Association for Learning Technology
Fortnightly news digest 78, 12 January 2005

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Deadline for next issue: Tuesday 25 January 2005

In this issue:
1. Association news
2. Association events
3. Calls for papers
4. Other events
5. News
6. Invitations to tender
7. Vacancies

1. Association news

1.1 ALT-N to go online
An important development for 2005 will be a new version of our
quarterly newsletter, ALT-N, published in html format. We plan to
keep a shorter version of ALT-N in print form for distribution in the
normal way, but publish longer articles, case studies, etc, in the
online version. If you have any queries about this, please contact
the Editor, Susi Peacock ([log in to unmask]) or myself
([log in to unmask]).

1.2 ALT-N Deputy editor vacancies
Two deputy editors are sought to assist the Editor with commissioning
and editing articles for ALT-N.
Deadline for applications is 28 January. For more details go to
http://www.alt.ac.uk/docs/deputy_editor_altn_2005.pdf

2. Association events

2.1 Moodle II – Groups, Wikis and Quizzes
Exploring the advanced tools within Moodle
16 February 2005, 0930 - 1530
King's College, London
Presenters: Sonja Grussendorf and Dr Mira Vogel, Goldsmiths, London
Cost: £85 ALT members, £150 non-members
The workshop will explore many of the unique and advanced features of
the Moodle environment and give participants the opportunity to
‘Moodle’ from a student and teaching perspective. The workshop will
not be suitable for beginners.
http://www.alt.ac.uk/workshops.php

2.2 IT won't work here!
An ALT / JISCinfoNET / JISC Development workshop
24 February 2005, 0930-1600
Orange Studio, Birmingham
Cost: £70
A workshop to explore the cultural issues involved in connecting
learners and institutions, and how to overcome traditional barriers
to progress with e-learning. Thinktank sessions will discuss
practical solutions to problems.
Presenters include: Paul Bailey (JISC), Chris Cobb (LSE), Sal Cooke
(TechDis), Gill Ferrell (JISCinfoNet), Doug Gowan (Open Learning
Partnership), Bob Sharpe (University of Plymouth),  Mark Stiles
(University of Staffordshire), Tony Toole (Coleg Sir Gar).
Booking deadline: 10 February 2005
http://www.alt.ac.uk/workshop_detail.php?e=174

2.3 Reflective learning, future thinking: ALT Spring conference and
research seminar
Conference: 31 March 2005, Dublin Institute of Technology
Research seminar: 1 April 2005, Trinity College Dublin
Speakers include: Lorraine Stefani (Auckland University, New
Zealand), John Cook (LTRI, London Metropolitan University), Allison
Littlejohn and Lou McGill (University of Strathclyde), Vinnie Wade
(Trinity College Dublin).
The conference will cover:
* e-portfolios and lifelong learning records
* personal development planning and diploma supplements
* digital repositories and archives
* ubiquitous computing and informal learning
There will be plenary sessions and discussion workshops to allow
plenty of time for reflection on the key issues.
Places will be limited.
http://www.alt.ac.uk/conferences.php

2.4 ALT-C 2005: second call for papers
Exploring the frontiers of e-learning: borders, outposts and
migration
6-8 September 2005, Manchester, UK
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2005
Keynote speakers: Alan Gilbert, Carol Twigg, Etienne Wenger
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2005/keynotes.html
Deadlines:
Papers and abstracts
- Last date for research papers: 14 February 2005
- Last date for other streams: 28 February 2005
Booking by presenters
- Main presenter to book by: 10 June 2005
- All other presenters to book by: 30 June 2005
http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2005/academic.html

3. Calls for papers

3.1 Special Issue of the British Journal of Educational Technology on
Innovation in e-Learning: Lessons to be Learned
Notification of intention to submit: 15 January 2005.
Deadline for submissions: 18 February 2005.
Contact Maggie McPherson [log in to unmask] or Julie
Coultas [log in to unmask]

3.2 University of Greenwich 3rd one-day regional conference on
eLearning
Maritime Greenwich Campus, London, Wednesday 15 June 2005.
Deadline for receipt of proposals: Monday 28 February 2005.
http://www.gre.ac.uk/e-conference

