Dear Members ALT news digest #39 In this issue: 1. Welcome to new members 2. ALT news 3. ALT events 4. Other events 5. Other news ============================================ 1. Welcome to new members We are pleased to announce that the following organisations have joined ALT: Colleges/Universities: Leyton Sixth Form College http://www.leyton.ac.uk University of Hull http://www.hull.ac.uk - and to complete the truncated URL from Digest no 37: University of Westminster http://www.westminster.ac.uk Corporate members: Learning & Skills Council http://www.lsc.gov.uk ----------------------------------- 2. ALT news 2.1 Staff news Sadly, Helen Harwood, Programmes Manager, is leaving ALT on 30 May. Helen is taking up a position with BMS World Mission. We wish her the best of luck in her new job. ------ 2.2 Advertising your vacancies Remember - advertising in the ALT digest is FREE! Send us your learning technology vacancies and reach the parts that other publications never reach... Email to [log in to unmask] (as text in body of email, please). ----------------------------------- 3. ALT events To book these events go to http://www.alt.ac.uk or contact [log in to unmask] 3.1 Effective online content development and learner support A one-day focus group from ALT FREE to ALT members Date: 17 June 2003 Time: 09:45-15:00 Venue: MDC Learning Systems, Leith, Edinburgh Booking deadline: 3 June 2003 MDC are seeking to introduce the wider elearning community to their tools and approaches, and to gauge the reaction of the wider elearning community. You can find out more about MDC at http://www.mdconline.co.uk Topics to be covered: * Capturing learning techniques using engaging interactive media * Identifying the types of content suitable for online learning * Developing the skills to capture the teaching and delivery methods * Using the Internet to develop and deliver online courses * Improving the motivation of the learner * Mentoring the learner online * Building the learning environment around the learner Expected outcomes: * Improved understanding of how to effectively develop online material that captures teaching and learning * Understanding of how to mentor online * Managing Knowledge online to support the learner * Integrating online learning with traditional methods Who should attend: * Educators responsible for flexible delivery of training and education * IT people who are selecting learning management systems * Those who are involved in the HR and training function who wish to make training more flexible and accessible and cost effective Presenters: Jim Robson, Scottish Fire Service College. Dr Ken Thomson, Falkirk College. Travel and accommodation: For directions to MDC, please see map at http://www.mdconline.co.uk/map ------ 3.2 Getting the picture: accessing and using moving images and sound for HE and FE A one-day workshop from ALT Date: 27 June 2003 Time: 1000 -1600 Venue: Glasgow Caledonian University Cost: Stlg 80 (ALT members), stlg 130 (non-members) Booking deadline: 13 June 2003 The increasing development of moving pictures and sound (also known as time-based media) through digital libraries, collections, custom-designed and built solutions as well as in-house productions, promises an exciting opportunity to integrate time- based media into mainstream elearning. It is essential to understand the users' experiences and requirements, and the issues and barriers preventing its use through research and evaluation. The purpose of the workshop is to explore collectively the pedagogic potential of using video and audio, and to investigate how best we can enhance access and provide services to support the use of these resources in HE and FE. The workshop will include case studies, examples of the use of video in Health and Sports Sciences and audio collections of traditional Scottish music, as well as JISC current thinking, strategies and plans for time-based media content development and delivery through a new Portal. Topics to be covered: The workshop will cover a range of themes including: * Users experiences of using and developing time-based media * The educational value of moving pictures and sound * The students' experiences of using video and audio * Users' requirements for a time-based media Portal * JISC current thinking on Portal development Note: this is NOT a technical 'How to' workshop. Expected outcomes: The delegates will be able to engage actively with the presenters' research and practical experiences of using, developing and managing time-based media resources. The expected outcomes are: * to increase the awareness of the pedagogical potential for using moving images and sound in HE and FE * to identify the needs and requirements from the users for the provision and development of time-based media collections and Portals * to provide an opportunity for sharing practice and user community building Who should attend: The workshop will be particularly useful for teaching staff, users, researchers, practitioners and developers, with an interest in the use and provision of moving images and sound for HE and FE. The presenters: Chris Awre, Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC). Mireia Asensio, CSALT, Educational Research, Lancaster University. Stevie Barrett, RSAMD, Glasgow University. Valerie Cooper, School of Health Sciences , Robert Gordon University. Jeremy Atkinson, Learning Resources, The University of Glamorgan, and Chair of JISC's Moving Pictures & Sound Working Group. Travel and accommodation: For directions to the university, please visit http://www.gcal.ac.uk/about/citycampus.htm ----------------------------------- 4. Other events 4.1 LOCATING MOVING IMAGE ARCHIVES AND FOOTAGE SOURCES 3rd June 2003 The BUFVC, 77 Wells Street, London W1 This course is designed to give advice to those undertaking film and television research for the first time either for film and television production or for academic study. It will also aid librarians seeking