HEFCW has recently announced that it is providing funding, through JISC, to assist institutions in meeting strategic concerns in enhancing learning and teaching through the use of technology, building on, and learning from, the HEFCW-funded Gwella Programme. Information has been sent to Pro Vice-Chancellors for Learning and Teaching, or their equivalents, in Higher Education institutions. (Source: HEFCW February 2010 Newsletter)

If you are interested in technologies for inclusion you may like to join in the next JISC Techdis online HE update on Friday 19 March at 13.30, repeated on Monday 22 March at 15.00. These JISC Techdis HE updates were originally designed for Regional Support Centres and Academy staff to find out about new tools and tips about inclusive technologies and free Techdis services. They’ve been so useful that they are now open to all interested colleagues.

The events are online, last 30-60 mins, and use the Instant Presenter webinar system which is very straightfoward to join in. During the session you will be able to follow a short presentation and ask questions via online text chat.

Further details are here:

www.instantpresenter.com/techdisonline78

No special software or equipment is required, though a headset will be useful. There is no need to book in advance. Looking forward to seeing some of you online at one of the appointed times!

PS JISC Techdis are also running a series of “Xerte Fridays” – Instant Presenter sessions about the accessible learning object creation tool Xerte, developed at University of Nottingham. These range from introductory to more specialised and you can find out more at http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=3_28_3

If you’ve missed earlier sessions (I recommend the Introductory one for complete beginners) then recordings are  available from the above link.