ELT
From SLN e-Learning Project
SLN eLearning Project: Exploring Learning Technologies
Wednesday 13th February 2008
University of Brighton Creativity Centre
09.00 – 14.00
Programme
9.00 Refreshments available
9.30 Opening plenary: welcome from the SLN eLearning Project team; outline of purpose and arrangements for the day with some attention given to points arising from recent JISC research into the e-learning practices of students:
- ‘….a process of integration of personal tools and technologies is occurring, which introduces both benefits and risks…..Yet learners’ preferences are largely unrecognised within their institutions, where the need for skill development in effective e-learning strategies is often underestimated and access on camous to technologies of their choice restricted.’ (JISC ‘In Their Own Words: exploring the learner’s perspective on e-learning’ 2007)
10.00 – 12.30 (with coffee at 11.00) Carousel of activities:an opportunity to discuss and interact with a number of different elearning technologies being developed by the SLN eLearning Project Team and by practitioners in Sussex-based institutions.
12.30 Closing plenary: planning for further and continuing collaborative work.
13.00 Lunch
Projects and activities available on the day will include:
Writing Skills Project with Robert Catt
Access to a range of technologies has brought changes to both the nature and purpose of much student writing. Interviews with students – and novice and non-traditional students, in particular – suggests that, for many, the writing process can be difficult, sometimes obscure and often stressful. There are ample resources and support materials available, often online, but many students have difficulty in navigating these and selecting those appropriate for specific purpose. The Writing Skills Project – initially aimed at tutors – is attempting to combine selected resource material with case study narratives in a form that will be both illuminative and supportive.
Number skills with Patrick Saintas
A number of resources which can be adapted by teachers or use directly by students. These resources are aimed at facilitating the acquisition of number skills by those students who need understanding of the metric system, the practice of converting from one unit of measurement to another and undertaking activities in developing confidence in working with fractions and decimals in preparing to apply for entry into professional training and education in Health and Social Care programmes.
Web 2.0 Technologies with Nigel Gibson
Recent and ongoing JISC research includes some illuminative case studies and offers thoughtful insight into the range and variety of technologies used by learners. Clearly, we need to recognise the importance of social networking as a part of students’ learning practices and, in this session, colleagues will be able to interact with a number of Web 2.0 technologies, explore their productive potential and look at how others are using them already.
Wikis and Blogs with Catherine Redknap
The Access to HE students at Varndean College have used wikis to contribute to small group work research projects on the 'dissemination of news since 1947'. The students, who all work full-time and study in the evenings, found that wikis were the best way to keep in touch with each other on a regular basis, and form small networks that can continue as study groups in future projects.
The BA(Hons) Fashion Design students that are currently out on work placements are using social networking tool fashionspace.com to keep a reflective blog, and keep in contact with staff and peers on a regular basis. The blogs have raised some interesting issues regarding the style of academic writing used, length of diary entries, and regularity of contribution. The use of blogs is a new development this year and will be extensively evaluated at the end of the projects in semester two.
I hope to meet other people that are using blogs and wikis to discuss the issues that have surfaced, and share experiences!
OpenLearn with Laura Dewis and James Brisland
OpenLearn is a major initiative contributing to the growing field of Open Educational Resources. Colleagues from the OpenLearn team will be offering two workshops. The first of these will provide a general introduction to OpenLearn, its origins, the principles upon which it is based and the range of resource study units and tools now freely available. In the second workshop colleagues will have some ‘hands on’ opportunities to download, edit, re-mix or write materials in relation to their own curriculum interests.
Second Life project with Liz Thackray
Although there is a good deal of interest in Second Life from the academic community, much of the academic interaction continues to replicate ‘real-life’ learning. As well as offering a general introduction to Second Life, this workshop will offer interested colleagues an opportunity to discuss and explore how, as a virtual 3D environment, Second Life can be used for learning in imaginative and creative ways. Liz Thackray will outline a collaborative venture with the University of Sussex and students studying Interactive learning Environments and will invite discussion of the ways in which other institutions might explore the potential of Second Life. There is more about this project on the inqbate website.
On-line action learning sets project with Jenny Lynden and Chris Taylor
Action learning has long been used to support reflective practice and professional development by involving practitioners working in a supportive group or 'set'. It has been argued that action learning has extensive value in the workplace because the approach involves: identifying real-world problems; exposure to new ways of thinking about those problems; and a supportive environment in which to explore, adopt and evaluate new practices. The on-line action learning project has carried out experimental work using FlashMeeting to facilitate action learning. There will be an opportunity to use FlashMeeting and to preview a new OpenLearn module which will enable practitioners to explore the value of FlashMeeting for action learning for themselves.
Follow up
ELT Follow up is now on a separate page
