Top Professor Speaks at Education Conference
Thursday 30th October 2008
Education workers from Scotland and beyond are taking the opportunity to meet an international figure in philosophical enquiry when he comes to Clackmannanshire next week.
Professor Phil Cam from the University of New South Wales is the keynote speaker at Clackmannanshire Council's Curriculum for Excellence Conference being held on Wednesday 5th November.
Professor Cam is President of the Asia-Pacific Philosophy Education Network for Democracy. He has written several books related to philosophical inquiry for children, some of which have been widely translated, and he is the author of many articles on related aspects of education. He has edited a series of books for UNESCO.
Professor Cam believes introducing philosophy to the classroom can produce excellent academic results and positive social outcomes for children. He has been teaching philosophy to primary school children in Australia for the past 15 years: the demand for this type of schooling led to the development of the first on-line philosophy program, enabling teachers across Australia to access and introduce it into their curricula.
On Tuesday 4th November Professor Cam will be working with pupils and staff in two of the county's schools then on 5th November he will be speaking on 'Curriculum for Excellence - A Journey of Change' at the conference which is being held at Stirling Management Centre.
Around 100 delegates are attending the event including a party from Scandinavia who are keen to take the opportunity to hear Professor Cam speak.
The conference will see staff involved in Scottish education sharing how they are implementing a Curriculum for Excellence at a range of workshops.
Curriculum for Excellence aims to improve the learning, attainment and achievement of children and young people in Scotland by ensuring that pupils achieve on a broad front, not just in terms of examinations. A Curriculum for Excellence should enable all young people to become:
- successful learners
- confident individuals
- responsible citizens
- effective contributors
Clackmannanshire has long been at the forefront of introducing philosophical inquiry into the classroom with the Thinking Skills Initiative first being introduced in 2001.
Dr Steve Trickey, Senior Educational Psychologist, said: " The Clackmannanshire 'Thinking through Philosophy' Project enabled schools to deliver several key abilities that underpin the four Curriculum for Excellence capacities. We obtained evidence following a detailed evaluation of the project that collaborative enquiry can enable pupils to think more independently, communicate more confidently and ultimately become more successful learners."
Jim Goodall Head of Schools added: "We believe that the type of dialogue that is developed when we work with pupils through philosophical enquiry is fundamental to the delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence in Clackmannanshire. Thinking and communication skills are at the heart of learning and are essential in all walks of life. We are delighted that Phil Cam, whose work is so highly regarded internationally, will not only attend the conference but influence the authority's next steps in its strategy to deliver the new curriculum."
See also
Page tools
Bookmark & ShareContact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Communications and Marketing Manager, Communications
Greenfield House, Tullibody Road, Alloa, FK10 2AD
Tel: 01259 452023 / 450000
Email: press@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.
