by John A Finnis
Learning Technology: The Myths and Facts
This paper considers some of the major issues in the field of learning technology. It seeks to identify areas in which technology has greatest potential to contribute to the learning process, and also those areas in which the application of technology is inappropriate or detrimental.
Engaging employers: overcoming the barriers faced by small businesses (G049) - Guide 2 - Skills and Education network - part of the UK Learning and Skills Council.
July 2004
There are particular barriers to employer engagement in small businesses, but given the size of the sector, providers have a particular onus to respond to these requirements. This Guide 2 will explore these issues and provide practical advice on engaging small businesses
Resources for the following questions:
Where do I start? Background and context
What are the barriers? Issues for providers
What are the challenges? Overcoming the barriers
What are practical actions for providers? Learn from others' success
Where is the evidence? The literature explored
Where do I go next? Key organisations and resources
From the site:
So how does WebTeach work? The secret seems to be in adding structure to collaborative classroom activities.
"The seminar room is the hub of what goes on," Hewson says. "We've tried to give the interface visual clues with colour and indenting. You can see very quickly what's happening in the class."
"These tools are as good as the people who use them," Hewson says. "But it allows them to teach well and introduces them to techniques they might not have considered. It scaffolds teachers in what to do next. So what you do in the classroom that works well, you can still do online and it works well."
link to website
From a media release 2/2/04
"City & Guilds, the UK’s largest vocational awarding body, announced today plans to develop a national network of high street learning centres in partnership with Further Education colleges and other training providers.
Under the scheme, participating Further Education colleges will staff the centres and deliver the training whilst City & Guilds will provide a package of support services.
Initially, City & Guilds Local will focus on flexible IT training but will later introduce programmes in numeracy and literacy, employability skills and management training. Centres will offer a range of courses accredited by City & Guilds, Learndirect and other awarding bodies"
The Digital Convergence: Extending the Portfolio Model
By Gary Greenberg
This article explores the role of portfolios starting from the use of portfolios by artsits, and progresses through a discussion of digital portfolios and the many purposes they can serve covering three types of ePortfolios:
The showcase ePortfolio: organization occurs after the work has been created.
The structured ePortfolio: a predefined organization exists for work that is yet to be created.
The learning ePortfolio: organization of the work evolves as the work is created.
Links to institutions using portfolios in these varied ways are provided.
Opportunties offered by ePortfolios are supporting authentic assessment and lifelong learning.
by Penny Lunt Crosman
"On-demand training is the latest trend in e-learning. Companies using e-learning echnologies have found that long lectures don't cut it online. Short, targeted learning segments with simulation or how-to scenarios let employees take classes when they have time or when they need the help. It's far less disruptive than taking a week-long seminar."