G’day
this month the call for submissions for SoTEL 2019 closes. Get that submission in quick!
Having returned to NZ in early October I was pleased to see the veggies were in good spirits. Now it’s down to feeding them so they can feed me in time for Xmas; signs are upon us already!
SoTEL 2019 submissions are beginning to increase with several from international sources which is great! Thom Reeves the Key Trendsetter has posted a video outlining what he will present and Bio’s of other trendsetters will be posted shortly. It’s gonna be a great event!
An interesting report I read this week was around the deconstruction of the largest Polytechnic in New Zealand. Sweeping changes initiated by bean counters and non academics has disastrous results on teaching, learning, the tutors and the students; surprise , surprise. Hopefully the institution will now rise from the ashes and recognise the importance of collaboration between tutors and students in the learning process and associated authentic learning environments.
In the posting this month , there are links to Constructivism, Digital and Blended learning, Learning in three dimensions, Jisc digital capabilities, Worksheets, Cognitive science of education, Open and online courses, Augmented and Virtual reality, Conferences, New Zealand happenings and the odd one out.
December in NZ heralds a mass exodus from academia.
1.Blended Learning for the Adult Education Classroom. Well written and constructed guide to the fundamental principles of blended learning and how they can be applied to adult education. Some useful guides, ideas , applications and suggestions for making blended learning work for your adult learners.
http://app.essentialed.com/resources/blended-learning-teachers-guide-web.pdf
2. How to Design and Scale Digital and Blended Learning Programs to Improve Employment and Entrepreneurship Outcomes. A thought provoking report which highlights some of the issues around the development of skills associated with digital tools. Extract from the report: ‘The question is not so much whether digital learning is effective, but rather how can a digital learning program be designed and implemented effectively’. Worth perusing to maybe get some answers.
3. Constructivism as a Paradigm for Teaching and Learning. A comprehensive guide to all things constructivism. This site takes you on a journey through explanation, demonstration, exploration and implementation of constructivism in teaching and learning.There is a wealth of resources on this site (a few broken links unfortunately) Worth perusing.
https://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/constructivism/index.html
4. From the Jisc stable a new Building digital capabilities website. As usual an excellent resource and addition to the Jisc portfolio of guides and advice related to all things education.
https://digitalcapability.jisc.ac.uk
5. Learning in Three Dimensions:Report on the EDUCAUSE HP Campus of the Future Project.
An informative and interesting report from Educause and partner HP on the use of extended reality. The key findings highlight some very positive outcomes from the use of extended, virtual and augmented reality in education.
https://library.educause.edu/~/media/files/library/2018/8/ers1805.pdf?la=en
6.The Cognitive Science of Education (14 Part Series) You will need a lot of quality time to read and study this series. The topics vary in length and cover a lot of interesting and useful ground, highlighting and providing explanations on specific aspects of cognitive science and education. Extract from the site:
‘This sequence of posts aggregates and simplifies current research; psychology textbooks; conversations with clinicians; an original, Big Data study; and works by artists, designers, and more into a clear and useful overview. Whatever our environment or pedagogy or style, we learn through the same cognitive processes and knowledge of these processes can only to deepen our understanding of and strengthen our ability to do the good work of education’. Says it all. Worth taking the time.
http://www.senseandsensation.com/p/the-cognitive-science-of-education.html7
8. Worksheetworks. A valuable , versatile and rich and comprehensive resource for all levels of education. I visit this site often to generate worksheets that enable students to learn both the basics and advanced aspects of a range of subjects. We have been here before , but it’s always worth a revisit. Try your calculator skills.
https://www.worksheetworks.com
9.AR and VR: How Immersive Learning Technology Is Bringing Education and Training Into the Future. An interesting article looking at some of the ways different people and organisations are using mixed reality for education and training.
10.CANVAS network provides a searchable database of open and online courses from colleges, universities and organisations worldwide. Many of those listed are FREE Moocs or similar.
Might be worth perusing so you can enroll in something you’ve always wanted to do.
11. Conferences
11.1 Ascilite:35th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education.
Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. 25th to 28th November 2018
http://2018conference.ascilite.org
11.2 6th International Conference on Educational Technologies 2019, 8 to 10 February 2019, Hong Kong.
This is a blind peer reviewed conference. Authors are invited to submit their papers in English through the conference submission system by October 8, 2018. Submissions must be original and should not have been published previously.
More information:
http://www.icedutech-conf.org/
12. New Zealand Happenings
12.1 Scholarship of Technology Enhanced Learning:
The SoTEL 2019 Committee is delighted to announce that:
The Key Trendsetters for SoTEL 2019 are
1. Professor Thom Reeves, Professor Emeritus of Learning, Design, and Technology at the University of Georgia, USA.
See the video on the SoTEl Website or here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awKpQQIpAYw
2. Stuart Cook and Stephen Aiello, Lecturers in Paramedicine at AUT University
3. Dr Rachel Buchanan, Senior Lecturer. School of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts
The University of Newcastle (UoN), Australia.
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/rachel-buchanan
4. David Parsons. National Postgraduate Director, MindLab.
SoTEL 2019 is open to all innovative and passionate educators from the Secondary and Tertiary sectors and organisations creating opportunities for students to learn with the support of technology; submission from without New Zealand are always welcomed.
Please note the Committee have recently added a category ‘Digital Posters’ which can be submitted through the SoTEL website.
Digital posters should be in PDF format, 150dpi, A1 size Preferably with interactive elements such as QR Codes or AR image recognition, with links to online examples.
Call for Submissions is about to close (12th November). Peruse the various options, make your choice and submit!
Plans are in place to publish accepted papers from the SoTEL 2019 event in the Pacific Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning (PJTEL) which will be launched at the SoTEL 2019 Symposium
Put the dates in your Diary and place a reminder so you can get your presentation ready and plan for the event!
INFORM all your colleagues and be part of the event of 2019!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:
Many Thanks to our current sponsors of SoTEL 2019:
Ako Aotearoa, National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence
13. Odd one out: A dictionary approach with a difference. Explore the meanings and use of some common and not so uncommon words, plus some myths and explanations. peruse ‘Elementary’ for some interesting revelations about Sherlock Holmes.
http://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com
Happy exploring! Xmas on the beach is not far away (for us anyway)
Richard
Richard Elliott
The Eternal Macademic
Auckland
New Zealand