Informed Scotland February 2024 – Interesting things come in threes

Although there were no major learning & skills developments, it was the busiest February for a while.

Three Scottish Government items are worth highlighting…

• The publication of Scotland’s first International Education Strategy
• The findings from a consultation of school and college teachers on the Qualifications and Assessment Review and National Discussion recommendations
• And launch of a consultation on ‘resourcing Scotland’s planning system’ with proposals to address the growing skills shortage in a sector often overlooked.

…as are three interesting reports from three ‘futures’ projects…

• The Future of Learning & Teaching ‘state of the nation research’ on delivering digital/blended learning, by the SFC, Education Scotland, QAA Scotland, sparqs and CDN
• Boosting Skills, from the British Chambers of Commerce Future of the UK Economy initiative
• Old skills, new skills, on what’s changing in the UK labour market, for the Nuffield Foundation-funded Pissarides Review into the Future of Work & Wellbeing.

…and three new items on the roasting hot topic of AI:

• QAA’s ‘conversation starter’ on the complexities of AI in higher education
• HEPI and Kortext’s survey of students’ views of generative AI in HE
• and WAIfinder, Innovate UK KTN and Nesta’s new interactive map of those involved in creating AI products, services, processes and research.

Three more interesting things:

• A comparison of UK post-16 education & training landscapes by SKOPE and the Education Policy Institute
• An Institute for Fiscal Studies report on Higher Education Spending in light of the Scottish Budget
• General Election Briefings by London Economics and HEPI, examining HE fees and funding in the UK nations, including Scotland.

The latter is one example of items that have already started to appear in anticipation of the General Election that’s yet to be called. Informed Scotland regulars will remember that ahead of each major election I produce an Election Extra with a quick scan of manifestos, briefings and resources relevant to learning and skills. Collation of items has begun. And you won’t have to be a subscriber to get hold of the completed version!

Themed weeks coming up: Big College Open Week, 21–28 March; Scottish AI in Schools Week, 25–29 March. Check out the Learning & Skills Events Calendar for in-person events, and let us know about yours.

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