Further to mark’s earlier post, the e-portfolio conference has some details here:
http://www.epasiapacific.org/wellington
As Mark said, “One of the web’s best kept secrets” as it is not even on EiFEl’s home base web page.
31 January 2007
11 January 2007
EIfEL ePortfolio conference, Wellington 2007
The European Institute for E-Learning (EIfEL) will be holding its New Zealand event at the Wellington Convention Centre, 29-30 March. This will be a premiere ePortfolio conference, featuring international speakers and the Mahara system currently under development through the eCDF (see also previous post).
Abstracts are due 7 February, though there is no announcement as yet on the EIfEL Website. The programme for the event held in Auckland (2005) can be reviewed as an example of what might be expected.
Distance Learning Today
The US Distance Learning Association (USDLA) has started publishing a quarterly supplement to USA Today. The first issue is titled Distance Learning Today (PDF download) begins with the assertion that distance learning is approaching a “tipping point” in the US, and goes on to provide a basic introduction to distance learning, and useful overview of distance education in the US context.
The article begins with a section titled “challenging myths about distance learning” by Dr. Robert Mendenhall which will resonate with anyone who is involved in the field. There are several other features, covering matters to do with the role of teachers and technology, how to evaluate online offerings, and ways in which distance learning is transforming lives and learning.
The article is written for a consumer, not academic audience, and therefore it lacks the references etc. that you might expect with an academic article, but it is a useful read all the same.
9 January 2007
International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (IJ-SoTL) is now online
Alan Altany sent me this recently, and whilst not directly a Distance Education journal you will find some related articles.
The inaugural issue of International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (IJ-SoTL) is now online at http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ijsotl/current.htm, published by the Center for Excellence in Teaching at Georgia Southern University. Please inform colleagues, relevant listservs, etc. about the issue.
The deadline for submissions for the 2nd issue is May 15, 2007.
If not already subscribed, you are invited to join the IJ-SoTL discussion list for any and all things connected with SoTL and the improvement of student learning:
http://www.georgiasouthen.edu/ijsotl/dl.htm.
There are currently about 275 international subscribers.
8 January 2007
Learning Spaces edited by Diana Oblinger
“Space, whether physical or virtual, can have a significant impact on learning. Learning Spaces focuses on how learner expectations influence such spaces, the principles and activities that facilitate learning, and the role of technology from the perspective of those who create learning environments: faculty, learning technologists, librarians, and administrators. Information technology has brought unique capabilities to learning spaces, whether stimulating greater interaction through the use of collaborative tools, videoconferencing with international experts, or opening virtual worlds for exploration. This e-book represents an ongoing exploration as we bring together space, technology, and pedagogy to ensure learner success.
Please note: In addition to the e-book’s core chapters on learning space design principles (chapters 1–13) , this site also offers case studies illustrating those principles (chapters 15–43), including links to examples of innovative learning spaces. The entire collection is complete and available for printing as individual chapters or the entire book.”
Wikipedia branches out
One of the founders of Wikipedia, Larry Sanger, has announced a new citizen’s compendium called Citizendium. Citizendium will overcome some of the distortions of content which occur on wikipedia by requiring registration, and having a set of community rules which will be gently enforced by a team of editors.
Content will initially be drawn from wikipedia and the two will diverge based on their different approaches.