4. Other events

4.1 e.learning age seminars 2005 in collaboration with The eLearning
Network
Novotel London West, Hammersmith
Supporting e-learners, Thursday 20th January.
Blending learning – a how-to guide, Tuesday 22nd February.
Making IT systems and learning work together, Tuesday 15th March.
15% discount available to ALT members; corporate discount - register
4 delegates for the price of 3, larger group discounts also can be
negotiated.
http://www.elearningage.co.uk/go2.html

4.2 The Learning Lab in collaboration with the Centre for Learning &
Teaching at the University of Wolverhampton
Forthcoming monthly seminars:
Futures thinking and innovation: Wednesday 9th February.
e-Learning: a tool for improving school performance: Wednesday 16th
March.
Challenging traditional models of assessment: Wednesday 20th April.
What makes e-Learning e-ffective: Wednesday 18th May.
Personalised e-Learning for the masses: vision or reality: Wednesday
15th June.
Seminars cost £60 per person per day, inclusive of refreshments and
lunch, all located at The Learning Lab, Telford.
http://www.learninglab.org.uk

5. News

5.1 Ted's Smith's 2005 state of e-learning survey
Contribute to this survey and receive a free copy of the report.
Deadline 10 Febuary.
http://infopoll.net/live/surveys/s27117.htm

5.2 Creating an E-learning Strategy for Social Care in England
ALT members are invited to complete a questionnaire by 31 January
2005 at
http://www.elfs.org.uk

5.3 From the SURF Edusite
Teemu Leinonen's column: E-learning is dead. Long live learning!
http://www.edusite.nl/edusite/agenda/13987

5.4 Higher Education Academy announces the results of the election of
Registered Practitioners to the Council
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/news/news_1984.htm

5.5 Five Successful Publishers Announced under JISC's Open Access
Programme
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=pr_successful_publishers_060105

6. Invitations to tender

6.1 Higher Education Academy Research projects: Call for expressions
of interest
... to support evidence-based approaches to policy and practice and
to pursue a scholarly, research-driven agenda to improve the quality
of the student experience... Projects must address one (or more) of
13 themes considered by the Academy as being of particular relevance
to its aims. The duration of projects will normally be one year. The
indicative level of funding is £25,000, although in exceptional
circumstances a larger grant may be made available, up to an absolute
maximum of £50,000.
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/researchprojects.htm

6.2 JISC ITT: JISC Technology Observatory … for UK Further and Higher
Education.
The Technology Observatory will provide JISC with an overview of the
technological environment. The Observatory will be a resource for
both the JISC and its wider community in providing an efficient and
cost effective way for the JISC community to keep abreast of
developments in emerging technologies and standards and the
implications of these developments for policy and strategy. Requests
to Participate must be received by 13:00 hours GMT on Monday 14th
February 2005. It is envisaged that the full Invitation to Tender for
the Service will be distributed to successful candidates by Friday
25th February 2005.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/index.cfm?name=funding_techobservatory

6.3 Social care and e-learning survey
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), the organisation
responsible for developing and promoting good practice in social
care, and Topss England, the employer-led strategic workforce
development body for social care, want to learn more about how ready
the social care sector is to use e-learning. The survey should take a
broad sample from the sector and attempt to be a definitive
evaluation of the e-learning infrastructure and content being used in
social care at the moment. The survey will be undertaken from April
2005 with the final report due in December 2005. The survey is funded
by SCIE. Up to £85,000 is available for the work. Submissions are due
by 11 March 2005.
Visit http://www.scie.org.uk and click on the commissions link or
contact Gavin Nettleton, E-learning Development Manager at
[log in to unmask]  or on 020 70897108.

7. Vacancies

7.1 School of Education, University of Nottingham
Research Associate/Fellow (Part-time) to work on a HEFCE-funded
national project 'Virtual Resources for Online Research Training' (V-
ResORT).
Closing date: 21st January 2005
http://jobs.ac.uk/jobfiles/IV786.html

7.2 OKOnline Estate Skills Partnership Project
Lambeth, London
ICT Learning Co-ordinator
Ref: DHS/317
Closing date: 21 January 2005
http://www.lambeth.gov.uk

7.3 Tower Hamlets City Learning Centre, London
Education ICT Consultant
Ref: 9512JAN013
Closing date: 28 January 2005
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

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The digest returns on 26 January 2005. All news, jobs, events, etc,
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Regards
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 2005, 6-8 September, Manchester, UK
  http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2005

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