There is no #ASEChat host this week. Instead, we are collecting a list of tweets about all things 'technician' over the next hour or so, and the list will be published at the end of #ASEChat
Dr Ellen Stofan talks about the important role that school technicians play in supporting STEM activity in schools @Preproom@sserctechnician#TECHOGNITION
National technicians awards anyone? Salters’ National Awards for Science Technicians Are Now Open! Open to ALL Science Technicians in schools and colleges for students up to the age of 18 https://t.co/qp57V6FtZO#ASEChat@Salters_Inst#ASEChat
#asechat I heard a story of someone lucky enought to go backstage to see the Rolling Stones. And in the room was just Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and a guitar #technician. It shows the importance of technology even to those guys.
Does that count?
The comments have a common thread - the important role carried out by technicians who are often highly qualified but do not get the recognition (or salary) they deserve. Fair summary? #ASEChat
Absolutely - and we've heard the same from our members for the last decade.
The job is getting more and more involved, varied & requires more knowledge and experience but the pay has stagnated. #ASEChat
#asechat our technician team is awesome. We are lucky enough to have 2 technicians per science and they specialise. They are so talented with such a depth of knowledge in their area. Masters of making kit and always happy to contribute to our local TeachMeets
Yes. @theASE ran a survey of technicians when I was chair some years ago and found exactly that. There is a severe 'pecking order' of staff in schools and technicians, esp science, are not at the top #ASEChat
How do you make sure #SLT understand the vital role that school science technicians play in making a successful science department? #asechat#techognition
#asechat anyone else think the poor status/salary for techs is a symptom of gender equality issues. Job often appeals to women with children who want a school hours job that uses their science. If more techs were men would they have higher status? (3/6 in our school are men)
Not a gender issue but a status issue? Schools should establish a career structure for technicians, and pay accordingly for responsibility. I do not like the 'market forces' argument #ASEChat
I am more and more convinced it is wrapped up with gender issues. Somehow women supposed to feel grateful for a school hours science based job. And many are because school hours jobs are hard to find so the spiral continues #asechat
What would your arguments be to #SLT if they told you no more science technicians? … don’t wait until this happens #ASEchat let’s make a list #TECHOGNICIAN
@theASE is responding to the QTS consultation and would support an extended QTS period with mentoring. Technicians have a role in mentoring inexperienced science teachers #ASEChat
Ordered some badges, which distributed to our technicians today but sadly they had no idea that this week was special for them #asechat lack of #TECHOGNITION
@theASE is responding to the QTS consultation and would support an extended QTS period with mentoring. Technicians have a role in mentoring inexperienced science teachers #ASEChat
@theASE is responding to the QTS consultation and would support an extended QTS period with mentoring. Technicians have a role in mentoring inexperienced science teachers #ASEChat
So when the ASE recognised this many years ago, what did they do about it?
I am not criticising the ASE but survey after survey gets conducted by all and sundry with same outcomes but no action or active campaigning for better pay & conditions for techs. #ASEChat
Ordered some badges, which distributed to our technicians today but sadly they had no idea that this week was special for them #asechat lack of #TECHOGNITION
RSciTech, 2 day national technicians conference, strengthened tech committee on ASE, regular journal articles, but @theASE is not able to campaign for better pay and conditions under its charter - for anyone #ASEChat
@theASE is responding to the QTS consultation and would support an extended QTS period with mentoring. Technicians have a role in mentoring inexperienced science teachers #ASEChat
Salters’ National Awards for Science Technicians Are Now Open! Open to ALL Science Technicians in schools and colleges for students up to the age of 18 https://t.co/UOjuibJQlA#ASEChat@Salters_Inst
It's a real worry how many experienced techs are leaving the job and being replaced with inexperience and no training. I've seen lots of simple questions being asked in groups #asechat#TECHOGNITION
Hi Phil. This sounds very similar to the situation with teachers too. Do you think this is a school strategy to save money or a result of people becoming disillusioned? #ASEChat
That seems to be the problem - those organisations who know first hand how much of a poor deal school technicians get cannot campaign to change anything.
Organisations like us who are non-funded and independent CAN but rarely have the resources to do so. #ASEChat
Technicians conference at York end of first week in July - details later. Meanwhile here are some regional technician conference details https://t.co/a0VCwBW8dL#ASEChat
All the time. Every time I go to the shop to buy myself coffee I buy them biscuits! They’re fully aware of my gratitude. Isn’t that right, @biggs5_richard?
In reply to
@ViciaScience, @doc_kristy, @biggs5_richard
I agree. I was one of those technicians, I needed/wanted a school hours job when my kids were little so I could be with them in the hols. Juggling childcare between two working parents may be just about possible it’s not if you are bringing your children up on your own #ASEchat
We've met with the ASE (Annette Smith), National STEM centre, Gatsby over the last decade with not a hope of collaboration or help to change things. Met with UNISON last September and finally made some headway. Needs to be a cross org coalition with active campaigning. #ASEchat
Until the government starts putting money back into education things are not going to improve no matter how many agencies stand up for us #asetechs#TECHOGNITION
There's no way I'd've survived as a new teacher, or I'd survive as an old teacher, without the fab tech support I've been lucky enough to have.The kind of support you rely on changes over time, but is always invaluable #angels#patienceofsaints#sorrymyordersarelateagain#asechat
So Gatsby are running a technician recognition campaign the @theASE supports https://t.co/J8oZn3lC6v. @the ASE have also started discussions with UNISON. @theASE have a different CEO now. Get in touch #ASEChat
In reply to
@Preproom, @theASE, @theASE, @the, @theASE
#asechat I am looking at the CsiTeach application form and not sure what counts as a "M-level qualification or equivalent in pedagogy / education " Help
If this happened in your school, how would science teachers respond?
More likely to leave once they realise the increase in #workload this brings? #retention Students suffer, unintended consequences of cost saving exercise #ASEchat
I've learned as much about practical science from technicians as I have done from other teachers - particularly the little things (like remembering to order pipettes!)
Have mandatory practicals at KS4/5 helped with technician status or have they just added to the workload of the few technicians schools have left? #ASEchat
Until the government starts putting money back into education things are not going to improve no matter how many agencies stand up for us #asetechs#TECHOGNITION
Are the technicians’ NVQs still going strong? #asechat. I used to be an assessor and the technicians I worked with felt a real sense of achievement when they gained them.
Have mandatory practicals at KS4/5 helped with technician status or have they just added to the workload of the few technicians schools have left? #ASEchat
Until the government starts putting money back into education things are not going to improve no matter how many agencies stand up for us #asetechs#TECHOGNITION
Are the technicians’ NVQs still going strong? #asechat. I used to be an assessor and the technicians I worked with felt a real sense of achievement when they gained them.
Good question. As ever a mixed bag of answers. Still too many examples of being 'unable to make it work' even when following instructions for required practicals. In a way it would be good if new specs gave techs more work! #ASEChat
Have mandatory practicals at KS4/5 helped with technician status or have they just added to the workload of the few technicians schools have left? #ASEchat
Until the government starts putting money back into education things are not going to improve no matter how many agencies stand up for us #asetechs#TECHOGNITION
Sorry not on form tonight, full of cold… lemon and honey methinks. #asechat do make sure you are specific about all the roles your techs have/do, and communicate this to #SLT before it’s too late
