Merry Christmas

Just an e-Christmas message for 2011.
The past month has been an adventure in e-learning. I have spent an enormous time exploring LMS (Moodle), blogs, wikis and podcasting! My learning seems to be spasmodic, as I am continually investigating and finding solutions for individuals as they build their own personal space online. While this is not a bad thing, I am constantly feeling that the gaps are larger than the knowledge! Well I suppose that I have to accept that with the ever changing online tools that I won't be able to know it all! I intend to spend the Christmas break in the virtual online world, relaxing and playing games.

e-Portfolio adventures

Last week I attended the e-Portfolio Australia Conference in Perth (17th & 18th October). Such a rewarding experience with the keynote speaker Kathleen Blake Yancey from Florida State University presenting on - Making learning visible, making differences in learning: The contributions of electronic portfolios. Her presentation was a positive and innovative insight into the develop of students' attitudes and approaches to e-Portfolios and learning. Where to start when investigating all the articles and books written by Kathleen? Here is a start Technology Ecology & Sustainability
My contribution to the conference was to present a case study on assessment challenges using e-Portfolios with Certificate IV Liberal Arts group. My findings made a comparison with semester 1 assessment techniques and the use of reflective writing and authentication of knowledge in semester 2. The group made good progress with e-learning technology but also highlighted the gap in approaches to developing an independent learner. Still some way to go!

Networking

The past 5 weeks have been an explosion of eLearning....so much happens inthe smallest space of time. I am now coming to the end of TDC workshops and have gain an enormous wealth of knowledge but more importantly the confidence to test and try new ways.
I have continued to work through the maze of tools and set about in the past 3 weeks to train and coach Learner Support staff in the use of Blackboard Collaborate. It is reassuring to know that once each person overcomes the hurdle of connecting and testing the link that they are ready to hold of the microphone! Love it.
I have also made my pledge to the EEL society (Energetic E Learning!). Just a group I made up tonight! Must admit I am the only member and considering I have no followers of my blog that at least I can explore the internet for adventures in eLearning!
Tomorrow brings another adventure in eLearning.

eLearning tools

I'm back! I have been distracted and noticed that e Learning is taking off. I have really seen the interest shift into technology.
I have been attending the Telematics Digital Learning Network which has been inspiring. The tools that I have already used has snowballed into other projects. i have been able to implement the tools with the DLA group using MP3 files, Yeti, Audacity and Flip camera for video. Will keep you posted.

Learn@Lunch

Hello. Time has flown and I am being flown to Adelaide! Yes I am away for our Friday session and feel quite disappointed that I am not able to catch up with you all. I do hope that you have had some fun with your wikis. So what have we achieved?
David is probably enjoying his time playing with his new iPad! So how has time changedthe simple way of reading a book? We now have the advantage of reading books through technology that lets you image that you are turning the pages! What ever happen to that fasincation of smelling the paper. Do you remember that metho smell when the teacher ran off notes? Can we get that same realism with this new iPad?
So what about the creativity of books and the iPad? What will stop the work being copied and downloaded, passed off simply as another person's work. This happened quite easily with music and movies. What will stop this happening now with the printed word and anything that is published as a book. How far will this go? Do we learn any better through this new technology? Arrrr. .. just a few things to think about.

Wikis....

Image: Andrew (Megan) Laing The definition of 'wiki' is Hawaiian for .... fast.

Hello everyone. Enjoy the wiki ride....
My understanding of a wiki is that it functions through pages linked to each other. The word 'wiki' itself does suit the function, as to start up and create pages takes less than 30 minutes. Let's continue the 'wiki' ride this week. I have set up my gmail calendar and fed this into the home page. Live up dates for the learners. I have also tested my voice ... no not singing but up-loaded an mp3 file. Lets try this on Friday.

Wiki visit

Hello everyone. Here is the wiki address: http://learnforlearning.wikispaces.com/