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Welcome to the latest BT Learning and Skills update. We hope you find the information contained below both useful and informative.
You can find information about all of BT's Learning and skills programmes, provide us with your feedback and access our large range of free education resources at:
All Talk is a new set of multimedia resources from BT to support English GCSE and A level students in the study of spoken language, speaking and listening. It includes interaction with all forms of digital media.
A 100 page workbook with accompanying DVD to support a range of engaging classroom activities has been sent to every secondary school in the UK. All of the materials, plus extras, are also available online.
All Talk has being developed in close consultation with AQA, the National Association of Teachers of English, and individual teachers and students across the UK.
The winners of the Shine a Light awards, which were designed to honour individuals, teams, projects, communication friendly settings and communities that have demonstrated excellence in supporting the needs of all children and young people’s communication, including those with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), have been announced.
Jack Marshall, a 13-year-old boy from Doncaster, who was once told he would never walk or talk, is celebrating after winning the BT Young Person of the Year Award.
Steve Kelly, BT’s corporate responsibility engagement manager, said: “The Shine a Light awards have truly shown the outstanding work that has been carried out in support of the Hello campaign. “Jack’s positive outlook and sense of purpose is awe-inspiring and he truly deserves to be crowned ‘Young Person of the Year’.”
Jack, who has Moebius Syndrome which means his speech and language is affected as well as his co-ordination and balance, received his award at a special award ceremony hosted by Vanessa Feltz, Despite being blind in one eye and wearing two hearing aids, Jack has made huge progress in his communication skills thanks to 10 years of intense speech and language therapy. Just three years ago his speech was unintelligible.
Jack – who has become an advocate for other children with
disabilities
- said: “If you can’t do something - talk or sign - just keep on
trying, because eventually, like me, you will do it.”
Primary schools throughout the UK are being invited to sign up for the first national Communication Triathlon for schools.
More than 500 schools have already registered for the project, which offers a series of free fun events intended to boost children’s speaking and listening skills.
Launched by Openreach and the children’s charity I CAN, the programme encourages pupils to take part in three London 2012 Games-themed speaking and listening activities, based on thinking, talking and teamwork.
Part of Get Set, the official London 2012 education programme, the Communication Triathlon has been designed by communication and education experts, and is aimed at two age groups, four to seven and seven to 11.
Activities can be undertaken by a class, a year group or a whole
school over the course of a week or even a day.
The programme incorporates curriculum-linked communication activities that support children’s school work, such as sports bingo, secret striker, memory relay and even a listening assault course.
Youngsters taking part receive a certificate and participate in a closing ceremony to celebrate their achievement and recognise their hard work.
BT Scotland is working with Young Enterprise Scotland (YES) to help 200 young people plant their feet firmly on the employment ladder. They’ve launched a new initiative called EMPOWER , a training programme designed to give high school students the edge as they hunt for jobs in an increasingly competitive market.
BT Scotland is funding 16-week training courses for pupils aged 15 and 16 from 10 secondary schools around Scotland, culminating in successful candidates gaining an SQA Enterprise and Employability qualification.
The modular based programme tackles the real world issues which must be overcome to progress from a secondary school or tertiary learning environment into a fulfilling working career or further study. Students are being equipped with the confidence and motivation to project their careers into any field or type of employment they desire.
The programme focuses on career development and personal development, helping pupils understand the key ingredients and formality of a good CV and how to prepare for interviews
BT Scotland director Brendan Dick said: “As a major employer we are extremely well aware of the intense competition that young people face when they enter the jobs race. In these tough economic times, it’s vital that we support our students and transform their youthful enthusiasm into valuable skills that can shape their future careers.”
A record number of students have applied for the 2012 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.
With 1,743 ideas entered by 3,842 students from 32 counties across Ireland, it’s clear the appetite from young people to drive growth and sustainability is stronger than ever.
BT Ireland chief executive Colm O’Neill said: “There is a major challenge to create sustainable jobs in Ireland.
“The talent, drive and entrepreneurship are there, evident from the superior level of this year’s entries to the exhibition. We are hugely encouraged that the numbers of exhibition entries has increased again this year”.
For 2012, BT has extended the space at the exhibition to allow more students to take part. There are now 550 places available, an increase of 30 on last year, allowing up to 90 additional students to take part in January.
Through its investment in the exhibition, BT aims to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and commercialisation, thus driving skills and innovation for the benefit of Ireland.
Students can win up to £100 by entering the My Hearing My Future competition, supported by BT and run by Deafness Research UK.
Students are being invited to help “Sonar ”, Deafness Research UK’s very own Superhero, by contributing ideas on research, technologies and inventions that could help him improve the world for people with hearing loss.
On the My Hearing My Future website you will find lots of resources on subjects covering technological and biological advancements and more. All you have to do is click on what interests you!
There is also a slideshow available to download for teachers that includes ideas for lessons around sound and hearing. The slideshow is informative and fun and aspects can be used for students in both KS3 and KS4.
Please spread the word by downloading and printing Sonar’s poster to put up in your school.
Youngsters have designed a smartphone app for visitors to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - and scooped a first prize of £1,000 worth of equipment in a BT-backed initiative.
Pupils at Chantry High School, in Suffolk, were crowned winners of the latest UK STEM Challenge, supported by BT as the official communications services partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
STEM Challenges are a series of competitions designed to encourage young people aged 11-14 to use skills learnt in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) to help prepare for London 2012.
They are managed by STEMNET - the STEM network, which works in partnership with major organisations to manage the challenge for secondary schools.
STEM Challenge 7 asked students to help make London 2012 “everyone’s Games”, by designing an app that provides useful information, communication and accessed in the best way possible in order to contribute to a great Games’ experience for all.
Following regional competitions, eight schools from across the UK battled it out at the final, which took place at the Natural History Museum in London.
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