Yes I think that will have got your attention especially the fact that you have the opportunity of benefiting financially and your school. If you do then check out https://www.o2learn.co.uk/index.php All you need to do is create video and upload it and hope people vote for it! Every month there will be two winners picked through the ones that have had the most viewers and the most liked. This site has bags of potential and I am sure it will be a huge success – it is from O2, Teaching Awards, TeachFirst, Teaching Leaders and Parent Line plus.
I first heard about this from Sophie Bessemer(@sophiebessemer) who works for Edcomms which is an educational consultancy company – you can see their website here: http://www.edcoms.com/
What is O2 Learn?
Here is what the site says: “O2 wants to help connect people to great teaching. We’re building a video library of great revision lessons, from teachers across the country
O2 Learn can give every 13-18 year old in the UK access to a huge choice of mini-lessons which can help them with revision or to catch up on some subjects that they can’t remember or might have missed. We also think parents could benefit too.
We don’t claim to be teaching experts. But we do know lots about the internet and helping people connect to the people and things that matter to them. So we’re using what we know best to do something important: celebrate the best teachers in action, and connecting them to thousands of potential students.
And we’re letting the students decide which are the best lessons and which teachers should be awarded for their efforts”
I think this is a great resource for teachers, students and parents – teachers could show some of the videos in lessons as a starter instead of using things like youtube. Also students could use it as another learning resource especially with revision and things like that.
It is free to join so sign up and start using. The official launch date is the 5th November but you should be able to start using it now. I have set up my account and have uploaded my first video which I am positive won’t win any money as it isn’t very good I just uploaded it to see how the website works. You can view my How 2 video on the site:
To follow what people are saying about this then you can go on twitter using #02learn
What do you think?
It’s a really good idea, no doubt, which will throw up some brilliant stuff, but if there’s going to be cash involved (and we can argue about that) then the award should go entirely to the school, albeit with the teacher specifically named and credited. The school should then award bonuses from the award, at its own discretion to whichever people were involved (which might, of course, include TAs or lab assistants, or indeed other teachers as well as the one named) Teaching these days is rarely a solitary activity. The climate which enables good teaching is vital.
The practice in techie businesses, I believe, is that innovations created in the course of work, which make money, or which are patented, belong to the firm, which then, if it has any sense, and wants to hang on to good employees, will reward the people involved. You could argue that the teacher who wins an O2 award might shell out some of it to a TA on their own initiative, but really that’s not a very professional way to do it and could cause problems that will take the shine off the whole thing.
Maybe the Award people have thought through all of this and can put me right.
Pingback: The Daily Digest(ive) November 8th 2010 | Creative Education Blog
I highlighted your post in my Daily Digest of Education related blogs today as I thought other teachers would find it of interest. You can see it here: http://bit.ly/aFxibR
I know what your saying Gerald but trying to get anything like that amount of money from my school would be impossible. if I made a video with colleges I would share the money but if it all went to the school I doubt I would see a tenth of the money so I think they are bring very clever.
Posting as the winner of the second award I have “chosen” to donate the vast majority of the teacher award back into school the rest externally to good causes. Giving to the Band Association, Year 11 Prom, Maths Department, Year Teams for rewards + my sons University Kayak Club, Breast Cancer, Local hospices and charities all having a share. This has allowed the department to purchase software that was previously out of reach.
The reality is I could not have won without the 100% superb support of the students and extended staff. The fact o2 are supporting schools in this way should be applauded and the opportunities to embrace independent learning massive, on VLEs, pcs, handheld devices etc.
I personally think the opening post is rather a blinkered opinion and assumes those involved are selfish and cannot see the wider picture. If a young teacher wins and needs the cash good luck to them for having a go. But I honestly believe those taking part are well aware a much larger team is involved. The smiles in school this week have been fabulous and the students response positive in every respect. Would I do another of course I would.
Congratulations Nick this is a great achievement and thanks for posting a comment! When you are saying the opening post is a blinkered approach I think you mean one of the first comments and not my blog post? As I only speak about this in a positive way! It is great to see that the money has gone to make a positive difference to the school well done!
Thank you and apologies, I did indeed mean the comment.
I imagine this is a method of sharing ideas that will develop rapidly in the UK with the new generation of phones and i-pads etc. From a light hearted KS3 starter like mine intended to promote a discussion to A-Level serious revision. The possibilities endless! Ultimately the students have enjoyed having a bit of fun and looking at Maths with enthusiasm. I strongly believe that if you can develop that confidence / enthusiasm you are on a winner as a teacher.