Latest Learning Lab Podcast available

After the summer break the next edition of 'Tales from the Lab' is now available to download. This edition features an interview with Dr. Matt Jones from the FIT Lab about the Story Bank - using digital stories for learning in developing countries.

Dr. Paul Latreille wins prestigious award.

Dr. Paul Latreille has won a prestigious award for his use of e-learning in Economics from the Higher Education Academy.

As reported on the University website -

"The Economics Network of the Higher Education Academy promotes high quality learning and teaching and celebrates good practices within the Higher Education economics community. The annual awards are open to UK-based academics who have demonstrated excellent commitment, enthusiasm and effectiveness in their teaching."

"Dr Paul Latreille was joint winner of the eLearning Award, which is given in recognition of innovative good practice in the use of eLearning to enhance economics teaching and to provide a stimulating and effective learning experience for economics students."

Congratulations Paul

More on the University Website

Top 100 tools for learning?

Jane Hart has produced a list of the 'Top 100 tools for learning'.

"In July and August 2007 the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies invited learning professionals to contribute their Top 10 Tools lists. The brief was simple: “What are your top 10 favourite tools for your own personal learning/working or for creating learning for others”. 109 people responded to the invitation."

Interestingly, none of the Top 10 are traditional e-learning tools. More surprisingly, there are no wikis or social networking tools in the top 10. I guess it depends who you ask.

1 Firefox - Web browser
2 del.icio.us - Social bookmarking tool
3 Skype - Instant messaging, VoIP tool
4 Google Search - Web search tool
5 PowerPoint - Presentation software
6 Wordpress - Blogging tool
7 = Gmail - Web-based email
7 = Google - Reader RSS/Feed reader
9 Blogger - Blogging tool
10 Word - Word processing software

Download a copy of the full list http://www.janeknight.com/downloads/top100tools.pdf

Event: From Margin to Mainstream

From Margin to Mainstream: consultation conference on an e-learning strategy for Higher Education in Wales

Date: Tuesday 13 November 2007, 9.30 – 16.30

Venue: The Metropole Hotel, Temple St, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5DY www.metropole.co.uk

Bookings are invited for a major conference on e-learning in Welsh Higher Education. This free conference is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales www.hefcw.ac.uk and the Higher Education Academy http://www.heacademy.ac.uk in association with JISC RSC Wales www.rsc-wales.ac.uk. Staff from HEFCW-funded institutions are encouraged to attend.

In addition to sessions for delegates to consult on an E-learning Strategy for Higher Education in Wales, there is a rich programme of speakers assembled from universities and e-learning organisations across the UK, covering the following themes:

- E-learning and Pedagogy

- E-assessment

- Widening Participation

- Innovation in e-learning

- Learning spaces – physical and virtual

Participants are invited to opt for three breakout sessions from any of these strands.

Programme

The full programme, together with abstracts of breakout sessions and speaker biographies, is available via the JISC RSC Wales website at

http://www.rsc-wales.ac.uk/hefcw/programme1.asp

Benefits of attending

The conference offers participants the opportunity to:

- Take part in consultation on the draft E-learning strategy for Higher Education in Wales

- Network with a wide range of staff across Welsh Higher Education who are interested in developing the use of technologies to support learning and teaching

- Draw on examples of good practice and expertise from universities and other organisations

Target audience

The conference will be of value to a wide range of staff in Wales including:

- Pro-Vice Chancellors or other senior staff with responsibility for learning and teaching

- e-learning champions in universities

- university staff with responsibility for developing e-learning

- staff leading in innovative practices in relation to university learning and teaching

- university staff involved in library and information services for learning and teaching; learning spaces; widening participation

- Higher Education coordinators and ILT champions (or equivalent) in Further Education colleges in receipt of HEFCW funding

How to book

Please complete the online booking form at http://www.rsc-wales.ac.uk/hefcw/ no later than Friday 12 October. Please note that space is limited so early booking is advised.

Accommodation

Delegates may take advantage of a discount available on overnight accommodation at the Metropole Hotel.

Further information

Further details are available from:

Alun Williams, HEFCW, Linden Court, The Orchards, Ilex Close, Llanishen, Cardiff CF14 5DZ. Tel: 029 2068 2202; fax: 029 2076 3163; email: alun.williams@hefcw.ac.uk.

Helen Kelly, Administrator, RSC Wales, Library and Information Services, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP. Tel: 01792 295005; email: h.kelly@swansea.ac.uk.