ALT-C 2006: The Next Generation Conference:Enough Talking - Let's Use The Next Generation Technologies!
ALT-C 2006: The Next Generation Conference:A workshop on Enough Talking - Let's Use The Next Generation Technologies! was held at the ALT-C 2006: The Next Generation Conference, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh on 6th September 2006 from 16.00-17.30 (BST). The conference was held on 5-7th September 2006.
Despite the undoubted importance of virtual learning environments, lecture theatres are still widely used to support learning within our institutions. However the increasing provision in WiFi networks in lecture theatres together with the growth in use of mobile networked devices such as laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, voice recorders, etc. is providing an opportunity to enhance the quality of learning in lectures. In addition networked applications such as instant messaging, Internet telephony, Webcams, Blogs and Wikis have the potential to enhance the transition from the "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side" by allowing students to engage more actively in the learning experience during lecturers.
However use of computers during lecturers may fill some lecturing staff with horror - mobile phones may be bad enough, but will the quality of learning deteriorate with students reading email, playing games, listening to music and possibly downloading pornography during lectures!
The workshop will explore the potential benefits and dangers of this approach in the context of teaching and learning in lecture theatres. The issues discussed will be relevant not only in the context of conventional lecturers but also at conferences, such as ALT-C. The facilitators hope that the lessons learnt during the workshop will enable the participants to make effective use of the WiFi network during the remainder of the ALT-C conference.
The session will not only talk about use of networked applications but will also encourage use of networked applications during the talks and group sessions. These technologies will be used for a purpose - during the workshop participants will help to develop a framework covering use of such technologies, based on their experiences and on discussions of several case studies.
This workshop session aims to address the conference theme of "The Next Generation", and will seek to avoid the traditional approach (perhaps surprisingly) taken at e-learning conferences which typically focus on use of PowerPoint presentations followed by questions.
The session will also provide an opportunity to explore the dangers of use of innovative technologies - including potential disruption and distraction, copyright and privacy issues and the dangers of social exclusion. It should be noted that, although use of networked devices will be encouraged, the workshop will be designed as a blended event, so that participants should enjoy a valuable learning experience even if they do not have access to a networked device.
The PowerPoint slides are licensed under a
Creative
Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 UK licence.
Resources mentioned during this workshop will be bookmarked in the del.icio.us social bookmarking services using the tag alt-c-2006-workshop-kelly-wilson-stevenson.
A Gabbly chat room was available for use during the meeting.
Two types of Wikis are available to support the workshop:
These Wikis were provided for use by the discussion groups. Two types of Wikis are provided (a) to compare the differemt approaches and (b) as a backup:
The Wikis were used to support the Six Thinking Hats exefrcise in which participants were asked to reflect on the issues which had been idenitified in the first exercise.
The notes of the discussion are available on the Wetpaint Wiki:
The following Wikis were not used:
In addition, a Wiki is available for this page:
Brian Kelly's job title is "UK Web Focus". His remit is to support the higher and further education and cultural heritage communities in making effective use of Web technologies. His post is funded by the JISC and the MLA.
Brian is an experienced Web developer having set up his first Web site in January 1993 whilst working in the Computing Service at the University of Leeds. After spending a year as a Senior Trainer for Netskills. In November 1996 Brian moved to UKOLN - a national centre of expertise in digital information management which is located at the University of Bath.
Since November 1996 Brian has been employed at UKOLN - a national centre of expertise in digital information management which is located at the University of Bath.
Brian's email address is b.kelly AT ukoln.ac.uk
Adrian Stevenson works for the Learning Technology Services Team which is part of Internet Services at the University of Manchester. He is currently the Project Manager for an internal project investigating service-oriented (SOA) approaches to e-learning resource discovery. His experience is in Web-based systems design and development using HTML, XML and Web Service technologies.
Adrian has also worked for MIMAS, a national data centre based at the University of Manchester, on the JISC-funded JORUM project (2002-2005). Prior to this he was a Web Developer for Multimedia Services at Leeds Metropolitan University (2001-2002) and the Web Editor at King's College London (2000-2001). Adrian first studied Economics and later Continental Philosophy at the University of Warwick. Following this he became a professional guitarist in a number of bands based in London, as well as a Sound Engineer for a number of independent artists including My Bloody Valentine.
Adrian's email address is adrian.stevenson AT manchester.ac.uk
Scott Wilson is an Assistant Director of the JISC-funded CETIS advisory service. Scott joined CETIS in August 2001 and was responsible initially for turning the CETIS site into the portal for learning technology standards. Scott has a special interest in standards for infrastructure and enterprise integration.
Scott's email address is scott.bradley.wilson AT gmail.com
