Virtual Advice Services

The chapter looks at the issues involved with implementing and running a chat enquiry service, from choosing an appropriate product to staff training and publicity. The experiences of a number of UK Higher Education Institutions currently offering chat enquiry services are discussed at various stages. Aspects of more advanced use, such as web ‘co-browsing’ and virtual advice by appointment are also included. The chapter closes by considering what the future holds for virtual advice services and the potential impact of the growth in mobile technologies

Reflection for professional development

Through the activities and discussions in this chapter, trainees and mentors are encouraged to engage in reflective practice, and consequently, develop their own effective practice as teachers and in a mentoring role

Planning for learning

This chapter initially aims to develop understanding of why teachers plan, and the elements of a successful plan. Once teachers understand what they are doing, why they are doing it and what strategies they can use, lesson planning becomes more efficient and effective

Crossing the line: Constructs of TA Identity

This paper considers issues around identity for teaching assistants (TAs) in mainstream English primary schools. We discuss the concomitant problems TAs experience around role definition and role-creep as well as the challenges inherent in equivocally defining their evolving and flexible role. We used key themes drawn from the literature considered to suggest that professional identity is broadly socially, relationally and contextually dependent, changeable and multifaceted. We then explore how these terms relate to the work and roles TAs undertake in school. The paper concludes with recommendations for schools to support the development of a contextually relevant identity for TAs so the flexibility in their role can be advantageous for TAs, teachers and children

Ambient-Temperature Synthesis of 2-Phosphathioethynolate, PCS-, and the Ligand Properties of ECX-(E = N, P; X = O, S):Ambient-Temperature Synthesis of 2-Phosphathioethynolate

A synthesis of the 2‐phosphathioethynolate anion, PCS(–), under ambient conditions is reported. The coordination chemistry of PCO(–), PCS(–) and their nitrogen‐containing congeners is also explored. Photolysis of a solution of W(CO)(6) in the presence of PCO(–) [or a simple ligand displacement reaction using W(CO)(5)(MeCN)] affords [W(CO)(5)(PCO)](–) (1). The cyanate and thiocyanate analogues, [W(CO)(5)(NCO)](–) (2) and [W(CO)(5)(NCS)](–) (3), are also synthesised using a similar methodology, allowing for an in‐depth study of the bonding properties of this family of related ligands. Our studies reveal that, in the coordination sphere of tungsten(0), the PCO(–) anion preferentially binds through the phosphorus atom in a strongly bent fashion, while NCO(–) and NCS(–) coordinate linearly through the nitrogen atom. Reactions between PCS(–) and W(CO)(5)(MeCN) similarly afford [W(CO)(5)(PCS)](–); however, due to the ambidentate nature of the anion, a mixture of both the phosphorus‐ and sulfur‐bonded complexes (4a and 4b, respectively) is obtained. It was possible to establish that, as with PCO(–), the PCS(–) ion also coordinates to the metal centre in a bent fashion