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Darwin day
Feb. 7th, 2009 04:34 pmJust got back from a conference at the University of Birmigham about teaching evolution in schools in recognition of Darwin's birthday (which is this week, the same day as Lincoln's birthday for those who are interested...).
Had a good time, lots of CPD based activities were done. A few lectures in the morning (mostly knowledge, little pedagogy) and a chance to explore some practical resources in the afternoon. All of these were very interesting though one or two of them did require access to some skulls and skeletons which do not come cheap. You needed more than the usual 'human skeleton' model that most schools do have such as gorrilla, orangoutan, T-rex, neanderthal and so on bones and skulls. However, they did mention that there were photos on the website which could be used for a less kinaesthetic lesson.
Did get a massive selection of free stuff, though, including a free copy of 'A rough guide to evolution' which is a book full of stuff. Also paid some money (not all that much, considering) to get hold of a set of DVD based resources which study evolution in the future (1 million to 100 million years ahead) in an interactive way. They look interesting but I have not had a chance to play with them yet. Also comes with timelines and posters and other cool stuff.
In all, the day was well worth the time and money paid... in fact, definitely worth the money as the cheques we paid to get a place (a nominal £10 to book the place) was returned to us for attending so all I really lost was the time and the bus fair (which is stupidly expensive now... another 20p increase on last year...). They also managed gluten free, which was nice. A ham sandwich and some salmon on a corn thin.
Was also surprised to find quite a few of the old biology department from Solihull sixth form college there. Was nice to see them again and catch up on the news of the new building they have just moved into. Had a good chat and worked around the practicals with them and had a discussion about whether a skeleton was a gorilla or an Oranoutan (it was the latter - Pongo Pygmae - but very few people there seemed to know for certain which was shocking for a group of biology teachers, many of them zoologists...)
In other news, my new phone has arrived so I can now do internet things while no where near a computer. At least I will be able to once I figure out how to do _ rather than - so I can access my e-mail and facebook pages... I can also use the sat nav feature to find out where I am when lost which is useful as many people who read this are aware of my ability to get lost in my own bedroom. Unfortunately, it does not come with the maps or resolution to help me navigate our house successfully...
I have come home to find both wife and dog missing, presumed out walking on the field somewhere. She's left her phone on the coffee table so I can't even ring to find out where she is for certain...
Had a good time, lots of CPD based activities were done. A few lectures in the morning (mostly knowledge, little pedagogy) and a chance to explore some practical resources in the afternoon. All of these were very interesting though one or two of them did require access to some skulls and skeletons which do not come cheap. You needed more than the usual 'human skeleton' model that most schools do have such as gorrilla, orangoutan, T-rex, neanderthal and so on bones and skulls. However, they did mention that there were photos on the website which could be used for a less kinaesthetic lesson.
Did get a massive selection of free stuff, though, including a free copy of 'A rough guide to evolution' which is a book full of stuff. Also paid some money (not all that much, considering) to get hold of a set of DVD based resources which study evolution in the future (1 million to 100 million years ahead) in an interactive way. They look interesting but I have not had a chance to play with them yet. Also comes with timelines and posters and other cool stuff.
In all, the day was well worth the time and money paid... in fact, definitely worth the money as the cheques we paid to get a place (a nominal £10 to book the place) was returned to us for attending so all I really lost was the time and the bus fair (which is stupidly expensive now... another 20p increase on last year...). They also managed gluten free, which was nice. A ham sandwich and some salmon on a corn thin.
Was also surprised to find quite a few of the old biology department from Solihull sixth form college there. Was nice to see them again and catch up on the news of the new building they have just moved into. Had a good chat and worked around the practicals with them and had a discussion about whether a skeleton was a gorilla or an Oranoutan (it was the latter - Pongo Pygmae - but very few people there seemed to know for certain which was shocking for a group of biology teachers, many of them zoologists...)
In other news, my new phone has arrived so I can now do internet things while no where near a computer. At least I will be able to once I figure out how to do _ rather than - so I can access my e-mail and facebook pages... I can also use the sat nav feature to find out where I am when lost which is useful as many people who read this are aware of my ability to get lost in my own bedroom. Unfortunately, it does not come with the maps or resolution to help me navigate our house successfully...
I have come home to find both wife and dog missing, presumed out walking on the field somewhere. She's left her phone on the coffee table so I can't even ring to find out where she is for certain...
