Feedback on evaluations

Comments from delegates were very helpful and will inform changes we make for next year, when we will definitely aim to run such a conference again.

The main problem raised, for which I take full responsibility, was the mis-calculation of numbers for sessions. I had assumed that more people would go to the Aberdeen room sessions so that the workshops would even out. Far more people wanted to go to the 2730/33 sessions than I had anticipated, so apologies for that. Many people suggested that we should get delegates to opt for sessions in advance to ensure demand can be met. We will find a mechanism to do this next time.

There were lots of positive comments on specific sessions, which I will not embarrass speakers with here (likewise any negatives!). Overall, people seemed to like the fast pace (with a couple of exceptions), the choice of workshops and other sessions, the expertise and the sharing approach, the variety and the external stalls on show.

What people particularly want more of:

1. advanced info on precisely what the sessions will involve (i.e. not just unit numbers)
2. print work for coursework units
3. something on Section b of the textual analysis unit
4. something for teachers new to the specification
5. Q and A 1 to 1 opportunities in a more formal structure with Principal Examiners
6. more on how to teach the research unit
7. session on how to raise achievement with student writing
8. exemplar scripts
9. practical hands-on training sessions on software and equipment

For 1-6, we can try to ensure that all will be on offer next time. The moderation session concentrated on video whilst there was a teacher-led workshop on print, which we could reverse next time. Section A was the focus this time, so section B can be next for 2731 and though new teachers were in a small minority, we could offer a specific workshop discussing broad questions and how to organise a course next time. We could build in one-to-one surgeries and also ask a successful practitioner to take delegates through how they organise the research unit. Helping students with writing in exams would also make a good session if we can find the right teacher to run it !

We would probably leave the exemplar scripts to the other INSET days which are a different (more traditional) format and have more time for looking at material in detail (they will again be divided into As and A2 separate days). As for practical training, this is very difficult for OCR to run. The BFI have tried it with iMovie at the annual conference, but it does take a lot of setting up. Keynote have run courses with digital editing and I believe Photoshop, whilst Phillip Allan Updates are running a Final Cut course at Long Road again this June. Please see the relevant providers' websites for details.

Other things asked for included more courses outside London, which we would like to do but they do not prove cost effective as take up is so small and sometimes they have to be cancelled. Realistically the only place we can hold a big conference with lots of speakers is London.

If you have any further comments which I have not addressed here, please click on the comments button and leave them for me to get back to you !

Pete Fraser