Fin de la nuit

This report presents some key concepts about educational practices in the future - and also some examples of practice. It's interesting to see the view from the higher ground sometimes.

Probably a bit early to think about about it but just in case... The full title for the conference is 'Learning without Limits: Facing the Challenges'. The blurb says: We will focus on the challenges and opportunities brought by formal and informal learning, social networks and personal technologies, mobile learning and innovative on-campus education, virtual and real teaching & learning scenarios, and how teachers and learners are harnessing the power and potential of new and emerging technologies. Topic areas: Emerging Learning Technologies Classroom Learning Technology New Pedagogies and Practices Mobile Learning, Ambient and Pervasive Technologies Games for Learning 3D Multi User Virtual Environments Social Web and Social Networking Multi-Media Digital Literacy Digital Identity

The journey continues. I have just posted my first Slideshare presentation, based on the one I gave at a conference last week. As with each new social media tool I use, I feel really nervous. I know perfectly well that only a handful of people look at it, but somehow it feels quite different, as if everyone online could see it. I'll probably create a link from my LinkedIn page, to create a more complete professional portrait.

Scott Abel's presentation ('10 Web 2.0 Tools Marketers Can Use Today') is not written for educators. But I just wonder whether his review can be useful too? The idea behind Web 2.0 marketing is that the marketeer should not longer be telling customers about the product, but be an expert providing relevant content to gives ides and solutions to customers... doesn't this sound familiar? No longer the sage on the stage, but the guide at the side... I've started to read a couple of books on Web 2.0 and its uses in marketing, and there seems to possibilities for overlap... if you squint, and stand on one behind a pilar ;-)

There's an interesting video on YouTube about using Twitter in lectures. What I found here is Monica Rankin's (the lecturer's) views on her webpage. This provides useful background and insight into her expierence and that of her students. Some interesting points: not all students knew about Twitter and needed help setting up not all students had PCs, so they used their mobiles; some used paper to jot down ntoes which were then collated by the classroom assistant (US lecturers are very lucky!) there's a quick overview on how to set things up in Twitter to keep exchanges organised Tweetdeck was used as a 'board' to show interactions responses overlapped, which made is difficult to follow discussion streams most students participated! I need to mull this over, and see how I could adapt this for my elearners. There's a wide range of ages, though most are computer savvy. I'll have to pilot with the ones who are dead keen first, so that I get a better understa...

Just came across this article: Gerstl-Pepin, C. and Patrizio , K. (2009) Learning from Dumbledore's Pensieve: metaphor as an aid in teaching reflexivity in qualitative research . Qualitative Research , 9 (3): 299-308 Perhaps a metaphor for blogging too? Conceptualizing reflective notes as a Pensieve has the potential to expand student understanding... Like a Pensieve, these notes can function as a repository for personal reflections, document changes in understanding, and invite the sharing of memories with others so that one has an opportunity to engage in a more in-depth discussion about experiences and interpretations.

The Week 3 group task involves looking at how I might support the digital and lernaing literacies of students on my course. There's a personal element and a group element. For the personal element, I would like to consider how I could embed the use of Lindked in my MA professinal courses, to intiate and enhance students' social presence, particularly in the induction modules (ie the modules that students first do). Quite a few students have LinkedIn accounts already, but some don't, so I would need to put together a slide presentation (may be with voice-over) to explain: what LinkedIn is what the benefits are (and possible problems) give some hints about how to use the software. My prof comm students are usually very computer savvy, so an issue here could be that some will know more than I do!. Another issue is where to consider about the slide presentation: should it go within the 'walled garden' of the Blackboard environment supported by my university, or out ther...