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The Making e-Technology work for you online conference, held in June, took participants on a guided tour through a wealth of emerging technologies. The conference, hosted by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), attracted more than 600 registrations and record participation in all sessions. The event featured 10 interactive web conferencing and informal networking sessions aimed at encouraging the use of new generation technology in education and training. Recordings of selected sessions are now available: Jane Hart, founder of the Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies website, dialled in from the United Kingdom to lead 64 participants through the fast-paced world of social media. Jane explained how social media tools can add value to teaching and training by facilitating the sharing of links, ideas and resources and by encouraging conversations. Familiar tools such as Twitter, Facebook and Moodle were profiled, and participants were also introduced to less known collaborative sites including Wallwisher, Edistorm and Prezi. Sue Hickton, Strategic Learning Curve Director, ran a highly interactive, participant-driven session which used a ‘choose your own adventure’ format to introduce a range of new technologies. Nearly 80 participants answered a series of multiple choice questions, allowing Sue to determine the types of gadgets she would profile. New generation gadgets such as digital pens and video recording devices were reviewed and demonstrated, and advancements in augmented reality were discussed. The Flip MinoHD video recorder and Livescribe digital pen proved favourites among participants, due to their capacity to improve online classes and group work by instantly transmitting information from the trainer’s location straight to the screens of learners. Allison Miller, the Framework’s E-portfolios Business Manager facilitated a popular session with 111 participants, highlighting how e-portfolios can develop and sustain lifelong learning. Allison discussed the different ways technology encourages learning in non-traditional ways, eg through digital stories, online conversations, visual media and blogs. Using three examples from the 2009 E-portfolios implementation trials, Allison demonstrated how learners using an e-portfolio progressed more quickly through their course compared to learners who received traditional classroom delivery. Learners also reported an increase in their knowledge of and experience with online technologies. Elluminate recordings of all conference sessions are now available. Each recording contains links to resources and/or slides used during the presentation. The next online conference is scheduled for 3-4 November 2010. More information will be announced closer to the time. The Framework also runs monthly free web conferencing sessions called e-Gems. The e-Gems series are unique learning and networking opportunities for people working in the vocational education and training and business sectors. Held regularly throughout 2010, e-Gems web conferences are free and require no registration. » Click here to comment on this article >> Click here to forward this article >> Click here to go back to newsletter |
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