Ascilite 2010
The problem with this excellent conference program is that I can’t be in three or four places at once. The range of topical and well-grounded elearning r&d work on offer is of the usual high standard.
Day one
9.35 Skipping over a day of workshops followed by a socially rich reception at UTS (Sydney University of Technology) stunning refurbished city centre facility – the events opened with a keynote by Professor Jan Herrington. Jan reviews the 20+ year old model of authentic and constructivist learning in the context of emergent technologies, concluding that the model is more important than ever in a rapidly transforming educational landscape. Discussion of the need for further research and how studies can be conducted is included. A great mix of practical and entertaining examples of what 'authentic learning' really means.
11.00 A sponsor presentation from Blackboard, one of the dominant designs in Learning Management Systems (LMS) carries the enigmatic title ‘the nexus of your enterprise VLE (virtual learning environment)’. The focus is on transition from the LMS to a more diverse VLE, and how their product supports an open and powerful enterprise approach as it evolves and grows. I can tell the presenter is a sponsor. He's wearing a tie.
11.25 Presenters from a number of Australian universities address the question ‘is teaching and learning in virtual worlds worth the effort?’ The answer is yes and no. Yes because learners have access to the virtual equivalent of high risk situations and collaboration across distance. No because it comes at high cost, at the top of a steep learning curve and sometimes lacks sound theoretical frameworks. This truly is an emergent technology that either has to get easier and more accessible or fail to enter the mainstream. Its a nice change to have avatars in whacky clothes and hairstyles instead of Powerpint. My tweet that it needs to graduate from mediation through a keyboard raises the response that joysticks work as well. Wicked!
13.00 The Ascilite AGM reports another successful year and a healthy financial position. New Executive members have come on board and the prospects all look excellent. Rob Philips has a question!
14.00 A vendor presentation from The Learning Edge shows how to create a content rich (!) and integrated learning environment using the Pearson suite of products.
14.40 Glenda Cox, University of Cape Town, talks about sustaining innovations in educational technology from the perspective of the institutions innovators. The Centre for Educational Technology (CET) uses various mechanisms to support the individuals who drive the innovations so they don’t have to travel the hard road of the lone enthusiast, and the institutions achieves higher return on investment in start up grants. This is the same topical area I’m working with a group of ACODE reps on at the moment, so this is an opportunity to cast a wider net.
15.30 The first serious clash in my viewing schedule involves four competing streams: ‘Tinkerers, learning organizations and sustainable innovation’ from Deirdre Wilmott at Deakin University, ‘Transforming the teaching of science and engineering report writing’ featuring an ALTC (Australian Learning and Teaching Council) funded project from Helen Drury at Sydney University, ‘A scholarship programme for academic staff to develop exemplary online learning tasks’ from Tony Herrington (Curtin University) and colleagues a symposium on ‘Teachers, technology and design’ from Peter Goodyear and various colleagues. I’ll use the opportunity to read proceedings and meet with colleagues to discuss the sessions I can’t attend. I tend to favour the symposium format at conferences, as its generally more engaging.
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