Hi everyone
cold(and wet) it is on this side of the globe so time to settle in front of the fire and peruse this month’s links. They include a couple of excellent ‘freebies’, Terry Anderson’s online learning book is a must have. There are some ‘rapid elearning’ reports and The Convergence of Online and Face-to-Face Education.
There tends to be a lot of discussion on e-learning standards and I quite like the way the Australian flexible learning framework has created their site for elearning standards for training. While I’m on about the framework have a look at the prize winning online induction system funded by the framework.
I try not to get too excited about technology innovation, but I have to wax poetic about the impending release of the new Apple iPhone, worldwide. Already one university in the USA is issuing all its students with iPhones. Why wouldn’t you?
The nature of the device shouts out education, learning in your pocket, teaching, communication, integration, mobility, flexibility, independence. I’ve probably said too much already but I think at the current price, this has to be THE learning environment to go. Watch this space and explore the links.
Also included in this posting are links to different search engines, a blog with a focus (this moment in time) on the iPhone,some interesting seminars, etutoring, a prize winning induction online system, conferences and the odd one out.
August company is on the way until then, that’s it.
1. From The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL): Promising Practices in Online Learning series, number 1:Blended Learning: The Convergence of Online and Face-to-Face Education
Vision of NACOL: Extract from the site
‘Online teaching and learning has the potential to transform education. The North American Council for Online Learning (NACOL) is dedicated to fostering a learning landscape that promotes student success and lifelong learning’.
Download the Report
http://www.nacol.org/resources/promising_practices.php
2. What is e-Learning & How to become an e-Tutor/e-Teacher: from the University of Leicester in the UK.
If you haven’t seen this it’s about time you did. Well constructed and an extremely useful guide and resource for both beginning practitioner and the undoubted expert.
http://www.le.ac.uk/cc/rjm1/etutor/index.html
3. The Apple iPhone commeth: One University at least has some vision. From the ACU in the USA
http://www.acu.edu/news/2008/080225_iphone.html
and
even the Aussies have got in on the act! At least one NZ University is in there as well.
Listen to a lecture on your iPhone. Students back new program
http://www.current.com.au/2008/06/04/article/CUSGKNOFSM.html
4. From the Australian Flexible Learning Framework: An e-learning demonstration for hospitality staff has netted two prestigious international accolades.
‘The Compass Group Induction e-learning demonstration, developed with funding under the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), was recently recognised at the LearnX Asia Pacific 2008 E-learning and Training Awards. Developed by Compass Group Australia and William Angliss Institute of TAFE, the demonstration netted the Best E-learning Implementation on a Budget Award.
http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au/demo_compass/index.html
5. Free Kineo Reports: There are a number of reports free to download that you might find useful. They include:
Project Initiation Checklist for Rapid E-learning
A free Kineo guide on how to set up your rapid e-learning project for success.
How to design Learning Communities
A free guide on how to design, develop and support learners through learning communities.
How to Design Rapid E-learning
Stephen Walsh explains how rapid e-learning design is different — and better — than traditional methods.
Sustaining performance in Rapid E-learning
A free guide on how to ensure your learners get the best from rapid e-learning.
E-Learning 2.0
Steve Rayson explores the development of E-learning 2.0 and what it all means.
http://www.kineo.com/kineo-briefings/kineo-reports-briefings-page.html
6. Terry Anderson’s book:The Theory and Practice of Online Learning.
The new edition of the book is well worth reading and the fact that it is free is remarkable. This is a .pdf download.
http://www.aupress.ca/books/Terry_Anderson/TerryAndersonEntireBook.pdf
7. The E-standards for Training Reference Site. Very comprehensive with some great resources and useful if you are thinking of developing your own.
‘This site is maintained by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework to support the developing national infrastructure for managing electronic learning resources in the training system.
You will find here recommended standards for technical services, information formats, and intellectual property management. The aim is to bring about the smooth transfer of resources between different information systems, resource repositories and learning platforms’.
http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/
8. A blog worth keeping an eye on: iThinkEd. You might note that currently it has a lot of stuff related to the iPhone. Funny that. Do peruse and digest. If you are into mobile learning have a look at the ‘New iPhone Apps with mLearning Potential’ snippet.
