Collaborating Online

Kevin Thompson

15 February 2007, 10am-1pm Cost: Free

This presentation looked at general trends in the use of technologies in learning environments and showed how collaboration in learning is key. It focused on how on-line learning is changing to become more participative than receptive - collaborative rather than content-based - and how the Internet can maximize opportunities for education to groups previously excluded. Online tools such as Blogs, Wikis, email, Instant chat and First Class communities can all be used to enhance the learning experience. This seminar included examples from some of Ultralab’s recent projects such as: (1) Ultraversity: a content-free on-line degree for full time workers. (2) Heads Together: how groups of professionals (in this case Head teachers in Scotland) can benefit from online community. (3) eViva use of mobile technology for assessment. (4) mLearning: use of mobile technology for learning with disaffected youngsters.

Aims and Objectives

• To highlight general trends in the use of technologies in learning.
• To provide examples increasingly popular online tools adapted for educational use.
• To showcase some of Ultralab's recent projects using technology within learning.

Audience

Formal education professionals, community learning professionals, teachers, those involved in learning in informal environments such as parks, museums, etc.

Biography

Kevin worked in the Scottish Secondary Sector in a variety of teaching and Management posts for 20 years with short secondments to Fife Council, industry and SEED. His background is in Chemistry and Computer Science specialising in Education and technology. He has had a variety of Computing books published. Kevin joined Ultralab – the research department of Anglia Ruskin University - in 1998 to work on Tesco Schoolnet 2000 – the flagship millennium project, with remit for North of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. He was the Scottish Consultant on Glasgow’s “not school” pilot for disaffected youngsters and one of the team who set up ‘Talking Heads” the DFES online community pilot for Head teachers. He was invited by SEED to establish a pilot community for Scottish Head-teachers – Heads Together- in 2002. This is now a thriving online community run by Learning and Teaching Scotland and Kevin continues to act as consultant. He is currently working on the innovative Ultraversity project – an online, content free degree for full time workers. His main interests are in technology for learning and online community.