Was it me or was the 'Learning Technologies Conference' Exhibition a bit of a let down?
I found as I wandered around company after company trying to sell elearning the old way they seem to neglect the fact that social learning is around now. We can learn in a less formal way, as demonstrated by BT with their in house social network.
Reading around I wandered to Janes post of the day and found some useful thoughts and more importantly a link to an interesting article. Well worth a read.
Ref Internet Time Alliance
http://internettime.posterous.com/go-straight-to-the-finish-line
Friday 29 January 2010
Thursday 28 January 2010
Elearning Technologies Conference
Olympia and a mass of ‘Learning Professionals’ embark on a two day event to receive an update and motivation for the next twelve months.
Preaching to the converted in my case I already work in the cloud; believe we should be changing the way we teach; want to use innovative ideas in my classroom and finally ‘I am willing to do something about it’. There was a number of high and low points for me it started on a high and ended on a high an in between a bit of a mixed bag.
I think Lord Puttnam, who ‘pressed the case for digital learning with a moral purpose’ made a number of good points but one that stuck for me was the points he made about ‘Needing Teachers’, its time that educators realised that elearning does not reduce the need for educators.
OK a pet hate of mine is listening to someone reading a lecture or presentation and we went from a presentation that fell well into this area, out of respect I listened rather than read what was in the brochure, but it was no where near as good as the last presentation. Professor Stephen Heppell it wasn’t just about the content, it was delivered and sent out into the audience in a wave and you could feel the interest in the room. Yes we know the classroom has to change, but its not all about elearning, we are always going to need the teacher. I wonder, will we ever see a day when young children learn at home on the internet in their virtual classrooms under the supervision of mum or dad; perhaps going in to school once or twice a week. I didn’t have the nerve to ask that one.
Other good points for me; it was good to see Jane Hart, author of a site I use frequently, it’s a real person. Peter Butler, BT showed how BT make use of social networking and podcasts plenty of food for thought here, why did I leave BT.
‘Mobile technology is going to be the next big thing’, Steve Wheeler, obvious to me Steve but what you said was both up to date and useful which was not the case with some of the other presentations I saw. Overall a great couple of days away from the class and although I heard one presenter use the opportunity to promote ‘his paper’, and another tell me, ‘before you use tools do your research’, doh really, and a workshop that encouraged discussion and then shut us up each time we got going, it did not spoil it for me. You are never going to get it all right and match everyone’s needs with every session. It was nevertheless a good blend.
As for the exhibition, I know we have gone through a recession and sales are down but I am sorry guys elearning is not the only thing to do with 'Learning Technologies', I felt like I was walking down a street containing a number of restaurants and being beckoned in, too much sales pushing; show us the technology where are all the new gadgets. I would also like to see the sharing of expertise there are a lot of universities doing good things, look at the OU, MIT and can't believe they are paying companies to develop material, so what are they using. More importantly what with all the sweets, I am proud to say I never took one.
The conference follow up will be on the events website
Always worth another look when considering education 'Did you know'
Preaching to the converted in my case I already work in the cloud; believe we should be changing the way we teach; want to use innovative ideas in my classroom and finally ‘I am willing to do something about it’. There was a number of high and low points for me it started on a high and ended on a high an in between a bit of a mixed bag.
I think Lord Puttnam, who ‘pressed the case for digital learning with a moral purpose’ made a number of good points but one that stuck for me was the points he made about ‘Needing Teachers’, its time that educators realised that elearning does not reduce the need for educators.
‘In fact we need to consider educators, technologists and arguably the students themselves, as joint stakeholders in the design and delivery of whole new learning environments’.He also stressed the importance of the educational process, and the requirement to put the world right. I am not sure I agree its ‘our’ fault and its certainly not too late, but I wouldn’t mind being a young lad starting on his educational adventure now with all the trimmings on offer.
OK a pet hate of mine is listening to someone reading a lecture or presentation and we went from a presentation that fell well into this area, out of respect I listened rather than read what was in the brochure, but it was no where near as good as the last presentation. Professor Stephen Heppell it wasn’t just about the content, it was delivered and sent out into the audience in a wave and you could feel the interest in the room. Yes we know the classroom has to change, but its not all about elearning, we are always going to need the teacher. I wonder, will we ever see a day when young children learn at home on the internet in their virtual classrooms under the supervision of mum or dad; perhaps going in to school once or twice a week. I didn’t have the nerve to ask that one.
Other good points for me; it was good to see Jane Hart, author of a site I use frequently, it’s a real person. Peter Butler, BT showed how BT make use of social networking and podcasts plenty of food for thought here, why did I leave BT.
‘Mobile technology is going to be the next big thing’, Steve Wheeler, obvious to me Steve but what you said was both up to date and useful which was not the case with some of the other presentations I saw. Overall a great couple of days away from the class and although I heard one presenter use the opportunity to promote ‘his paper’, and another tell me, ‘before you use tools do your research’, doh really, and a workshop that encouraged discussion and then shut us up each time we got going, it did not spoil it for me. You are never going to get it all right and match everyone’s needs with every session. It was nevertheless a good blend.