to reference programmes and clips for use in teaching. Cost per person, per course, including light lunch and refreshments: £160 (£136.17 + VAT); member's rate £100.00 (£85.11 + VAT). For more information or to book for this course see website: http://www.bufvc.ac.uk/courses/index.html ------ 4.2 JISC FRAMEWORK FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATING USER BEHAVIOUR JUBILEE* and JUSTEIS** Projects - Research into Practice A FREE one-day conference Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham 10th June 2003 A conference of interest to HE and FE senior managers, library practitioners, academics, researchers and JISC committee members. Keynote speakers include: David House (Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Brighton; Chair of the JISC Committee on Awareness, Liaison and Training); and Prof. Jenny Rowley (Head of School of Management and Social Sciences, Edge Hill College). For more information on the programme please access: http://is.northumbria.ac.uk/imri/rarea/rm/style3.htm * JUBILEE - JISC User Behaviour in Information Seeking: Longitudinal Evaluation of Electronic Information Services, Northumbria University, Information Management Research Institute (IMRI) **JUSTEIS - JISC Usage Surveys: Trends in Electronic Information Service, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Department of Information Studies ------ 4.3 ICT Research Network Becta Annual Research Conference 13 June 2003 Booking is now open for the third annual Becta Research conference to be held on Friday 13th June 2003 at the TUC Congress Centre, London. The theme of the conference will be 'Proving Effective Practice with ICT'. To find out more about the conference go to: http://www.becta.org.uk/research/conference2003/index.cfm ------ 4.4 EduServ Grants Programme Events CHEST, in association with TechDis, are holding eight seminars across the UK in June and July to launch the latest software site licence agreements negotiated as part of the EduServ Grants Programme. The EduServ Grants Programme has fully funded the provision of site licences for LIFT and MindGenius at no charge to all higher and further education establishments within the UK and Republic of Ireland. This represents a substantial potential saving for each participating site. These seminars will allow delegates to discover how best to implement and use LIFT and MindGenius Education software within establishments. Both products are particularly useful resources for organisations who must comply with the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA). The calendar for these events is as follows: Monday 16 June, Belfast Monday 23 June, Manchester Tuesday 24 June, Birmingham Thursday 26 June, Cardiff Monday 30 June, York Tuesday 1 July, Edinburgh Monday 7 July, London Thursday 10 July, Plymouth Further details of these events can be found at http://www.techdis.ac.uk/chest If you require any further information, please contact [log in to unmask] ------ 4.5 The Plagiarism Advisory Service (www.jiscpas.ac.uk) workshop "Plagiarism: Prevention, Practice and Policies" Friday 20 June 2003, 9:45 to 13:00 Telford College, Edinburgh The workshop is open to both Further Education and Higher Education members of staff involved in learning and teaching support activities. The workshop aims to highlight the impact of technology upon plagiarism and promote a holistic strategy to plagiarism prevention. Anticipated outcomes of the workshop will be: *An appreciation of the impact that technology has had upon the incidence of suspected plagiarism *Consideration of the strategies available to staff to discourage plagiarism *An introduction to the national Plagiarism Detection Service *Consideration of the requirements of an institutional plagiarism policy There will be no charge for the workshop. However, attendees must be from JISC-funded institutions. If you have any queries about the workshop please contact [log in to unmask] You can book online at http://www.rsc-ne-scotland.ac.uk/booking.html ------ 4.6 DIVERSE conference on video and videoconferencing June 30 - July 2, 2003 University of Derby, England. The full schedule can now be explored on the website, and you can register online: http://www.derby.ac.uk/diverse/ This is the leading international conference on all aspects of video in higher education. It is not a conference for advanced technical detail on the latest gizmo, but for those interested in the application of video and videoconferencing to teaching, learning and research, whether from the perspective of academic users or support staff. ------ 4.7 ELearnChina Conference 2003 July 2003 Edinburgh E-Learning, Knowledge Management, Training, and Localisation for the Chinese Market [biggest growth area for these types of product at the moment]. Please see http://www.chinaconferenceguide.com Special conference discount available from the web site [£400 GBP Discount on original rate]. Contact: [log in to unmask] ------ 4.8 ASCILITE2003 Conference 7-10 December 2003 Adelaide, Australia http://www.adelaide.edu.au/ascilite2003 Papers due (full, concise and workshops) - July 30, 2003. Notification of acceptance (full, concise and workshops) - August 31, 2003. Poster summaries due - August 31, 2003. Notification of acceptance (posters only) - Mid-September, 2003. Proceedings file due - September 30, 2003. If you would like to present a Workshop on Sunday 7 December (either full-day or half-day) then please contact one of the Co-conveners below by July 30, 2003 with the following details: Length of workshop (half-day or full-day). Intended audience and degree of expertise required by workshop participants. Clear statement of the objectives of the workshop. A detailed description of the workshop format including activities workshop participants will be expected to engage in. A summary of the workshop presenter's qualifications. ------ 4.9 ICCE 2003 Second call for proposals Short papers, Posters, Tutorials, Panels