Update from Innovating e-Learning 2008

The closing days of JISC online conference saw some deep discussion. The session we were facilitating asked whether we should free the maniacs (or students!). Prof Mark Stiles was interested in the reasons education tended to be "controlling". He saw a downward spiral where embedding innovation led to regulation, which could act as a barrier to further innovation. Mark felt a philosophy of "minimum control" within institutions was the way forward.

Various examples of control (and concerns over relinquishing it) were cited, with the inference that we need to 'unpick' what is meant by control. Mark offered a spectrum of control to act as a guide:

• Control - to exercise restraint or direction over; to hold in check
• Manage - to take charge or care of; to govern, or control in action or use
• Facilitate - to make easier; help forward (an action, a process, etc.)
• Enable - to give power, means, competence, or ability to; to make possible or easy
• Recognise - to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics

He highlighted that "as [organisations] move up from merely 'recognising' something happens to having a fully 'controlled' institutional approach that we stop at the LOWEST level needed". Peter Bullen (Mark's co-presenter) reminded us that while controls are normally introduced for a good reason, they can become embedded and later, as organisations change, the original reason can be forgotten and the control can become unnecessary. A clear example of why process improvement or continual review is essential.

Both presenters had outlined the change processes introduced within their organisations. With particular emphasis at the University of Hertfordshire of involving students in this process. This process is called CABLE (Change Academy for Blended Learning Enhancement) and is described in detail in 'CABLE: an approach to embedding blended learning in the curricula and across the institution'.

Labels: #jiscel08, conference, control, elearning, online conference, transformational change

I've just come across an interesting post from Rowin Young of CETIS about using World of Warcraft (WoW) for online conferencing. It is an interesting idea and follows on from work looking at using virtual worlds in an education context (for example see the video Rowin points out about the use of WoW, or check out a recent article in Escalate news by Sian Bayne and Fiona Littleton about the use of Virtual worlds (specifically Second Life) in Education).

It's great to see these innovative approaches being investigated (a recent Elearning Alliance event to discuss the use of Second Life held at Edinburgh University demonstrated the high level of interest), but beyond the draw of "intrigue" as Hamish Macleod (Ed University) put it, the added value - if any - still needs to be assessed in more depth. Further discussion of the possibilities of Second Life, and some reflections from the team at Edinburgh can also be found in this recent Guardian article, and current uses on the Second Life in Education wiki (which I came across thanks to ScotFEICT).

Labels: elearning, online conference, online gaming, second life, virtual worlds, world of warcraft

The REAP07 conference site will be archived and made publicly available in the near future. In the meantime you can register to view conference material on the existing conference website. If you would like to be kept informed about publication of conference material please contact Inspire Research.

Labels: assessment, conference, online conference, REAP project

The REAP 07 online conference came to a close on the 31st May, with a very lively panel session on Sharing responsibility for assessment: reflections on the conference.

We have been delighted by the interest shown in the conference, with 400 delegates from over 46 countries attending and some great key note speakers and case study authors, all contributing to make a really interesting and successful online event.

As conference organisers from Inspire Research Ltd, we have worked with the REAP team to design the format and structure of the conference. Inspire Research Ltd played a key role in taking the idea forward – planning the organisation of the conference and the bespoke online environment. This has included creating the case study template, tracking submissions, keeping everyone informed and up to date (including authors, facilitators, keynotes, panellist and moderators), scheduling the programme, building the conference structure online, keeping everything on track during the conference, preparing the conference updates, and much more behind the scenes.

Having seen the interest generated by the REAP conference, I’m sure you can appreciate the value and opportunities presented by this kind of online event. If you would like to talk through the implications and consider whether this would work for you please do contact us. We can advise on all aspects of hosting your own online event.

Remember that all the case studies, forums and chat sessions can still be accessed at the REAP07 conference webstite.

Labels: assessment, conference, online conference, REAP project

We are pleased to announce that Inspire Research Ltd are the conference organisers for the REAP International Online Conference. The conference is part of the Re-engineering Assessment Practices (REAP) project, a £1m initiative funded by the Scottish Funding Council under its e-Learning Transformation initiative. REAP is a collaborative project involving the University of Strathclyde, University of Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian University.

This entirely online conference will address "Assessment design for learner responsibility", with three themes focusing on:

• Assessment and the first year experience;
• Great designs for assessment; and
• Institutional strategies (designs) for assessment.

Over 60 case studies were submitted to the call for submissions, which closed last month. The conference will include keynote presentations, expert facilitator led discussion of case studies, panel sessions, and more. The programme is currently being finalised, with details due to be released early in May. The conference itself will run from the 29th to the 31st May 2007 with reading time beforehand.

For more information, please visit the conference website or contact us at reapconference@inspire-research.co.uk.

Labels: assessment, conference, online conference, REAP project