Research Projects for the Teachers

Here at RCS, we have hundreds of undergraduates, and dozens of Masters performers, but we also have students taking either a PGCert or an MEd in Learning and Teaching in Higher Arts Education.  That means doing a research project.  And then there are the PhD students, too.

New students are introduced to our e-resources, but unless you've taken a close look, you maybe won't realise that some e-journals are specifically aimed at researchers.

Here's the link that takes you to Research, Education and Guidance journals.  There are about 30 titles, so do take time to browse. For a start, Research in Drama Education must surely be useful to quite a few of our postgrads!



If you find a journal that's right up your street, do let the rest of your class know!


AND A LITTLE EXTRA
We recorded a presentation about getting the most from our library catalogue and e-resources. You will find it here:-

• via the Portal:- https://portal.rcs.ac.uk/shared-docs/karen-mcaulay-library-resources/ 
• and on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Aa87ctLRMZU?hd=1  

Awa Tae Scuilwab! (Improve Your Scots Language Skills)

The other day, we blogged about Scuilwab's grown-up cousin, the Dictionary of Scots Language.  But if you haven't encountered Scuilwab, then you've only seen one side of the picture.  Scuilwab is another website about the Scots language, this time with an educational slant.  It's intended for anyone from nursery school teachers to university level folk wanting to improve their Scots language skills.

If you're a folk singer (see if you can find the ballads!), a trainee teacher, or just curious, why not take a look? 

• Scuilwab
• Dictionary of Scots Language  

And if someone tells you to "Awa an' bile yer heid!"?

There's a Mars bar for the first Royal Conservatoire of Scotland registered reader to find a translation on Scuilwab or the Dictionary of Scots Language.  (Post the link as a comment here.)  If you can't find it, try the Urban Dictionary, but there's no Mars bar for that!

Useful Website for Academics: Vitae, from the Chronicle of Higher Education

 Vitae: News and Advice for Higher Education

This is an American website from the Chronicle of Higher Education. Even allowing for some Transatlantic differences, it still offers many useful articles on all aspects of academic life, from diversity and equality to pay, research, and writing.  

Visit the website HERE.

What Makes a Digitally Competent Teacher? Edutech Tells All

We came across this useful posting on the Edutech website:- 

The 7 Characteristics of a Digitally Competent Teacher

 This is likely to be of considerable interest to our B.Ed. students, and the PGCert students training for their teaching certificate in Higher Education.   Also to our Teaching Artist community.

Edutech (Cool tools for the 21st century classroom) homepage - HERE.

Are you a Digital Native? Are your younger Siblings?

Interesting article here on the BBC News and Technology pages. Educationalists refer to the current generation as "digital natives" - it's a controversial subject, because not everyone is as comfortable in the digital environment as their most tech-minded peers.

This BBC article examines the topic in the context of an even younger generation:-

Do we need to rescue our kids from the digital world? 
By Jane Wakefield, Technology reporter

In Praise of Great Teachers - Steinbeck

Tweeter R C de Winter reminds us of John Steinbeck's words about great teachers ...

"... a great teacher is a great artist ..."

Read the whole quotation here.   With thanks to @RCdeWinter!

Compile or Share Reading Lists with Classmates or Staff

It's no secret!

Here's a quick tip for staff and students at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland:-



Looking at already compiled lists

If you log into your library account via the Whittaker Library catalogue, you can gather together books, music and recordings into a list.  Add a description or keywords if you like.


Even if you're NOT logged in, you can see lists you made earlier - and any lists that anyone else has chosen to share!

It's easy to see the value of this function.

• Teachers - compile a reading list for your students, and share it with them.  (We've done this for one of our teachers ... take a look by clicking on My Lists, and then Everybody's Lists)
• Students - keep a note of things you intend to read/have read
• Share a list of music with your class or ensemble
• Share a list of plays with other acting students