The first RSC Wales e-learning conference for the work based learning sector, Embracing Innovation, took place on 25th March at the Village Hotel, Swansea.
Delegates travelled from all over Wales to be treated to some excellent presentations and workshops as well as being plied with copious amounts of coffee and snacks, not to mention the excellent lunch!
The day started with the inspiring Key Note speech, From VLE via PLE to SLN, by Jane Hart of the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies (www.C4LPT.co.uk) who described the journey from one-way passive e-learning to the utilization of Social Networking applications allowing socialisation and personalisation of learning.
Delegates were introduced to a wide range of software applications and communications platforms as well as some startling facts on how computers and other mobile technologies are being used by the modern learner. Within the next three years school leavers will never have known the World without the Internet!
The Web 2.0 workshop, which was facilitated by Swansea ITeC, gave delegates an opportunity to experience how Web 2.0 technologies are being used in a Work Based Learning setting, in particular, maximising the use of Blogs as an information sharing and general communication tool, both for learners and managers. Further examples were given of collaboration using shared online mind mapping tools and a free application that allowed you to collate images and text from web sites.
The e-portfolio workshop gave an opportunity for delegates to meet industry standard leaders who are involved in the development and supply of E-Portfolio systems specific to Work Based Learning. Structured in an open access environment, delegates were able to engage with a number of vendors, seek answers to key questions and make appointments for further consultation. Delegates particularly liked …“The excellent way in which the exhibitors were included as “workshops” and not the traditional “coffee break” time “to view”
The Accessibility strand was facilitated by Alistair McNaught from Techdis and concentrated on the plethora of tools available to support teaching and learning. The focus of the workshop was to present materials in a variety of formats thus enabling learners to choose whatever style suits them. Delgates found the “workshop was great some really good ideas for dynamic learning content that I am hoping will be very useful to us.”
The National Training Federation Wales used the Conference to introduce its newly developed Moodle to the membership and share with them their hopes and aspirations for future developments. Delegates actively participated in discussing the way forward in terms of communication and collaboration in order to raise effectiveness and quality.
You can view Presentations and Conference Information by visiting http://moodle.rsc-wales.ac.uk/embracinginnovation
AccessApps
Access Apps is an initiative supported by the JISC Regional Support Centres and JISC TechDis. It consists of over 50 open source and freeware Windows applications, running from a USB stick. AccessApps provides a range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as sensory, cognitive and physical difficulties.
All too often we hear stories of disaffected young people who appear to lack the motivation to learn, seeing it as not reflecting real life or their needs. The major strengths of Work Based Learning include it’s relevance to every day life and the opportunities it provides to young people to successfully take part in the world of work and reap all of the benefits that brings. The following article was supplied to me by the Military Preparation College and is an example of how relevant and contextualised learning can indeed change lives.
