Join Med-e-Tel 2010 and actively participate in the educational and information program of seminars, demonstrations and interactive panel discussions on ehealth, telemedicine and ICT applications in medicine and healthcare. Supported by a wide range of national and international associations and institutions, this three day meeting and networking event brings together stakeholders and leading experts from around the world to present and share recent achievements and developments in the field. Med-e-Tel is also accredited to give up to 18 hours of CME (Continuing Medical Education) for medical professionals. Abstract submission deadline is 31 December 2009.

The 5th Plymouth e-Learning Conference will examine the theme of e-learning in a time of change, and will challenge notions of traditional boundaries, learning spaces and roles. We will focus on new practices, new technologies, new environments and new learning. There will be primary, secondary and tertiary education threads. We invite papers on the digital divide, e-learning methods and case studies, mobile and pervasive technologies, digital games, multi-user virtual environments, informal learning, new classroom technologies (PDAs interactive whiteboards, etc), personal learning environments, visual media (videoconference, digital photography), e-portfolios and social software (wikis, blogs, podcasting, etc).

"This article defines 'community' for educators and proceed to examine fundamental issues around new theories and practice for constructing learning communities. Our concept of community asks the reader not to consider the shape of institutions or "schools" that exist today, but to ponder some possible shapes for (virtual) learning communities that could exist tomorrow. Second, we discuss some foundational considerations from theoreticians preparing us to build these communities with technological support. Practical issues around building new communities are illustrated with examples of virtual community types - including examples of technologically supported learning strategies that fall far short of our definition of virtual learning communities. Finally, some tactics for building robust learning communities are offered."

In a much-debated 1983 essay on distance learning, Richard E. Clark, a professor of educational psychology at the University of Southern California, argued that it was beside the point to ask whether distance education is better or worse than the traditional classroom. The medium isn't the crucial variable, Mr. Clark wrote. What is important is to look at the effectiveness of specific instructional strategies, regardless of how those strategies are delivered. Last week, more than 25 years after Mr. Clark's provocation, the U.S. Department of Education released a report that, at least at first glance, carries a strong message about the medium: Students learn more effectively in online settings. Most powerful of all appear to be "blended" courses that offer both face-to-face and online elements. Previous research has generally found that online and offline courses are equally effective.

This study had three purposes: Firstly, to develop a categorization of research areas in distance education; secondly, to identify the most important research areas in distance education; and thirdly, to identify the most neglected research areas in distance education. Based on a literature review and a Delphi study, three broad levels or perspectives with 15 research areas were derived to organize the body of knowledge in distance education. Prospective researchers can use the results to identify gaps and priority areas and to explore potential research directions.

Adult learners value the flexibility and convenience offered to them as online learners, and many learners are required to absent themselves from their online classes during courses in order to accommodate demanding schedules. What factors and tensions contribute to learners' decision-making at these times? This qualitative study considered the planned absences of learners engaged in an online graduate course at a large university. Working within the framework provided by cognitive, instructional, and social presences, findings showed the following: (1) learners understood and accommodated the relationship and importance of the affective domain to their cognitive successes in learning, (2) successful learners demonstrated insightful self-knowledge in using metacognitive strategies, and (3) learners' external support systems were fundamental to their ability to continue to learn when absences occurred. The study's findings corroborate other recent research that similarly stresses the complexity and interrelated nature of the adult learning process.

This MQF (gotta love those government acronyms!) got me thinking about whether we technology early adopters need a self-imposed moratorium on talking about new technology tools, at least in certain settings. One of the most common refrains heard from teachers or administrators who listen to us talk or blog about all of these new cool tools is "Why do I care about this as an educator?" In our eagerness to share our nearly-palpable glee and excitement, we often struggle to adequately answer the "So what?" question in ways that are substantive and meaningful to the average teacher or administrator.

Sharing personal and professional online learning experiences in preparation for a live online conference in February 6-8, 2009

Beyond the traditional learning management system: moving towards personal learning environments

Education 3.0: How the coevolution of technology and society will change higher education over the next decade

"George Siemens posts frequently and with clarity on his blog elearnspace, and often I find myself nodding my head as I read or questioning my assumptions or bouncing around to other web sites as I hunt down reinforcing or contradicting information. Today I challenged a couple claims made in his posting, Explaining leads to information, which examines the past, present, and future roles of universities."

What do journalism students need to know in the digital era? I interviewed Bruno Giussani, pioneering journalist and European director of the TED conference, and Pam Maples, Managing Editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, member of Pulitzer-winning team, about what journalism students need to know when they go out into the job market. I recommend Giussani's "New Media Tells Different Stories." (Forgive small audio sync probs-won't happen again.)

Howard Rheingold interviews jornalists to find out what journalism students need to know in the digital era.

An Introduction To RSS Readers: Google Reader and Netvibes Background Brian Kelly will give a talk on "An Introduction To RSS Readers: Google Reader and Netvibes" at a UKOLN seminar on 20th May 2008.

Martin Weller is Professor of Educational Technology at OU-UK, and was instrumental in developing its first e-learning initiatives. He blogs at The Ed Techie, but his essay was part of a special edition of the education journal On the Horizon. Authors contributing to the special edition (which isn't yet available) were asked to contribute a blog post describing their articles in a condensed form; Weller's post appeared at the editor's blog.

My argument then is that the conventional LMS is the wrong metaphor, not just the wrong technology, for engaging with some of the changes we are seeing that we might cluster under the web 2.0 banner. I am in the position of being able to quote myself, so I'll let M Weller sum it up: I would suggest that the reason the centralised LMS is not the answer to the 'web 2.0 problem' for education is because in its software DNA it embodies the wrong metaphor. It seeks to realise the principles of hierarchy, control and centralisation - the traditional classroom made virtual. This approach won't help educators understand the new challenges and opportunities they are now facing.