G’day
October was a sad month. My good friend and colleague Peter Looms collapsed and died suddenly whilst on holiday in Argentina; he was 67. Peter was well known for his untiring commitment to promoting better access to digital media for those with disabilities, especially the deaf and the blind, and his work throughout Europe and with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation and latterly as a visiting Professor in Hong Kong , China and the Denmark Technical University. Peter was a frequent visitor to New Zealand (and Australia) and presented twice at the annual NZ SharEFest and was a Keynote speaker at ascilite 2002 in Auckland. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts are with his wife and family in Denmark. This eWatch is dedicated to the memory of Peter.
In this edition of the Watch there are links to game based learning, dictionary of education technology, open learning initiative, learning outcomes in Europe, analytics article, effective learning spaces, virtual labs,literature resource,Peter Looms links, conferences and the odd one out.
That’s it for now
1.Application of learning outcomes approaches across Europe:A comparative study. Recently released, this publication throws some light on the changes occurring in the use of learning outcomes in education in Europe. Much of what is being analysed and discussed could easily be applied to other groups or individual countries. An interesting and informative read.
Extract form the site:
‘This Cedefop reference publication maps and analyses the shift to learning outcomes in education and training policies and practices across Europe’.
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications/3074?NL=63
2.EPIC GUIDE TO GAME BASED LEARNING:100+ Game Based Learning Resources to Get Started in Your Classroom by Vicki Davis. This is certainly a very comprehensive ‘guide’ to game based learning. Lots of useful information and links to relevant resources, including opinion pieces. Worth perusing if you are into game based education or about to start.
http://www.coolcatteacher.com/epic-guide-game-based-learning/
3.Planting the Seeds of Analytics. If you are using analytics in any way or contemplating their use, this article will be of interest. It provides an overview of the use of analytics by Valdosta State University in the USA. Worth reading to get an idea of how well analytics can be used.
http://er.educause.edu/articles/2016/9/planting-the-seed-of-analytics
4.The Practical Ed Tech Handbook. Just released. Full of ideas , guides , links to resources and useful information around the use of education technology in the learning environment. There are several ways to download a copy, This link will enable a PDF download direct to your device.
https://app.box.com/s/jw3v4nprrqz0nex4qbgb1zhzi54aacst
5. A Devil’s Dictionary of Educational Technology: From the digipen of Bryan Alexander, a slight diversion from the normal desirable , important, significant and meaningful educational happenings, but worth a look and maybe contributing.
6.Carnegie Mellon University: Open Learning Initiative.
Extract from the site:
‘NO INSTRUCTORS, NO CREDITS, NO CHARGE’.
Many college and universities around the world are using our courses and unique learning platform and now you can too! You can access course materials at no cost to you and work at your own pace. Our learning platform gives you targeted feedback as you go, which helps you know if you are mastering a topic or if you need more practice’.
Couldn’t ask for more.You can register (enables you to save course material) or not and still do the course for free. Note that Credits or Certification on completion are not provided.
Because many of the course use animation and audio, the site enables you to test your system to ensure you get maximum benefit from the resources and material.
I had a good look at ‘Health Information Technology Foundations’,’Introduction to Biology’ and ‘Anatomy and Physiology’ All of these course are nicely constructed and cover the subject very well. Some of the free offerings could be useful for you and or your students for learning new material or just for reinforcement of understanding.
http://oli.cmu.edu/learn-with-oli/see-our-free-open-courses/
7.The Science of Effective Learning Spaces: A neuroscientist explains how factors such as light and seating arrangements can affect students’ cognitive performance. This is a short but informative article which will probably reinforce much of what you know already. Hopefully it will provide you with some new information to create the student learning environment that contributes to better learning and success.
http://www.edutopia.org/article/science-of-effective-learning-spaces-melina-uncapher
8. ChemCollective: ‘is a collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, tutorials, and concept tests. Teachers can use our content for prelabs, for alternatives to textbook homework, and for in class activities for individuals or teams. Students can review and learn chemistry concepts using our virtual labs, simulations, and tutorials’ Another excellent resource form Carnegie Mellon. Have a look at the new HTML5 version of the Virtual Lab. impressive. Even have a go at solving the murder mystery.
9.Literature resource: This appears to have some very useful resources in a wide range of subjects for students (and their teachers) of all ages, although it does state it is for up to K12 and it’s FREE (USA focus). You can create an account and or just see what it can do. As an example, type ‘History’ in the ‘search the library’ box and go from there.Useful methinks.
10. Digital Literacy:An NMC Horizon Project Strategic Brief. Just released.
This was commissioned by Adobe Systems to explore an increasingly pressing challenge for United States higher education institutions: advancing digital literacy among students and faculty. Much of what is in the brief can be applied to developments in any country. It presents some useful and interesting viewpoints, ideas and directions to follow in order to attain an accepted vision and common understanding of digital literacy
http://cdn.nmc.org/media/2016-nmc-horizon-strategic-brief-digital-literacy.pdf
11.Peter Olaf Looms: Links to some of his work. You can also view his profile on Linkedin or search Peter Olaf Looms in Google.
http://dtu.academia.edu/PeterLooms
12. Conferences
12.1 ascilite 2016
The ascilite2016 conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 28 to 30 November 2016. The conference is being hosted by the University of South Australia.Book your place for what promises to be another excellent event.
http://2016conference.ascilite.org
12.2 13th International Conference Mobile Learning 2017
10 to 12 April 2017, Budapest, Hungary
http://www.mlearning-conf.org/
13. Odd one out: Earthgames: a fun and educational approach to exploring some of the issues, their consequences and resolution through you use of games. All games are free to download. They are not complex or difficult but they serve a good purpose by raising awareness. Designed for 8yr old upwards. Good to play when it’s raining or you have half an hour to twiddle your thumbs.
Richard
Richard Elliott
The Eternal Macademic
Auckland
New Zealand