Outdoor Learning and Graphic Novels

Just reflecting on a great session last year, straight As in my AdvHGC class and a superb Outdoor learning program. Below, is a canoeing group getting a safety briefing. Based at Action Outdoors, Falkirk.


Of course, we used these images and others, to remember our 'learning' experience of that night and how well we worked as a team and had really intense learning with plenty of 'challenge and enjoyment' . We created a Graphic Novel. (I'll add it here when I find it at work)

As it's after school time for Outdoor Learning programme, we don't formally record these learning events, but it gives me greater satisfaction, as a professional, to experience these kids learning. Last session we had 40+ nights OL. I happily gave up my personal time for this programme.

This session, next May, I will hopefully be descending the Spey - Source to Sea - with a group. An ideal opportunity for cross-discipline work. Geography, English (poestry/creative writing) and we could Design something on the way and look at the Hydro Aspects for technology....just a dream.

S1 - Design Modelling and Presentations ACfE In Action

Trialling some TechEd outcomes involved developing a few capacities as well. Design Modelling, Sustainability and Recycling was used a context for S1 to work in pairs, collaborate and model a design solution. The models were built to scale (numeracy) and then also modelled in Google Sketchup. A free 3D Modelling program. Great for teaching S1 for a few periods then encouraging them to download it and use it at home. They can model their own house to scale, then when we view the world using Google earth, the whole world can see their house !

A great Stimulus for this type of Built Environment lesson Context is either the Teacher runs the Google Earth World Tour of Architecture, or the pupils can use the *kml file. Start with Mayan Temples, Pyramids, Roman Architecture eg Pont du Gard, Hadrians wall, Antonines wall, right through to the CN and Petronas Towers.

As usual, with an Open Ended brief, pupils come up with unique, innovative and realistic solutions. All the other S1 classes want to do the same project now !

The class has 5 ASL pupils who were struggling with the less ACTIVE work.

Try this clip for a starter, good for thinking about why research is so important !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxTZ446tbzE

New school CDT room

This room is a combined Design, Graphics and Technology room.

Playstation Inventor Models

Nathan has some cool renders, done for HGC. All in Inventor 11 (2009). It's an assembly of more than three parts.


Using the standard Inventor Studio Reflective ground plane.

he wanted this view, exploded form a presentation animation, imported into Inventor Studio, I need to learn how to do this !

£40 Interactive whiteboard !

After a bit of tweaking, I have setup the £40 Wiimote touchscreen, next, setup the projector at school to be a free Interactive whiteboard. Here is a video of me using the laptop screen as a touchscreen. It's a phone video so poor quality. Just a wiimote £20, and Infra red led pen, £5 and a USB bluetooth dongle, £7. Wiimote freeboard freeware software and MSNet3, a free download.

Twisting the projector to point straight down onto a desk then having 4 pupils all sketching/designing/modelling/interacting with the PC and each other, at the same time.

All the software and info here.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/projects/wii/

New Build School....cool

For a change, the best and most aesthetic building for miles and miles is a school !

The new pupil entrance and dining/assembly/stage area.

Our new School.........Amazing !!

We have been unpacking and admiring our new school, a totally amazing building, for once a school is the BEST building for miles around !

The Roland CAM Vinyl/Sign cutter and desktop low temp casting units are fantastic. Keep checking here for some projects in mid jan using them. The rooms, one and a half storeys high, are light spcious and very functional. The whole building has a high spec. and has been very well thought out.

Graphic Novels

Last year whilst on the Literacy Working Group, English colleagues mentioned Graphic Novels. I had no idea what GNs were, ignorance is no excuse, so I endeavoured to research them, Trialling some in S1/2, tieing into ACE Technologies Outcomes, some screenshots below.

Pupils are really enthused with them, replacing the normal CD Covers, Flyers etc 5 period DTP slot with CorelDRAW.

A creative pupil's 'own' character Dudey !


Scooby, he is still about.....

Simpsons theme. There is always a moral.......

Achieving Excellence.........ASL Outdoor Learning

Was out on wednesday with a work grp, scenic wee Loch Ard and the narrows leading to the smaller loch, quite a lot of current. We get a FC key so can park the trailer further up.

Hopefully, I will be able to attend the Enquire Conference in March. I enjoy working with - tech teaching and Outdoor Learning - ASL pupils, really excellent experiences with them. Both for myself as a teacher and for the Classroom Assts. Lets me 'know' the way individuals learn in new and challenging situations, that's all pupils, not just ASL pupils. Outdoor Learning is a vehicle for delivering ACE 'challenge and enjoyment'.




The Narrows, I always feel like I'm paddling into 'Swallows and Amazons' when drifting through here.

Adapted boats to make a raft.

Further info about ASL and ACE here, on Bills outdoor Learning Blogg.

We get great support from our councils Outdoor learning Team.

Inventor Renders - AdvHGC Chess pieces

Jordan can create some impressive rendering

Creativity............

How is a pupil creative in both Graphics and Art ?...............that's the question !
It's answered to a certain extent by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. http://talentdevelop.com/articles/Page8.html

I have read two of his books, interesting reading for Teachers of Design, Graphics and Technology. Indeed possibly all teachers, I believe all pupils are Creative, it's just a matter of tapping into it. ACfE will hopefully develop more creative pupils rather than stifle like thru the stricture of 5-14.

Here are some renders and computer work by the same pupil. Mari, S3.

Glass and Chess renders and Models

These renders form part of the Advanced Higher Graphics Modelling units. Inventor used, pupils really enjoy the quick results, mainly revolved and patterned assemblies. Some amazing work by Stacey.

Autodesk Inventor Renders, for Higher Graphics

Autodesk Inventor Renders, for Higher Graphics. Will be used as part of a Portfolio for Uni. Entry. Some good work from Sam.

Adv HGC Magazines

Some good magazines this year, using CORELDraw 11. First draft for Jennifer

Pictogram from two years ago, similar styling.

Exam Results 2008

100% Pass rate for Adv H GC, better than the ind. schools rate, also higher than Nat. Avg HGC pass rate. Over 90% Int GC Pass rate.

Outdoor learning

Some great experiences for pupils last year with a programme of outdoor learning thru our LEA. A wide range of activites, venues, weather and challenges.