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The Open University has launched Network security (T828), the latest in its portfolio of Cisco-Certified postgraduate IT courses.

The 30-point postgraduate module addresses global computing concerns over information security, including threats, physical and environmental security, security architecture and design, intrusion prevention, virtual private networks and information security risk management.

The OU says it will provide computer networking professionals with highly valued commercial qualifications. The university is working with industry and education to address the current shortage of skilled IT professionals, which poses a threat to IT security.

The OU is a Cisco Academy – part of the global networking education programme operated by networking equipment market leader Cisco Systems. Cisco certifications are highly regarded in the networking industry. Network security will prepare students to take the CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) Security certification and provide a foundation for preparing for the ISC2 Certified Information Systems Professional (CISSP) certification.

It is a compulsory module in the OU's Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Advanced Networking and an optional module in a number of other postgraduate computing qualifications.

Andrew Smith, Lecturer on the OU's Cisco Certified Networking Associate and Professional (CCNA/CCNP) programmes, said: “Successful completion of Network security will open up career opportunities in infrastructure and network security, systems security management and advanced networking – with recent news stories about hacking, these areas should be a priority for all businesses and private network users.”

The first presentation starts on 5 November.

Useful links

• Network security (T828)
• OU news release
• Postgraduate computing courses
• Undergraduate computing courses
• Contest addresses shortage of cyber security professionals

Photo: Thinkstock

Raphael Price is celebrating after winning a university place – aged 15.

The home-school teenager, who lived in a homeless hostel for more than a year, has been awarded a grant to study for a full degree in computing, IT and design with The Open University.

The OU's Institute of Educational Technology is delighted to announce that mobile-learning expert Professor Mike Sharples will be joining their staff in October. Professor Sharples is currently Professor of Learning Sciences and Director of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Nottingham.

His research interests include human-centred design of technologies for mobile, contextual and inquiry-based learning, and the application of studies of human cognition and social interaction to the development of novel interactive systems. He inaugurated the mLearn International conference series and was founding President of the International Association for Mobile Learning. In collaboration with theOpen University's Professor Eileen Scanlon, he was Principal Investigator of the recent PI: Personal Inquiry project to support inquiry learning of 21st century science topics between formal and informal settings. As a member of the MOBIlearn European 5th Framework project he led the design and evaluation of its context awareness subsystem.

Other projects include Design of Games for auditory learning, L-Mo with Sharp Labs Europe to develop mobile technology for language learning, a study of Web 2.0 technologies for learning at school and home, educational futures research , the design of a Writer's Assistant, an exploration of writing as creative design, computer implementation of story generation, and the development of a knowledge-based tutoring system for neuroradiology.

 

The teaching and learning in immersive virtual worlds community is being challenged to think even more creatively when The Open University, Milton Keynes, hosts the ReLIVE11 event on September 21 and 22.

Subtitled Creative Solutions for New Futures it is the follow-up to the successful ReLIVE08, the first conference to bring together researchers and educators in the field.

All are under more pressure than ever to demonstrate innovation, at scale, for less money and while increasing efficiency and productivity.

ReLIVE11 features an opening keynote speech on innovation and creativity from Robin Wight, President of The Engine Group advertising agency.
 
For the past three years Robin has studied the way the brain processes communications using the latest learning from evolutionary psychology, cognitive psychology and neuroscience.

Highlights at ReLIVE11 also include the formal launch of the Springer book series on Immersive Environments and a workshop link-up with the IEEE Standards Association virtual vPEARL summit taking place in Los Angeles on September 20 and 21.

There is also an interactive Q&A session with an invited panel of cyber-celebrities chaired by Paul Hollings, Director of the Institute for Educational Cybernetics, and including: Ian Hughes, metaverse evangelist, Rebecca Mileham, freelance science and technology journalist, Sarah Smith-Robbins, Director of Emerging Technologies at Kelley Executive Partners and Bill Thompson from Digital Planet and columnist on the BBC News website.

The session will be webcast live and open to the Twittersphere.

Just before ReLIVE11 will be the ReLIVE Virtual Festival on September 20.

A day of activity within Second Life will provide a flavour of the main conference for those not able to attend physically – though delegates to ReLIVE11 are welcome to join in. The Festival is free to attend but visitor numbers to the island will be capped at 80.
 
Abstracts for workshops or other innovative activity for the Festival is being accepted until August 30, email: relive11@open.ac.uk
 
ReLIVE11 is linked to The Virtual World Conference, a 24-hour event also taking place in Second Life on September 14.
 
The inaugural conference in 2010 boasted 21 leading international speakers and an audience from 15 countries worldwide.

ReLIVE11 will hold a workshop based on Tom Boellstorff’s presentation at the Virtual World Conference and will be chaired by Anna Peachey, director of Eygus Ltd, the company that manages the OU’s presence in virtual worlds.

Registration for ReLIVE11 closes August 15.

• ReLIVE11
• The Virtual World Conference
• Springer