VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TOUR

1. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Homepage Title Learning Together in Dundee Initiative Objective/s To raise awareness in schools about Dundee City Council’s Learning Together in Dundee initiative. This Virtual Classroom Tour (VCT) provides a complete overview of the structure of the initiative and the strategy implementation programme together with access to a range of classroom evidence. Creator/s LTiD Support Team Date September 2007 Documents Web Links

2. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR About Learning Together in Dundee Background/ What is LTiD? LTiD is Dundee City Council’s flagship policy to raise attainment in all sectors. It draws heavily on the national AifL programme. LTiD is unique in that is has largely sprung from classroom practice and the work of teachers. It is an overarching programme which draws together best practice, takes account of current research and supports schools to develop the most effective approaches to high quality learning and teaching. It emphasises the importance of everyone learning together and helps develop a better understanding of the learning process. The overall aim of the programme is to ensure that all pupils reach their potential and become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors – the four key capacities in The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) – Scotland’s biggest education reform programme for a generation. Rationale Documents LTiD Aims LTiD File information LTiD Overview Web Links Curriculum for Excellence

3. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR People Learning Together in Dundee People LTiD Staff In order to support effective and consistent implementation of LTiD, a Support Team was established in August 2006. Under the leadership of the LTiD Officer, the team consists of:- 6 Primary Support teachers 11 Secondary Support teachers 1 Staff Tutor (Secondary) 1 Staff Tutor (Early Years) All members of the LTiD team are directly involved in the delivery of IN-SET to a wide variety of audiences. Over session 2006-2007, every educational establishment has had some direct support from the LTiD Team with the focus being on consistency of approach across the sectors citywide. The model of support has been welcomed and has enabled much progress to be made in the citywide implementation of LTiD. The inter-personal skills of the team have been recognised as crucial in engaging high numbers of staff in implementing LTiD approaches. Documents LTiD Support Team LTiD Primary Support Team LTiD Secondary Support Team Model of Support Grid Web Links

4. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Project Learning Together in Dundee Project What Is LTiD? The ‘What Is LTiD?’ powerpoint presentation was created specifically for the Scottish Learning Festival, Glasgow, September 2007. It provides an overall picture of how LTiD is implemented in Dundee together with easy links to key documents. Documents LTiD Overall Strategy Web Links

5. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Impact Learning Together in Dundee Impact Observable differences have been noted by: School Staff; Pupils; Management Teams in schools; Quality Improvement Officers; LTiD; Parents/Carers; Others It is difficult to track self-assessment of the QIs related to Learning & Teaching as we move from the 4 point to the 6 point scale and in the future to HIGIOS3. Primary QIOs report that self-assessment in these areas reflects a growing confidence in the way in which LTiD is becoming embedded in schools. Feedback from QIOs indicates that: Use of LTiD approaches are widespread Pupils appear to be taking more responsibility for learning More effective feedback given to pupils is proving beneficial In Secondary schools even the most senior pupils are finding LTiD strategies to be beneficial. Pupil surveys as well as verbal comments show that pupils feel better supported because success criteria are made clear and feedback is formative. Documents LTiD Interim Report Web Links

6. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Next Steps Learning Together in Dundee Next Steps There will be a need to continue work on Success Criteria, particularly to ensure that pupils are involved in generating these. This support may be offered in an even more practical way through ‘LI/SC Unplugged’. This would involve teachers bringing actual plans to a support event where a number of support teachers could help with ideas and ways of refining LIs and SCs. Sessions on LIs as well as other CPD Online will continue to be offered at EDS. The LTiD Team has been asked to give input at Secondary Network meetings. This has proved most worthwhile and will be extended next session. Much of the actual support has taken place in classrooms so a number of management team members have asked that they have some further input to give them a perspective on what has been achieved across the city. The elected members, partnered agencies and other DCC departments may require to have input on LTiD next session. A Learning Week/Festival is planned for September 2008. An inspirational speaker will be engaged to open the festival and Focus on Achievement will round off proceedings at the end of the week. Documents Web Links

7. Innovative Teachers VIRTUALCLASSROOMTOUR Next Steps continued Learning Together in Dundee A DVD showing examples of effective practice from many schools will be produced over the next session and there are also ambitious plans for some LTiD games/resources to be produced. This session we have distributed additional file material on Learning Intentions, Success Criteria and Feedback and further material will be distributed over next session. Making effective links to A Curriculum for Excellence will be a priority next session. In Year2 it is important that SMTs ensure through Professional Support that all teachers engage with LTiD so that pupils can benefit from interactive learning. Documents Web Links