Editorial #165 – Diverse scientist resources

Extreme views on the rise in schools

New research from UCL’s Institute of Education has found a concerning rise in extreme views and conspiracism among pupils, ranging from far-right views to racist language and misogynistic or Islamophobic opinions. The UCL researchers recommended that schools strengthen their anti-discrimination policies; promote opportunities for pupils to openly discuss controversial viewpoints, where these can be challenged; and improve the teaching of critical literacy to help them understand the difference between fact and opinion, and the forces which shape the latter. Critical/media literacy is an area we particularly focus on at the CLC, working with schools on our News Project, exploring the topic in depth in our annual online safety conference, highlighting useful resources, giving a Bett talk in 2019 and suggesting classroom activities. Please do get in touch to find out how we can support your school with this important topic.

#DigitalDecade4YOUth

Ignore its clunky title, this EU survey (open to respondents from the UK) is worth a few minutes of your time. Following surveys and focus groups with young people, this questionnaire is to gather input from those who care for, educate or can otherwise influence positive online opportunities and experiences for Europe’s children. The feedback will contribute to the development of a set of digital principles for an interinstitutional declaration between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to be published in late 2021, and to the new Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Strategy to be adopted in 2022. Find out more

Responding to online challenges

Useful new 4-minute animation from the UK Safer Internet Centre on how people working with children can de-escalate and manage situations around online hoaxes and vital stories. Watch the video

A scientist just like me

This is a great new resource from the Primary Science Teaching Trust designed to raise awareness of diversity in science-related jobs and to provide illustrated examples of a wide range of science-based careers. It’s a series of short slideshows, each one ‘telling the story’ of a particular scientist or person working in a science-related job – everything from a space scientist and a civil engineer to a marine biologist and a vet. The people included share details of their work and their everyday lives, making their stories relatable to children. At the end of each slideshow, the children are encouraged to imagine and discuss what it might be like to do that job. Explore the resource

Discover Vygotsky the Teacher

Myra Barrs, longtime collaborator with the CLC on projects such as ‘blogging and writing’ and ‘animating literacy’, has just published ‘Vygotsky the Teacher, a companion to his psychology for teachers and other practitioners’. Myra and her expertise on Vygotsky have been a significant influence on the work of the CLC over the years and we think teachers everywhere will be inspired by Myra’s guide to “the interplay of emotion, cognition and art in Vygotsky’s work”. We thought this photo of Myra with children’s literature legend Michale Rosen was especially heartwarming.

Free event: discover Learning Bridges

Join UNICEF Jordan to discuss the Learning Bridges, a national blended learning programme that links textbooks to technology, school to home, and concepts to practical learning. We worked with UNICEF on Learning Bridges, which has enabled half a million children to continue to learn during the pandemic via a weekly printed and digital activity pack linked to the core subjects. The digital element of Learning Bridges used Padlet as a platform for sharing resources in a range of formats. To learn more about Padlet and how it might support blended learning activities in your school, check out our Padlet tutorial video. Join us on 28 September, 3-4pm. Book now