Using 'Web 2.0' Tools?

There are lots of useful 'Web 2.0' tools around and many of them can be used for learning and teaching. However, before doing so there are a number of issues you need to be aware of. LIS have produced a series of questions that you need to ask before using external 'Web 2.0' tools, such as Blogger, Twitter and Facebook; particularly if you plan to use them in learning and teaching.

The guidance notes were adapted with permission from work done by Oxford University Computing Centre and can be accessed here-

Risk Analysis for Using External Tools (MS Word)
Risk Analysis for Using External Tools (pdf)

Event: Free Conference - Mobile Technology

Wolverhamption Learning Lab and Edutxt are pleased to announce its one day conference at Priorslee Hall, Telford at the Shropshire Campus of the University of Wolverhampton.

Every student and 98% of parents have a mobile phone capable of sending and receiving SMS text messages. It is undeniably socially and digitally inclusive. Desktop SMS is now being used in hundreds of Universities, Colleges and Schools. This is your opportunity to find out from peers why.

This one day FREE* event is designed to give you an insight into how colleges and universities are utilising this simple technology to dramatically improve the way they communicate with their students and peers.

Learn from people who have been using this technology every day for years

• Experience practical case examples delivered by users
• Understand how you will improve your service to students
• Free trial accounts and some free messages
• Txt geniuses on hand all day to give expert tips and free training
• See what future developments are taking place in the coming months

Keynote by Mike Short, Vice President of Research and Development O2


Register for your FREE* place now at http://www.learninglab.org.uk

E for Enhancement 2009: Conference on Technology-Enhanced Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

When: 2nd April 2009

Where: Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences

How much: Free of charge

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), Higher Education Academy (HE Academy) and JISC Regional Support Centre for Wales (JISC RSC Wales) will host a conference on 2 April 2009 focusing on enhancement of learning and teaching through the use of technology.

The event will be chaired and opened by Sean Mackney, Deputy Chief Executive, Higher Education Academy, and will include a presentation from Professor Stephen Heppell, Visiting Professor at University of Wales, Newport. The day will be closed by Dr David Blaney of HEFCW.

The objectives of the day will be threefold:
• To explore ways in which HEIs practise good and innovative use of technology.
• To identify and debate key issues in technology enhanced learning in Wales, and explore the use of technology in student support.
• To reflect on the benefits of, and barriers to, technology-enhancement developments in Wales.

Key speakers from the sector and related agencies will discuss a range of fast moving issues including using technology to enhance:
• Teaching
• Learning
• Organisational processes
• Assessment
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We anticipate that the event will be of interest to staff engaged in the delivery of learning, teaching, and ICT, as well as senior management, and agencies such as Higher Education Wales, Wales International Consortium, NUS Wales, and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Further details and link to booking form: http://tinyurl.com/enhancement2009

Please book by Friday 20 March – places are limited.

Following confirmation of your booking, you will receive an email within a few days to invite you to book onto one morning and one afternoon breakout session. At the same time you will be invited to indicate your language preference.

For more information about bookings or the programme, contact RSC Wales at events@rsc-wales.ac.uk tel. 01792 295959.

e-Learning Reading Group

The first of a monthly, or so, get together to discuss a particular article or book relating to e-learning.

When: Tuesday February 17th 11.00am

Where: PC Room 1 in the Library Building

If you can't make the session you can join the discussion on the wiki http://labreadinggroup.wikispaces.com/Reading+One

Reading: An absolutely riveting online course: Nine principles for excellence in web-based teaching by Jim Henry & Jeff Meadows

You can access the reading from here http://tinyurl.com/choxm9

Abstract: This article explores excellence in web-based teaching. Drawing on the views of experts in the field and the perspective of their own years of experience, the authors compiled a list of 9 principles to provide direction in the search for online excellence. The principles include: the online world is a medium unto itself; sense of community and social presence are essential to online excellence; in the online world, content is a verb; great online courses are defined by teaching, not technology. The list is not intended to be an exclusive set of principles or a comprehensive guide to online teaching. Rather it is a collection of important ideas and suggestions for teaching excellence in the online world.

February Glamorgan CELT Events

Registration is compulsory, so should you wish to attend any of these events, please complete a registration form for each seminar and return to celtevents@glam.ac.uk. More events are yet to be confirmed, so please visit http://celt.glam.ac.uk/seminars for updates.

Excellence in Media Education – The Next Steps

11th February 2009

Venue: CB403, Atrium Campus, Cardiff

Speaker: Jon Wardle - Bournemouth University

The Centre for Excellence in Media Practice at Bournemouth University now moves into the second phase of its cycle to innovate and promote excellence in teaching and learning. In this session, Jon Wardle will discuss a range of recent CEMP initiatives, research and projects and demonstrate a range of learning and assessment tools of interest to anyone teaching in the Art Design and Media subjects areas in both FE and HE.

University engagement with learning opportunities in the workplace

17th February 2009
12.00 – 2.00
Venue: G508, Treforest campus

Speakers: Heather Skinner (CELT/GBS) and Peter J. Green (CELT)

Learning Through Employment is a framework which allows individuals already in employment to work towards a university level qualification relevant to their specific area of work. Its main feature is that the majority of learning takes place through active and reflective engagement with work activities, underpinned by the appropriate academic knowledge and skills. Courses can be tailored around any subject and are negotiated between the learner, the university and the employer.