and Roundtables proposals are due on 5 June 2003. Details of Submission Guides and Procedures are located at http://www.icce03.org/paper.htm ---------------------------------- 5. Other news 5.1 Portal Studies (Library and Institution-wide) INVITATION TO TENDER The JISC wishes to commission work in the area of portals development in Further and Higher Education. The work concerns portals that have been developed on an institutionally-wide basis or focused on library resources. This invitation to tender invites proposals in two areas: A) a survey and review of further and higher education library- orientated portals; B) a number of case studies of portal implementation in further and higher education Tenders should be submitted no later than noon on Wednesday 18th June 2003. Further information about the proposed studies and how to bid can be found at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=funding_16_03 ------ 5.2 Study to Assess Long-term Retention and Re-use of e-Learning Objects and Materials The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) wishes to commission a study on long-term retention and re-use for e-Learning Objects and Materials. This study is part of the implementation of the JISC Continuing Access and Digital Preservation Strategy 2002-5 and its support for e-learning programmes. Tenders should be submitted to Nike Holmes in the JISC Executive by 12 noon on Monday 16th June 2003. The study should be undertaken in the period July 03 - January 04. Funding of £25,000 - £30,000 (plus VAT where charged) is available for the study. Further details about the study and how to bid can be found at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=funding_14_03 ------ 5.3 JISC Circular 04/03: Calls for bids to host a Grid infrastructure testbed facility for the UK academic community Bids are sought from UK HE institutions to host components of a Grid infrastructure testbed facility. The Grid is a new technology for linking computers, data resources, scientific instruments and visualisation environments using high bandwidth networks. It is initially finding application in advanced scientific research projects as part of the UK e-Science programme. The prototype UK Grid links resources at all the main e-Science Centres. The facility will comprise four computing clusters (two compute- intensive and two data-intensive clusters) for installation on the UK e-Science Grid. It is intended to locate the facility over four different sites, with CCLRC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory hosting one data cluster and acting as 'lead site' to address management issues. This call invites bids to host the other 3 clusters. The call is likely to be of interest only to those HEIs currently involved in Grid activities. The computing clusters are being procured by CCLRC, on behalf of the JISC, under EU procurement procedures. Requirements of Host Sites: If potential bidders are unsure about whether their host institution has 1 Gbps network access, they should contact: Henry Hughes SuperJANET Development Manager UKERNA [log in to unmask] Submission of Proposals: Bids should be a maximum of ten A4 pages, including a one-page cover sheet stating the name of the bidding site, and giving contact details for the person leading the bid. Bids must be accompanied by a letter of support from a senior representative of the institution. The revised circular can be found at http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=circular_4_03. The deadline for the submission of proposals is 12 noon on 27 June 2003. ------ 5.4 JISC CIRCULAR 5/03: Developing the Archives Hub - Further call for content The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) has published the above JISC Circular to the UK FE and HE community. The Archives Hub service (http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk) allows users, ranging from the novice to the experienced researcher, online access to descriptions of archival collections in the UK higher and further education sectors. This circular invites proposals from institutions or consortia to develop and contribute content to the Archives Hub service. Funding is available for descriptions of archive collections and manuscripts for which institutions have curatorial responsibility and which are made available to researchers. Funding for these descriptions is available in the 2003-04 AY and 2004-05 AY. The closing date for receipt of proposals is 12 noon on Wednesday 2nd July 2003. An electronic copy of this invitation can be found at http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=circular_5_03 ------ 5.5 JISC RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME Successful bids under this JISC Programme have been announced and individual projects will be completed by December 2003. Although focussed on records management and digital preservation the issues addressed in the programme and individual projects are likely to be of wider interest. The aim of this programme is to help both FE and HE institutions to implement institutional records management programmes that will meet the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and conform to established good practice for the management of records and digital assets throughout their lifecycle. This programme builds upon several existing JISC initiatives, especially the Study of the Records Lifecycle <http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=recordsman_papers_cycle> and the creation of the Model Action Plan <http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=reports_modelaction> for Achieving Compliance with the Lord Chancellor's Code of Practice on Records Management. A core theme of the programme is embedding theoretical models of good practice within the community by drawing on the experience of actual institutions. The studies and initiatives being funded are intended to help raise the profile of records