group came up with an idea for an 'Olympics at school', to sync up with London's 2012 Olympics and inject some variety into education. There was also a brainwave for a massive Activities Day programme, which would see everything from live science demonstrations to business workshops for young people to a carnival with games and stalls, to get the parents interested!
The winning groups were picked based on how strong their action plan was, how well they presented it back, and, most importantly, how much they LISTENED to the opinions of the young people who took part.
A big congrats to everyone who came down and took part. Among the champions were our very own Huda and Roxanne, so extra congrats to you two!
Let' s hear from a few of the eyewitnesses:
Nathan: 'The thing I liked best about the event was that the trainee teachers were really listening to what we had to say. When it came to the report our ideas came up, you could see them in there. That was great.'
Diven: 'I liked it because there was a lot of focus on the student perspective. Usually in school it feels like a one-way thing, with the teacher always telling you how to do things. This was a chance to reverse that.'
Adam M: ' I think it worked. It showed that there's not a huge gap between the teachers and the youth, which is what a lot of people believe. The curriculum is the real problem-it's too regimented.'
Thursday 23rd July, 2009
Talent Matters - Jade's Perspective
By CJ
Talent enterprise and NESTA organised an event in London on the 8th of July called ‘Talent matters’. As a member of the edge forum I was interested in attending and giving my ideas on what talent is and who has it. It was a long day that was well organised with a few famous faces around. The location was modern, differently furnished but inviting to be in and everyone attending received a personal name tag (which gave everyone a sense of importance and well, we knew each others name). Although I didn’t really feel like I was engaged in many of the activities or presentations that took place-we were all talked to as a group of networks rather than individuals. There were plenty of times where I would lose track on what was happening and I don’t speak alone when I Say it was fairly draining. However, there were many refreshments that would give members a bit if energy to focus on what was coming next.
On a positive note, the opinions and stories of the celebs that were there was intriguing to listen to and to find out how their journey was to get to where they are now was very beneficial and in a way, inspiring.
If there was one thing I took away from the event, it would be that everyone has talent, even if it is undiscovered and there is a job out there to suit every person. From a personal view, I realised that I can talk about edge confidently and explain exactly who we are and what we do. I got a sense of enjoyment from speaking to total strangers from other networks and comparing why we were there.
Wednesday 24th June, 2009
NYBEP Snap-Dragon Tour Kicks Off!
By CJ
On the 24th June 2009 the Edge learner forum team participated in the first of the seven road shows.
The members who were involved with this were Me (Max) and Simone also present was Chris James aka CJ who is the forums leader. This took off at Harrogate pupil referral unit, the building and the surroundings there were pretty good, inside the building was spacious and we had lots of room to set-up. The tutors within were generally welcoming which set the mood and the atmosphere to a calm and soothing environment, also the pupils who joined in were calm and I think they had a good time!
They all got involved, some more than others but this is ok as I think they all took something away with them and they did well to keep focused. The workshop we held for the young pupils was 45mins-1hour long which was just about the right amount of time for a short and catching session. I thought as a whole the workshop we ran went well and everyone involved enjoyed what we said and what we did. The session is all about asking questions and becoming more involved in shaping your future. I hope they have had a chance to think and reflect about the future and the questions they might ask.
There was a little lad who was into pigeon racing, I was impressed by that, most people would be intimidated saying stuff like that in front of people as others were more into rally driving and boxing. Completely different!
After presenting the roadshow I feel more confident. It made me think about what questions I would want to ask. I feel good about it knowing that they are going to listen to me cos I'm close to their age, makes them feel more comfortable and that makes me feel more confident having had that positive influence. Its like yeah man!
Max Jackson
Wednesday 24th June, 2009
Sarah Haughan interviews Iron Man Sarah Graham
By Admin
Wednesday 3rd June, 2009
Edge Action Meet 3/6/09
By Dave
A quick update from the Doncaster Forum. We have now directed people to their specific roles.
David, Mathew, Mark, Lisa, John, Liz and Luke are to perfect our drama piece for inset days.
Arron is to arrange an interview with the headmaster at Hallcross school.
Alex is to contact Carole Dunkerley about consultations and influencing the new proposed Doncaster resource centre.
David and Richard to contact Danum and Allsaints schools next week, beginning 8 June.
Friday 29th May, 2009
Progress meeting
By Craig
On 29th April the Doncaster Forum Action Team came up with their plan of attack on Doncatser. The team made up of Jenny, Liz, Richard and Alex came up with the 5 step plan.
STEP 1 - Make sure that the remainder of the questionnaires are collected up
STEP 2 - Start to sign up and brief 500 young associates ( this will be done in partnership with vinvolved and hopefully using the bigvbus)!!
STEP 3 - Continue to identify role models and interview them - this will be done at the next forum event.
STEP 4 - Get in touch with the local counvil in relation to the construction of 2 new youth centres in. A list of the contact details is on the wall so the members are equipped to get in touch and get the ball rolling.
STEP 5 - To make contact with the schools after May 1/2 term and set dates for the drama piece to be performed in schools in September to deliver the edge message. The schools which will be targeted are; Hallcross, All Saints and Danum.
The forum action team are also working on a Doncaster Forum promotional DVD for organisations and potential members.
Will keep you updated with our progress towards the PLAN!!
Over and out!