Ok, so BeerMeet last night then, what did we discuss?

We discussed some of the logistics…i.e. I need to find out what the accommodation is like exactly and what the minimum booking is, we’re going to have a quiz, and we might organise drinks through the cash & carry somehow as well. We also discussed that we’d like to get at least 25 folk ideally, but 20 as an absolute minimum – get tapping on shoulders & twisting arms folks!

However, the main outcome from last night was around the purpose of the weekend. John (@MrSMathsWizard) raised an interesting idea that I was really taken by. One of the worries that John, and I, have about the videos we produce is – what are they going to be used for? What is their purpose exactly? Who’s going to watch them and what impact will they have? John suggested that the purpose of the weekend should be a retreat for those of us who care enough about our particular theme to go away and develop a strategy, and some resources, to be able to go back to our colleagues in our own institutions and persuade others of our way of thinking.

This way, whilst we still might make videos, they would have a much clearer purpose – as would the weekend. The videos would be designed to be useable in schools/colleges/universities with our colleagues as part of some sort of CPD event we’d be leading on. This way it’s much more likely to have a sustainable impact, and should prove to be a much richer experience for us professionally also.

As I say, I really am taken by this suggestion. What do others think?

First of all, thanks to Fearghal for organising this and also for setting me up in WordPress! Prices are very good so I’m definitely in. Olivia, Kirsty and I decided at #beermeet that we will also bring some home baking.
John’s suggestion is very good; he’s right that the weekend should really be about thinking, reflecting, sharing our understandings. If we can produce anything, that would be a bonus.
Can I also make a plea? How do we recruit new blood (not that your’s is old). Kenny was spot on when he blogged about our TM community having the same mindset. We really do need other thinkers, other perspectives to get to the heart of effective education in Scotland. How can we do this? Can we discuss this at the retreat? Meanwhile, I’ll keep working on colleagues at work to sign up – tomorrow it’s the lollipop man I’m targeting:)

Sorry I couldn’t make the #beermeet but duty in the form of Chinese lanterns called.
The price is really good and shouldn’t put folks off. I like the idea of a video to get across the atmosphere and enthusiasm – would http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/ be able to find a spot for this? As for the impact – sometimes learning happens unintentionally, so if you just put it out there … you never know it might inspire the casual browser. And there’s always YouTube! Also, may be for the first one you might want people of a similar mind-set, just to help embed the concept of a TeachMeet Retreat – from small acorns …!” For me it’s not the number of people but the diversity and spread geographically that’s the best way of getting the word out. Make it a success (small if necessary) then look to build on that success. It’s a fantastic idea that can’t but be a success.

Me and the weans took a wee trip up to Innerwick today to check out the facilities. The place has been recently refurbished and is really nicely done inside. It is like a high speck youth hostel. It has a new kitchen, nice and big with a big fridge and big freezer. There are two public rooms, one for dining, and one for lounging. Both could be used for group work too, with max of 3 groups in the big room and 2 in the dining room, I guess if there are more groups we could put chairs in the dorm rooms, or if it is nice weather there is plenty of outside space. For sleeping there are 2 twin rooms (shotgun!) and 4 dorm rooms sleeping between 6 and 8 each. The dorms are in two pairs sharing a set of toilets and showers, so would work well are a boys and girls pair of dorms. It was toasty warm inside and there is plenty of parking. Orla’s opinion was that it smelt a bit, but she is 3 – it could have been a compliment! So seems like a good spot for the weekend.

I really like the idea of using the 3Hs tool. We’ve been using it in the dept for our evaluations and DIP development. We have a massive one on the wall in the base covered in post-its. Sad but true.

I think it’s important that we create something (or at least have the backbones that can be fleshed out later) over the weekend. I’m sure through general discussion we’ll have our ususal ‘teacher chat’ and sharing of good practice, but this will help to keep focus and hopefully develop something that teachers across Scotland can possibly tap in to.

Shotgun on one of the tipis.