As for the exhibition, I know we have gone through a recession and sales are down but I am sorry guys elearning is not the only thing to do with 'Learning Technologies', I felt like I was walking down a street containing a number of restaurants and being beckoned in, too much sales pushing; show us the technology where are all the new gadgets. I would also like to see the sharing of expertise there are a lot of universities doing good things, look at the OU, MIT and can't believe they are paying companies to develop material, so what are they using. More importantly what with all the sweets, I am proud to say I never took one.
The conference follow up will be on the events website
Always worth another look when considering education 'Did you know'
H808 comes to an end, where next?
Its all been a bit quiet, I guess I have been busy. Where did the last 6 months go. Almost as soon as it started I find myself completing an ECA. And breathing a sigh of relief as the final assessment flies off into cyberspace. Hopefully to return and signal the successful completion of H808, ‘The elearning professional’. Now I have had a few moments to catch up I think a gentle reflection is in order.
It’s been a fast and furious journey how did it all fit in, we have created wikis, blogs and performed group work. A pause here on the group work because, yes it was a successful group work as a result of the contributions within the group I think. Not easy as group work across the globe is certainly a challenge. I have tutored course with group work and watched groups fail despite all my efforts, you tend to blame yourself as a tutor and think you can control the efforts of your students when you can’t. However a couple of catalyst in the group and you can be away, the trick is plan quickly and layout a flexible structure with clear targets. Members can plan with clear aims other wise the first 3 or four days are wasted and then before you know it a week has past.
OU students are motivated not that students in full time study aren’t , there is just something different about an OU student. I am not sure it's the fact that they are paying for the course its more to do with the reasons they have for study. 'fun, it keeps the brain active, the materials are second to none, its more than just learning; just some of reasons given to me in the past for my students wanting to study the OU way. As a student myself I can add to this, its certainly not an easy option.
What else have I learnt this year.Having researched and discovered eportfolios I have changed my approach, gone is Pebblepad and in comes Google Docs, Sites and all the trimmings of working in the ‘cloud’. I have collaborated online and built a power point presentation with 5 other students. It worked well was easy and was actually effective. I have been a cloud user for over a year but a security issue at work prevents me from fully embracing it which is a pity. It will come I am sure but for now it’s a case of , steady as she goes.
Academic writing is back on the agenda, I was a bit rusty but it soon comes back, blogging is laid back, no one should read a blog and start correcting the grammar of spellings, come on peeps let the blogger just rattle it off, don't spoil it; we want more blogging and sharing of information.
Academic writing is back on the agenda, I was a bit rusty but it soon comes back, blogging is laid back, no one should read a blog and start correcting the grammar of spellings, come on peeps let the blogger just rattle it off, don't spoil it; we want more blogging and sharing of information.
Where to next ? Quite simply a short break perhaps a little reflection and it’s off to H807 and ‘Innovations in elearning’, hoping for some inspiration from the Learning Technologies Conference in Olympia
I almost forgot I am now Tutoring a new course T215 and all the adventures that brings, actually looking forward to it, it was time for a change and it should keep me on my toes.
Sunday 3 January 2010
CA 9.1 Desktop research
Since the start of H808 I have been more active on my Blog I have seen its use as a key component of my learning it falls quite clearly into the category of 'tool for students to keep a reflective, learning journal'. It has been used for this purpose and has developed over the course into a useful reflection and log of activity.
This reflection looks at what other uses can be made of Blogs within education and identifies a number that I feel are particularly relevant to my area of work and my personal development. I have started by forming a category list and then identifying a number of blogs that fall within these categories.
Category List
Educational Issues
Educational Tools and Reference
Course specific
Teaching and Personal Development
A range of sites that are subject specific that enable research and updating of knowledge. These sites also share expertise and subject specific teaching experiences. One example lists a number of different sites therfore acting as a useful index page. http://movingforward.wikispaces.com/Education+Blogs+by+Discipline
Educational Issues:
It is important that educational issues are discussed and debated in as wide an audience as possible, to include international aspects as well. Education has changed considerably since the arrival of internet based resources. This site is just one such example http://kylesmodernclassroom.blogspot.com/ it tends to focus on issues relating to the modern classroom but this is a significant issue for some of the more experienced teachers that have not grown up with modern technology.
Educational Tools and Reference:
With the many tools and skills required to to produce an effective elearning experience forever growing the sharing of these skills an experiences are paramount in order to save time yet still stay up to date.
http://terenceonline.blogspot.com/ is one example site where experiences are share and useful information has been provided on some of the tools available. Another site that is useful and updated frequently is http://elearningtech.blogspot.com/ and http://janeknight.typepad.com/pick/ covers tools and technology in a social learning environment.
Course specific:
To make the most of the accessibility of the internet many educational institutions are making facilities available to its teachers to share resources and course content within the context of an individual course. This enables group work, further learning and the sharing of experiences to access such material usually requires passwords and access control to limit its content to those actually on the course. As an example of this I have selected H808 from the Open University where the use of Blogs Wikis and group conferences are made use of.
https://msds.open.ac.uk/students/course.aspx?c=H808_2009I a second example being http://www.mathalino.com/ which provides solutions to mathematical problems.
Teaching and Personal Development:
Every day true teachers make positive differences in the lives of other learners through their words and actions. http://www.learningandteaching.info/ is a site that contains several blogs and is a huge resource of teaching information. An additional selection is
http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com/ which shows promise. By sharing ideas and reflective practice all teachers can improve their best practice and enrich the learning environment for the student.
An additional reference that I found useful as a resource for links is
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