Doncaster South City Learning Centre News

CLC South Refurbished, Rebranded and Relaunched

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:34:59 GMT

There have been further alterations of the building this year. Following on from last year�s development of the �Creative� space, more improvements have been made to the teaching and meeting environments within the building. New colour schemes have been applied to the rooms, as well as the addition of decorative and informative wall displays as a finishing touch to numerous spaces, including the café area and the Wellness Zone. The renaming of the rooms is also part of the re-branding process.

Regular users of the CLC will notice the high profile re-branding programme taking place. The first people to be introduced to the new imagery and matching attitudes were the hundreds of educational staff that received the new marketing packs at the end of last term. This marketing material not only introduces clients to the new logos, imagery, and the new streamlined structure of the CLC (CPD and Student) but also outlined all the products and services offered by the CLC over the forthcoming academic year.

More significant changes being made will be mentioned in later news bulletins, but a redesigned Schools� reception, a newly created space for the CLC�s CPD program and a really exciting Television related development are all part of the work that has been carried out over the summer.

This is all just phase one!!

A celebration event will take place in the near future, to launch this exciting new phase for Doncaster South CLC.

Danum Pupils Enjoy Pop Promo Mayhem at CLC South

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:09:39 GMT

Danum Technology College recently staged its annual �Activity Week�. This involves the School�s Pupils enjoying a wide variety of activities in order to celebrate the upcoming end to the academic year.

One of the options for the week was �Multimedia Week�. The basis of this was for the pupils to spend three days at Doncaster South CLC, learning how to produce, film, and edit Music Videos.

The students in attendance, from years 7 to 10, had CLC tutor led sessions on a wide variety of subjects related to the creation of Music Videos. The topics covered included, Music Video �theory�, Preproduction, Production, and Post-production as well as practical �hands-on� sessions related to Video Camera Operation, Video Editing and Storyboarding. That was just day one!

On Day 2, with a hectic day of learning and planning behind them, the students embarked on a day of creativity and hard work. The location was Danum School itself, and the task was for the two Production Groups to �shoot� their planned Videos, while undertaking specific roles within the Production teams. Taking full advantage of a relatively deserted building, and the HD Camera equipment from the CLC, the students filled the air with the sounds of Mika and Michael Jackson during a particularly hectic but incredibly successful day of filming.

The third and final day was the editing of the footage filmed the previous day. It was a challenging but enjoyable day where the students pieced together their ideas using Digital Video Editing software. The competitive nature of the groups shone through, as each group strove to �out do� the other. In the end it was too tight to call a winner � both groups were superb throughout the week, and all of them said how much they had enjoyed themselves.

CLC Curriculum Manager, Damian Ward said: �It was an incredible week for all involved, both students and staff. It was a difficult and challenging three days for the pupils, but they responded in exactly the right way, and everyone enjoyed themselves � including the CLC Staff. Ultimately, we all learnt something from the experience. As a bonus, I think we may have discovered one or two Media students of the future, which is superb. We�re looking forward to next year.�

CLC to the power of 3 for Becta Projects

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:08:15 GMT

Doncaster South CLC has been heavily involved with three recent bids for Becta funded projects in the Borough. We are proud to say that all three bids were successful.

Doncaster South City Learning Centre, Mexborough Specialist Science College and The McAuley Catholic High School have successfully submitted 3 proposals totalling £75,000 for funded projects to exploit online digital resources to enrich teaching and learning. The resulting learning materials will be innovative, engaging and interactive for the learner. Completed learning materials will be delivered to our Regional Broadband Consortium (YHGfL) for National sharing on the NEN.

This exciting new programme is called �Repurpose, Create and Share� and is aimed at the creation and re-purposing of digital content and resources for Schools in and around Doncaster. The three areas of the Curriculum that these projects will focus on are Maths, History and Creative & Media.

The projects will run until November of this year, and will be led by representatives from the schools with both technical and project management support coming from the CLC and its staff. Roy Huggins at Mexborough Specialist Science College will lead on the �Doncaster Local and Oral History Project�, Marie Darwin at The McAuley Catholic High School has responsibility for the �Hands on Maths� project and Lee Baker, also at McAuley, will head the �Exploring Creative and Media Industries� project.

Lorrayne Hall, Head of the Centre said: �These projects offer Doncaster Schools a fantastic opportunity to work with Industry experts that will enable staff to create online resources, share expertise and develop skills to help with their own content creation for Doncaster e-Portal and Frog VLE�.

Digital Roadshow Coming Your Way!

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:06:26 GMT

Bookings Forms for the sessions can now be downloaded here. Once complete, please email your forms to us at enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net

Interested? Then please take some time to fill out an Expression of Interest form.

Can't See the PDF? You can download a copy of it here.

CLC South has high hopes for High Def

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:32 GMT

The future of Media Technology has arrived!

Doncaster South CLC has recently made a significant investment to upgrade its Media equipment stock, to incorporate the latest Video format on the market � High Definition. This investment in state-of-the-art technology will further cement the Centre�s ability to offer cutting edge Media resources to its clients.

This new technology includes two different grades of HD Video camera, and a Mac based Non-linear Editing station for users of high end Apple software such as Final Cut Studio 2. The addition of Industry standard Audio recording technology means that professional quality Video Production is possible, not only within Curriculum delivery, but also on the project work in which the CLC is involved.