management within the community and to provide practical advise and guidance as to how institutions should begin or further develop their own institutional programmes. The studies and initiatives are intended to achieve this by addressing this issue at a variety of levels, from strategic planning to practical training for staff. It is also intended that the range of initiatives in this programme will be of relevance and practical value to all staff employed by FE and HE institutions who have responsibility for managing records, professionally trained or otherwise. Further information on the programme and links to descriptions of individual projects can be found at: http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=programme_supporting_irm ------ 5.6 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MONITOR Are you working on R & D in e-Learning, technology-supported learning, m-learning, learning technologies or educational technology innovation? Are you aiming to support education and training in rural areas? Do you have a project, product, device or system nearing completion, ready to publish or about to come to market? The National ICT Research Centre is supported by the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and is tasked with briefing policy- makers and analysts with news of relevant developments. The Centre regularly produces a digest of these developments. To contribute your news, please go to http://www.learninglab.org.uk/researchcentre/tw_research_upload.asp If you have any queries about this service, please contact John Traxler ([log in to unmask]). To learn more about the Centre's projects, go to http://www.learninglab.org.uk/researchcentre ------ 5.7 Call for papers, Peer-reviewed journal Educational Media International Special Issue Publishing date: March 2004 Guest editors: Geraldine Lefoe [log in to unmask] Rebecca Albury [log in to unmask] University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia. Distributed Learning Environments: the convergence of distance and campus-based learning Recent trends in education have produced a blurring of boundaries between face-to-face and distance education, as teaching, delivery methods, and resources once used only for one area are now used to support learning in both. A Distributed Learning Environment takes the best of both worlds and is referred to in the literature as mixed- mode, blended or flexible learning environments. It involves the combination of reduced face-to-face teaching with components supported by educational technologies, such as web-based environments, CD-ROM or print-based resources, and may include other technologies such as videoconferencing and audio conferencing. Sub-themes may include but are not restricted to: Changing environments for teaching and learning Impact of technology on teaching and learning Institutional contexts for distributed learning Academic and student roles Staff development for new learning environments Evaluation methods and models for distributed learning New roles for support staff Educational Media International can be viewed online at http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/online/0952-3987.html Instructions for authors are available: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/authors/r-authors/emiauth.html Key dates: Short abstracts (up to 500 words) due Friday 22nd August 2003 Full papers due Friday 31st October 2003 Changes based on peer reviews to be re-submitted by December 19th, 2003 Please forward abstracts to Geraldine Lefoe [log in to unmask] by August 22nd 2003. Geraldine Lefoe CEDIR University of Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia. 61 2 42 213193 (phone) 61 2 42 258312 (fax) http://cedir.uow.edu.au ------ 5.8 Society for Applied Learning Technology® Spring SALT® Newsletter The 2003 Spring issue of the quarterly SALT® Newsletter is now available. Includes information regarding the upcoming SALT® sponsored Interactive Learning Technologies conference in Arlington, Virginia To obtain additional information about SALT®, follow the links below or visit the SALT web site at http://www.salt.org/ ------ 5.9 Interactions, the web journal for e-learning at Warwick - is now available: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/ETS/interactions/ This term's issue takes the theme of E-Tutoring: http://www.warwick.ac.uk/ETS/interactions/vol7no2/ E-tutoring can be defined as teaching, support, management and assessment of students on programmes of study that involve a significant use of online technologies. There are significant distinctions to online learning to traditional teaching in terms of time, distance and the specific technologies adopted all of which have implications for teaching staff. Development of learning materials and activities, interactions with students and response to learners' needs online can be very different than in classroom-based teaching. This is not just relevant to distance learning courses but is particularly crucial to 'blended learning' where classroom and online activities must be integrated in ways that allows them to deliver learning as a coherent and effective whole. ------ 5.10 British Universities Film & Video Council News Online - can be found at: http://www.bufvc.ac.uk/news/ News Items: * ERA/BUFVC Survey of Online Delivery of Resource Material Via VLEs and Similar Systems * TRILT-talk * The Grierson Forum: HOW WE MADE FELTHAM SING, 3 July 2003 ----------------------------------- The digest returns on 11 June. All notices, jobs, news, etc to [log in to unmask] by 10 June, please. Best wishes Rhonda Rhonda Riachi, Director Association for Learning Technology Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1865 484125 Fax: +44 (0)1865 484165 Email: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.alt.ac.uk/ Registered Charity Number: 1063519 ALT-C 2003: Communities of practice, 8-10 Sept 2003 Tenth anniversary conference: www.shef.ac.uk/alt/