This summer Barbara and John Frame of Edinburgh University were invited to work with Jeff Creswell to run two courses at Parkrose Community School in Portland, Oregon, from August 13th and 22nd.
The first course was the alumni course, specially organised for experienced Storyline teachers and held over three days. The focus this year was to explore the nature and use of key questioning. During the course participants also produced articles for the Storyline Design newsletter and designed topic outlines for the forthcoming semester. The newsletter articles were broad ranging and stimulating and were indicative of the depth of Storyline thinking experienced by the participants.
The second course was held over five days for teachers new to Storyline. For the first two and a half days the participants worked on a ‘restaurant’ theme, bringing to life a whole mall of varied and stimulating eating places. The remainder of the course was devoted to reflecting on learning and teaching, examining their curricular targets and planning their own topics.
Both courses were characterised by high levels of enthusiasm, commitment and creativity amongst the participants. Good humour was also in abundance.