Hi everyone
this edition of elearningwatch is out and about early as I am going to be out and about and not sure if I will be able to access the Web. So, what’s happening? The good news is that the call for proposals for ascilite 2009 is now on the Website and the ALT-C conference delegate booking is also open for business. What more do you want ? If you don’t go to either of these conferences you are in danger of not being seen, if fact you could become one of those dinosaurs, the ‘Neversaurus’! So get writing or get registering. On second thoughts, do both!
I know that some of you have difficulty finding a way to get rid of your old PC and replacing it with a real machine , like a Macintosh. Well despair not, help is at hand. If you live in Auckland NZ, watch out for the eDay, when you will be able to dispose of the unwanted technology safely and contribute to a greener planet. It’s planned for Sept 12th and I will keep you informed of where.
This edition is a bit shorter than normal but as you are always time-challenged, it will come as a relief I’m sure. I mentioned the new search engine Wolfram-Alpha in the last posting, its now live so give it a try. It’s certainly different and probably complements Google quite nicely. Also included are links to collaborative learning, iPhone apps for learning, mindmaps and tools, leadership, a guidebook ,RSS explained, conferences and the odd one out.
July waiting for the next edition. Until then have fun learning and teaching.
1. Collaborative learning. Always worth considering, but how well does it work in practice? This site provides a wealth of information and strategies on how it works and to make it work.
http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/index.html
and if you are really interested , have a look at the wide range of information and insights on this site
http://home.capecod.net/~tpanitz/tedsarticles/coopbenefits.htm
2.iPhone Apps. There are so many of them that you have to search carefully to find one’s that meet your needs. This site lists what it describes as the best iPhone Apps for serious learners. If you have an iPhone some of these may be for you.
http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2009/100-best-iphone-apps-for-serious-self-learners/
3. Circle of Excellence is a Website devoted to the application of leading-edge psychological techniques and technologies in the pursuit of Excellence.
Explore the link to mindmaps and the Free (and low cost) Tools For Thinking. There’s lots to explore and try. Some of these tools and maps can be used to get your students (and maybe with a bit of luck, you) thinking differently. Download the research and report writing example from the mindmaps for a starter.
http://www.circle-of-excellence.com/free_mindmaps.htm
and
http://www.circle-of-excellence.com/gateway01.htm
4. The Art and Science of Leadership is one of a series of Webpages which also explore Training Learning History and Knowledge. Choose and click on the link that interests you most. Have a look at the leadership section first, there a lot of stuff embedded in the pages and its well worth exploring.
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leader.html
5. E-Learning: A Guidebook of Principles, Procedures and Practices by
Som Naidu. Available for free download. It’s free and is a useful resource and is packed with resources.
http://www.cemca.org/e-learn.htm
6. RSS has been around for some time. This article ‘Using RSS Tools to Feed Your Information Needs’ might be useful if you are still not sure what its all about.
http://www.idealware.org/articles/rss_tools.php
and in a similar vein, how about tagging?
Thirteen Tips for Effective Tagging: How to mark sites so you and others can find them
http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/webbuilding/page5508.cfm
7.1 ALT-C 2009: “In dreams begins responsibility” – choice, evidence, and change.
8-10 September 2009, Manchester, UK.
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2009/index.html
The ‘Number 1′ conference to be at in the UK.
Booking system is now OPEN
Presenters’ registration deadline: 29 June 2009
Earlybird registration deadline: 6 July 2009
Bookings close: 14 August 2009
“[taken from the ALT Digest, a fortnightly publication from the Association for
Learning Technology (ALT) –
7.2 ASCILITE 2009: “Same Places, Different Spaces” AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: DECEMBER 6- 9th.
Critical dates and the ‘Call for Proposals’ have now been posted on the Website.
My Review submission system opens end of June
Registrations open: 3rd August 2009
Early Bird Registration deadline: 31st October 2009
Bookings close: November 16th 2009
If you are contemplating running a full or half day workshop, the committee would appreciate an early proposal to enable the facilitation of booking.
http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/auckland09/
8. Odd one out: Many Eyes
The heart of this site is a collection of data visualizations. There’s some fascinating stuff here on things like population spread, wages,food aid,Visualisation of UK Parliament Additional Costs Allowance by Party, very topical, and perhaps a few odd bits and pieces you can ignore or maybe they will interest you?
http://manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/
That’s it.
Richard Elliott
The Eternal Macademic
Auckland’ New Zealand