25 July 2013
IET’s contribution to practical science learning online was well-represented at the launch of the OpenScience Laboratory at the Royal Society in London on 24 July 2013.iSpot, nQuire and Situ8 are all practical science applications using cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning. The OpenScience Laboratory, which also includes the new Treezilla application and the virtual microscope, brings the opportunity for experimentation with real scientific data to more students, broadening access in the teaching and learning of practical science with its innovative new approach. It is generously supported by the Wolfson Foundation.
Mike Sharples and Eloy Villasclaras represented nQuire: supporting inquiry based learning; Liz FitzGerald demonstrated the new Situ8 web portal and Maria Aristeidou discussed Citizen Inquiry in her PhD student poster. The highly successful iSpot (which IET continues to develop) was also strongly presented at the event, which was attended by IET’s Anne Jelfs, who advises on the usability and accessibility of online material.
The launch event was opened by Tim Blackman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research, Scholarship and Quality) with an address by Sir Eric Ash (Wolfson Foundation) and an introduction by OpenScience laboratory co-directors Steve Swithenby and Nick Braithwaite.
A storify of the event compiled by Simon Lancaster includes some photos and the twitter stream.
Photos taken by Kate Bradshaw, Mike Sharples and Liz FitzGerald are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ietatou/sets/72157634791340560/
Update (2 August) - ScienceOmega report on the event