9. NTU – edUtorium Announcement for Special Events on Web 2.0 in July 2008:
Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has long been a leader in the innovative use of e-learning and learning technologies. The Centre for Educational Development run a series of seminars throughout the year . If you are in Singapore it’s well worth attending one or more of the sessions that are open to other than University staff.
Assoc Professor Daniel Tan operates an excellent department and he and his staff will always make you welcome. Below is a link to their current calendar of events
http://teams.ntu.edu.sg/iebms/coe/coe_p1_all.aspx?cc=EDUTORIUM3&oc=10&yearmonth=&sessionid=
10. Search engine innovations: Lots and lots of different ways of searching. Try a few different one’s and give Google some R&R. The site is peppered with the odd run of Adverts but all the links you need are there, just keep searching.
http://www.folden.info/searchengineinnovations.shtml
11. Conferences
11.1 ALT-C 2008: Rethinking the digital divide
9-11 September 2008, Leeds, UK
ONLINE REGISTRATION is now available.
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/registering.html
Keynote speakers:
* David Cavallo, Chief Learning Architect for One Laptop per Child, and
Head of the Future of Learning Research Group at MIT Media Lab;
* Dr Itiel Dror, Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Neuroscience at the
University of Southampton;
* Hans Rosling, Professor of International Health, Karolinska Institute,
Sweden, and Director of the Gapminder Foundation.
Key dates:
Registrations close: 15 August 2008
For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities got to:
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/sponsor_information.html
or contact
Hayley Willis, Events Administrator:
ALT-C 2008: Rethinking the digital divide
9-11 September 2008, Leeds, England
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/
11.2 Elliot Masie’s invitation to be part of Learning 2008, October 26-29 Orlando Florida
11.3 ASCILITE 2008: The ascilite 2008 conference theme is: Hello! Where are you in the landscape of educational technology?
http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/index.htm
When:
Nov 30 – Dec 3
Where:
Deakin University
Burwood Campus
221 Burwood Highway
Burwood Victoria 3125
Call for Papers:
You are invited to develop proposals for full papers, concise papers, posters and workshops for ascilite 2008. The submission deadlines for all papers and proposals can be found at this link:
http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/cfpdeadlines.htm
Registration.
http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/register.htm
11.4 Innovating e-Learning online conference 2008:Learning in a Digital Age – Are we prepared?
This is the next online conference in the very successful series initiated by JISC. Join with the rest of your international colleagues and enjoy some challenging and productive discussion and insights into e-learning at the frontier of education.
Venue Online conference
Date 4-7 November 2008
‘Themes for Innovating e-Learning 2008 focus on the productive and energising tension between the tried and tested and the wholly innovative. e-Learning may now have established a foothold in learning and teaching, but are the demands of delivering the curriculum restricting its innovative potential? How can we plan to ensure the best possible e-enhancement of learning in the future?’
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elpconference08
11.5 The MoodleMoot NZ08
8th October Workshops
1. Developers workshop with Martin Dougiamas
2. Graphics and Themes with Julian Ridden
3. Moodle for new Teachers with HRD.
9th-10th October – conference days – Technical, General, and Teaching streams.
Excellent location for conference dinner Thursday 9th – The Old Church
Hosted by Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier, Hawkes Bay.
early bird registration is now open! Make sure you are there!
11.6 The New Zealand eFest 2008 – Connected Learning
will return to it’s original September time slot this year, but shift from the traditional Wellington venue to Auckland. Dates and Location: 8, 9 & 10 September at SkyCity Auckland Convention Centre.
12 The odd one out: Languages and what to say. This site has a huge range of language related resources. If you want to say something like ‘Bon voyage’ or
Who was that sheep I saw you with last night? in a particular language, this is the place to go.
If you click on the name of the language you get a good overview of the origin and structure of the language. There is also some audio. Have fun.
Si hoc legere scis, nimium eruditionis habes.
(Latin for: If you can read this, you have too much education).
http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/index.htm
Richard Elliott
The Eternal Macademic
Elearningwatch Limited
New Zealand