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Wednesday, August 03, 2005

e-Learning and college inspection

Thanks to Martin Cooke, ILT Curriculum Advisor at the JISC Regional Support Centre East Midlands:

References to e-learning from the draft of the 2005 Ofsted handbook for inspecting colleges:

192. E-learning is learning facilitated and supported through the use of ICT. It may involve the use of computers, interactive whiteboards, digital cameras, the internet, the college intranet, virtual learning environments and electronic communication tools such as email, discussion boards, chat facilities and video conferencing. E-learning should form part of the overall teaching and learning strategy for each course. There should be appropriate references to e-learning in schemes of work, lesson plans, assignments, course reviews and staff development plans. An overall strategy for e-learning should be supported by senior managers. Effective e-learning should:

•  improve learners. understanding of topics or activities that are part of their academic or vocational programme
•  improve their skills and their knowledge of the technology being used
•  help to maintain their interest in their programme.

193. In particular, inspectors will evaluate whether:

•  staff and learners have the relevant IT skills to make good use of elearning facilities
•  there are adequate resources for e-learning
•  the quality and effectiveness of e-learning is well monitored
•  there are appropriate opportunities for learners to use e-learning facilities outside scheduled lessons.

UK based edubloggers directory

Night_space_shuttle_launch

Thanks to Adrian Lee we have wiki space - http://www.camaban.co.uk/wiki/

I'll put some entries in myself as soon as I have 2 minutes to spare but in the meantime, if you're edblogging from England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales, as a researcher, teacher, edtech, administrator, academic or learner, or facilitating education based blogging, please head over and leave your details. There's even an expat slot (James)! Please also do publicise this and get your edubloging mums, colleagues and friends to sign up - I'm after a reasonably comprehensive overview of UK educational blogging. This information is useful and valuable! Especially for collaborating, developing the community, sharing local knowledge and innovative practice.

If anyone wants to contribute a button that would be great too . Appreciate the help! 

The blast off image comes from the Cincinnati Museum SPACE exhibition website

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Britcaster Wiki

I've just stumbled across the Britcaster Wiki pages - a community and resource for podcasters UK & worldwide.  Brit casters and directories. as well as news on the very first Podcastcon UK taking place in London on September 17th 2005.

Sign Up for the Edubloggers meet up!

Galatoast

A Gala Toast copyright Getty Images

Cunningly coinciding with Stephen Downes attending and speaking at ALT-C this year, I'm organising an edubloggers meet up in Manchester on Tuesday night, 6th September.

The first meeting point is for Alt-C attendees: 7pm at the Taste of the Orient Dinner in the Barnes Wallis Restaurant on Sackville Street. There's wireless network access for anyone who want to live blog.

Then we'll be meeting in the Lass O'Gowrie (non-conference attendees welcome), a traditional English pub with real ale for those who like that kind of thing on Charles Street at 8.30 pm. We may be moving on from here after a drink or two, depending on how busy it is. So let me know if you think you may be late!

Barnes Wallis Restaurant

About Lass O'Gowrie

Map to the pub

Please sign up in the comments.

Monday, August 01, 2005

BlogHer envy

Finalbhc_mast

My own glamorous edublogging existence is pretty localised at the moment - ie I couldn't afford to get to the inaugural BlogHer con in the US this weekend, although I did drop by the chat room. I'm looking for other women with plans to set up a Euro BlogHer next spring - is anyone out there already on this, or do we need to start a committee?  Please let me know!

Free as in Edublogs

James Farmer has been on a one man edublogger rampage recently, stirring up the edublogging hoards.

First, there was the provocative How Not to Use Blogs in Education post, swiftly followed by the easily as provocative How To Use Blogs in Education. Next - phase two in his Empire where the posts never stop pinging - the man is offering free blog hosting for edubloggers. Or is he really tempting innocent educators with server space in return for their eternal soul? Either way, it's a pretty good deal. You get to enjoy the latest version of word press and embark on your glittering edublogging career.

Still not convinced? Check out Stephen Downes's post How to be Heard for top tips on becoming and staying a blogger. I'm busy working up a list of UK edubloggers at the moment (anyone got wiki space?) so hurry up and take advantage of James before his generosity bankrupts him.