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Welcome
//‘Don’t learn to do, but learn in doing.’//

toc media type="custom" key="75783"Whether you have stumbled across us or been invited, you are equally welcome. Regardless, we generally find that visitors have some questions they would appreciate answers to. We will do our best to help and in exchange, would you please sign the guest book at the bottom of this page. If you want to drop us a line or get in contact, you can either use the wikimail or try out our NEW [|'contact us']sheet. Dont forget to sign our guest book at the bottom of the page, thanks.

So, there are **THREE** equally important questions;
 * 1) What is a wiki?
 * So, what is a BTEC qualification and what is it like to be a BTEC in Sport student at Tauntons College?
 * 1) How can we collaborate? Could the BTECNationalsinSport wiki be the meeting place for connected thinking?

Question 1
Well, simply, a wiki is a **collaborative learning space.** In education, it is best described as //'three dimensional ring binder (folder),'// where staff and students can share their learning experience. Wikis are not a new phenomenon, but are certainly a core contributor to what is referred to as [|Web 2.0] or the write-rewrite web evolution, originally designed to promote //'connected thinking.//' **So lets get connected.** Lets use some media to communicate what a wiki is and how it connects.

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How has the internet evolved? This is probably best explained using one of the most well used Web 2.0 resources, YouTube. A short film called 'The Machines are us/ing us' created by Professor of anthropology Michael Wesh, explains the internet evolution and why we can now work together using digital text. media type="youtube" key="NLlGopyXT_g" width="425" height="350"

Question 2
//'BTEC National Diploma in Sport: Requirements: at least **FOUR** GCSEs at C or above including English or Maths **OR** a Merit at BTEC First with English GCSE at C or above.

Assessment: continuous coursework-based assessment throughout the course. At Tauntons College the course has a **'football focus'** and provides the skills needed to start working as a football coach or to access higher education. Students learn by assignments, presentations, discussions and preparing for FA Coaching Qualifications. The course is equivalent to **THREE** A Levels. If you need more information, visit the [|The College Prospectus.]//

What this means is that BTEC National in Sport courses are **assignment** rather than exam based, however vocational courses are equally applicable to studying at University as traditonal A Levels. What is unique, is that, at Tauntons College we deliver this BTEC qualification with a **'football focus.'** Lessons outcomes are achieved by presenting and discussing the __required sports knowledge__ through __football related topics__ where ever compatiable.

include page="HTML_div_pullquoteleft_open"Importantly, it is 'NOT A QUALIFICATION IN FOOTBALL' although students do get the opportunity to complete on the FA Level Certificate in Coaching Football.include page="HTML_div_close"

The Students View
So, what is it like to be a BTEC in Sport student at Tauntons College? Two second year BTEC students recorded their experiences over the course a typical day using their mobile phone camera. They recorded clips, interviews and took pictures, which they then edited to present 'Bill and Sam's BTEC Edventure.' Not quiet ready for Hollywood directors but at least YOU get a feel for the course from their perspective.

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Straight from the Horse Mouth
In addition to the film, we give all students the opportunity to write their own uncensored student testimonies, accounts and view points from the students themselves. Parents can also find out more about college life and the course in the parents room.

Question 3
With a little imagination, creativity and thoughtful pedagogy, wikis can be an inspiring learning tool. (Want to learn more about [|wikis?]). Wiki teaching is limited only by those who can creatively develop the 'teachnology.'

//'The inventiveness of the teachers and students has been amazing. Teachers (and, in many cases, students) have developed some tremendously innovative and useful activities for learning.' [|Georgia Tech] November 2000.//

We are hoping both students and staff from partner colelge will contribute to this resource. Feel free to use and contribute to the BTECNationalsinSport wiki, just a note of caution, wikis value 'decentralised' steering and are consequently fragile. Please handle and direct us with care and please follow the wiki charter.

Where are we Now?
The BTECNationalsinSport wiki has been structured and designed for teachers and students to collect and share information through the The Learning Bank. It is a collaborative work in progress, very much in the early stages but is being test driven by the staff and students at Tauntons College (with some really postive results, just read the student's [|thoughts]). Specifically, staff are test driving the inherent and embedded features of the wiki and actively soliciting feedback from learners.

In **micro,** as it might in your institution, the wiki now services **THREE** roles, firstly and most importantly to support teaching and learning on the BTEC courses. Second, it has become a tool for two-way communication between staff and students, between staff and parents and between students themselves. Third it has been designed to help students understand the learning process and how to accelerate learning.

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