G’day
well I’m back from Europe and straight into work, not that you wanted to know that. However I can report that the ALT-C conference in Leeds was an interesting event with an excellent opening keynote speaker in Hans Rosling, a real entertainer with a message. I think he set the mood for the conference, which is at it should be I think.
The conference organisers are to be congratulated on their efforts and for choosing a venue that ensured a gradual improvement in cardiovascular fitness (Seb, CEO for ALT, looked well on it anyway)!. From my perspective everything went very well.
ALT personnel, Marion Samler (in particular) plus , Haley and Victoria were patient and friendly at the help desk and elsewhere.
I attended a couple of workshops and sat through a number of papers all of which I found to be of a good standard and informative. One in particular I liked was presented by Sue Bennett from Woolongong. Feet on the ground, evidence based stuff which provided a clearer picture of the real nature of the ‘net generation’.
It was good to meet the nice people from JISC and JISC Infonet again. As always very knowledgeable and helpful. A link to the the latest JISC e-portfolios publication is in this posting. All in all another good conference from ALT and I hope to be at the next one in Manchester in 2009.
Included in this posting is a link to a Moodle repository development, Mr Cute, a new learning technologies Wiki, e-portfolios from JISC, elearnspace, a couple of elearning blogs,mobile learning, Web 2.0 examples of use, pedagogy and elearning articles , an old dog of a search engine, learning english online conferences and the odd one out
There be some fireworks next month
1. Mr Cute 2 Moodle
MrCute is intended to be an optional add-on to the Moodle Virtual Learning Environment. More specifically, it extends the functionality of the IMS Repository system originally developed by Alton College, UK.
MrCute will be compatible with Moodle 1.8.2 but not with earlier 1.8 versions.
http://www.learningobjectivity.com/mrcute/
2. A new guide in the JISC Effective Practice series, Effective Practice with e-Portfolios, which explores good practice in the use of e-portfolios throughout a lifetime of learning. This was launched at ALT-C 2008. The guide complements a new infoKit on e-portfolios from JISC infoNet which offers a comprehensive synopsis of the main drivers, purposes, processes, perspectives and issues around e-portfolio use.
These are very good resources and as we have come to expect from the JISC stable, of high quality and relevance to elearning today.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/effectivepracticeeportfolios
The infoKit can be viewed at
http://http:// www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/e-portfolios
3. A new wiki with potential: Welcome! to the RSC West Midlands wiki, a valuable resource packed full of useful information, advice, tips and support for anything related to e-learning.
http://wiki.rscwmsystems.org.uk/index.php/Main_Page
4. Learning English Online is a German site with lots of resources,exercises and some worksheets you can download.
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/
5. Examples of Web 2.0 in use. This site provides a number of links to examples of the use of Web 2.0 applications. Quite a wide variety of applications and associated links. You should find something on this site to get you engaged and motivated.
http://wiki.academiccommons.org/wiki/Examples_of_Web_2_0_in_use
6. Mobile learning: The International Association for Mobile Learning (IAMLearn) has launched a new website,
On the site it is possible to learn about many current international projects and developments in mobile learning, as well as become a member of the Association.
There are also some useful links to various aspects of mlearning.
7. Pedagogy and online/ elearning: I came across this site and discovered some interesting articles. It’s also from somewhere other than Europe, USA or Australasia so explore the same or different perspectives?
8. A dogmatic search engine: Dogpile has been around for a long time and is always worth using from time to time. Not too sure I like the way it presents it’s results but it is a useful alternative search engine.
9. Will Thalheimer’s blog often has interesting viewpoints and links to useful articles on e-learning. He has a link to his latest article (see monday 27 August entry) for the e-learning guild entitled
‘Evaluation e-Learning 2.0: Getting Our Heads Around the Complexity ‘
Worth reading the article and some of the other stuff on his blog.
http://www.willatworklearning.com/
You might also like to download a FREE copy of his research report on ‘How to Give Learners Feedback’
http://www.work-learning.com/report_feedback.htm
10. elearnspace: Where George Siemens tells it all. If you haven’t been here before it’s well worth perusing the resources, insights and links to useful information on elearning. George also announces the release of his new book ‘Knowing Knowledge’ here
http://www.elearnspace.org/index.htm
11. Conferences
11.1 Elliot Masie’s invitation to be part of Learning 2008, October 26-29 Orlando Florida.
11.2 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
11.3 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/whatwedo/programmes/elearning_pedagogy/elpconference08/booking.aspx
Details of the programme are now available at
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elpconference08
11.4 The MoodleMoot NZ08 in Napier Hawkes Bay. THE place to be seen.
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!
11.5 Nanyang Technological University edUtorium special events on Web 2.0 in October 2008.
Access these from
http://edutorium.ntu.edu.sg/courses_category.php?cat_id=20
11.6 ALT-C: The next conference ALT-C 2009: In dreams begins responsibility:
‘choices, evidence, and change’ will be held in at the University of Manchester.
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009/
Odd one out
12. For light relief, this is a page with a few little brain-teasers to get you thinking.
If you want a few more to test the functionality of those neurons providing ‘senior’ moments. click on the ‘ links’ on the left had side of the webpage. Have fun, I think.
http://www.clickmazes.com/ooo/ixooo.htm
That’s it until November
Richard Elliott
The eternal Macademic