The equipment investment doesn�t stop with Video technology. The new stock of equipment also offers the luxury of two grades of Digital stills camera, both �point and shoot� and also Canon EOS Digital SLR options. The extension of the CLC�s hardware capabilities is also a major development in the Centre�s capacity for Media and ICT delivery across the entire Curriculum spectrum.

Curriculum Manager Damian Ward said: �Today�s students are raised in an environment where audio visual stimulation is the norm. The work we are doing with interactive media is about valuing a range of learning styles to stimulate, enthuse and inspire with innovative technology. Our new HD cameras enable students to use the highest professional quality equipment which in turn, raises their game and adds extra impact to their work.�

CLC takes CPD provision to market

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:31:13 GMT

In yet another example of the CLC breaking new ground in educational practice, we are about to launch a major marketing campaign based around our CPD provision.

CPD means Continuing Professional Development and is an integral part of the CLC�s new strategy. CPD consists of reflective activity, designed to improve an individual�s attributes, knowledge, understanding and skills. It supports individual needs and improves professional practice.

The campaign is aimed at helping teaching staff to understand how they can benefit from a professional development program to suit their needs. These development sessions cover a wide range of areas including:

General Computer Skills
General Software
Interactive Whiteboard
Podcasts and Blogs
Use of Video/Sound/Animation
Learning Platforms
3D Technologies
Basic Web Design
Taecanet
VLE
Plus many more�..

The range of CPD programs being offered by the CLC are designed to help teaching staff to develop their skills. The courses will assist staff in getting the required skills at a pace that suits the individual, while addressing the personalised learning agenda and promoting the use of Virtual Learning Environments.

CPD represents a very exciting new phase for Doncaster South CLC.

For further information about our CPD programs please visit the CPD link.

�Creative� Launch @ CLC South

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:34:06 GMT

Doncaster South CLC has forged a reputation for setting standards in Curriculum delivery, delivery techniques and the use of technology within Educational environments. The newly created facility known as �Creative� is designed to continue this attitude to innovation.

The �Creative� suite at the Balby Carr based City Learning Centre is a dramatic development in terms of technology, versatility and size. The educational space has a range of facilities available to the Schools, Colleges and Businesses in the Borough as well as the surrounding Community.

The space has been designed and built by Confetti-Constellations, a Nottingham based company with extensive experience in creating modern, effective and stylish educational environments. �Creative� benefits from 30 dual boot i-Mac machines, as well as 10 PC�s. The room has a state of the art 3D projector and screen, and multiple projectors within the area allow the teaching staff to project various images onto different spaces within the room which increases the possibilities for lesson delivery. A flexible room layout creates a multi-purpose teaching environment that can accommodate up to 50 students simultaneously. The room can also be used for Video Production work due to the Chroma curtain and the centre�s extensive equipment stock.

Lorrayne Hall, the Head of the Centre said ��.the redesign and development of this area has been significant for the CLC. It not only increases our ability to offer a state of the art teaching environment, but also means that we are really well equipped to meet all the Media and ICT requirements of our visiting students and staff as well increasing the range of activities that we are able to offer�.

The Changing Faces of the CLC

Doncaster South City Learning Centre - enquiries@doncastersouthclc.net — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:36:32 GMT

Changes are afoot at the CLC!

As of April 1^st the CLC team has taken on a fresh new look.

The changes don�t stop with the team. We are now Becta funded and our operations will be in line with the Becta guidelines. These are significant changes and mean a fresh and exciting new outlook for the CLC.

A recent restructure means that there are a number of new faces on the staff at the Centre. These changes mean that the CLC is not only in a position to continue the great work that it has become associated with over the past five years, but is also very well equipped to develop the services that it has traditionally offered. The changes have allowed the centre to add a number of skills to its already experienced team.

Lynn Harris joined the CLC team last September as e-Learning and Training Manager and she is also Centre deputy. She has been involved with teaching and training in a variety of ways since 1981. For the last 14 years she worked at Dearne Valley College as co-ordinator of the C&G Teacher Training provision, and later as e-Learning Programme Area Manager. This involved managing an on-line learning IT Centre open to the local community, SMEs and college students. More recently, Lynn�s role was ILT Curriculum Manager sourcing, preparing and delivering staff development opportunities to support staff CPD to enhance teaching and learning with the use of Technology. Lynn�s experience and expertise plays a major role in the effective administration and internal communication within the centre.

Damian Ward has joined the centre as Personalised Learning Curriculum Manager. Damian has over 15 years experience of working in a variety of Secondary Schools. In that time he has had great success with both vocational and curriculum based areas of study. Damian joins us from St. Wilfrid�s school in Wakefield where, amongst many achievements, he played a major role in the creation of the district�s recently successful �Creative and Media Diploma� bid. Damian�s knowledge and experience will be instrumental in our ability to develop both course content and delivery. This will help to ensure that the Centre�s high standards will be maintained.

Cal Johnson joins the team as the resident Media Production specialist. Cal has spent the last four years teaching Production based content at a number of Colleges in South Yorkshire, most recently Doncaster College, and Rother Valley College in Dinnington. Prior to this he was responsible for designing and managing the internal TV Station for BT, as well as producing and directing Corporate Videos for the company. A background in Drama production and Music Videos will help to increase the Media related options that the Centre can offer.

Phil Croxford joins the team as a member of the support team. Phil will not only be a friendly face to visitors on the reception desk but be a vital member of the Technical team. Phil�s background of both ICT Technical support and Customer service means that he is a valuable addition to the team, and his flexibility means that the Centre can continue to run as smoothly as ever.

For full details of our team, please visit the �About Us� link at the top of the page.