"On the other hand they also stifle creativity and seriously inhibit
thinking "outside of the box"."
I'm at a loss to see how this can possibly happen simply because we want the
underlying (communication) technologies to talk to each other. Could Ken
help me out with this?
Steve: I would prefer standards issues to be aired here. They are an
integral part of the VLE debate whether you are a designer or an
implementer.
Nigel Peet
Director of ICT
South Cheshire College
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Smith [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 02 May 2002 09:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Standards-Compliance-Students
I feel that standards are a double edged sword. Yes they do allow people
toto work towards a common goal and share their experiences much more
easily. This is extremely important if we are to make content available as
quickly as possible. On the other hand they also stifle creativity and
seriously inhibit thinking "outside of the box". Probably the biggest
mistake is to try to enforce a standard before the pace of development has
levelled off. Just think where we would be if the old Microsoft MSX
standard had been successful, still using z80 processors.
Perhaps we should be looking at looser standards. Ones that allow a large
amount of leeway within a set framework. Take RS232c a very loose standard
protocol for serial transmission. Invented for the old Teletype machines in
the 1950s and still being used (although it is now dying out) on all our PCs
It survived this long by not being too restrictive.
Quoting Steve Molyneux <[log in to unmask]>:
> I must disagree. Standards are extremely important. Especially if we
> "the tax payer" are to get value for public funds spent on content and
> systems. This is exactly why interoperability is paramount. I feel
> there are a number of issues with equal validity. These include
> Pedagogy, Interoperability, Access (addressing disability) and
> multi-channel support.
>
> Maybe if colleagues feel it is a problem we should request a separate
> list managed by CETIS on the standards issue as that is exactly their
> domain.
>
> As one who is heavily involved in advising Government, Industry and
> Customers of learning technologies I would welcome it.
>
> What do colleagues think?
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andy Black [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 01 May 2002 09:54
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Standards-Compliance-Students
>
>
> Dear List
> I feel that our 'VLE' list is in danger of becoming the official
> 'Standards and Compliance' debate list. Surely, (apologies for
> repeating myself) at the end of the day, the only thing that really
> matters is whether or not students and teachers are using ICT to
> enhance their teaching and learning?
>
> Again I have to agree that 'it would be nice'
> to "Standardise" VLEs and tell vendors what to do when developing
> their products. However, I and many of you, live in the real (Virtual)
> world where commercialism rules and evolution of products is market
> driven. Instead of getting wrapped up in our own self inflicted
> 'issues' with compliance and standardisation, we should really be
> encouraging those colleagues who have had minimal exposure
> to these technologies, to have a go!
>
> Who are we anyway to impose 'standards' and
> demand 'compliance' when we are not the ONLY consumers of VLEs? Or are
> we once again, attempting to justify our own jobs whilst neglecting
> the 'real' end users - the students...
>
> Member of the Content Council and registered as an e- learning
> consultant. www.contentcouncil.co.uk
>
> Get your own zoom email - click here - http://www.zoom.co.uk/
>
> ***************** List information: ***************** Remember -
> replies go by default to the entire list. Access the list via the web
> on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
> The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at
> http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
> To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave
> vle
>
> ***************** List information: ***************** Remember -
> replies go by default to the entire list. Access the list via the web
> on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
> The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at
> http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?pagev
> To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave
> vle
>
Ken Smith
I.L.T. Specialist
JISC RSC - SE
Office 01189 675451
Mobile: 07814023986
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
***************** List information: *****************
Remember - replies go by default to the entire list.
Access the list via the web on http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/vle.html
The Ferl VLE Focus Area is at http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?page=76
To unsubscribe, email [log in to unmask] with the message: leave vle
|