ICT4Champions

The future success of e-learning depends on appropriate selection of tools and services. This symposium will propose that the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as an institutional tool is dead, no more, defunct, expired. The first panel member, Steve Wheeler, will argue that many VLEs are not fit for purpose, and masquerade as solutions for the management of online learning. Some are little more than glorified e-mail systems. They will argue that VLEs provide a negative experience for learners. The second member of the panel, Graham Attwell, believes that the VLE is dead and that the Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is the solution to the needs of diverse learners. PLEs provide opportunities for learners, offering users the ability to develop their own spaces in which to reflect on their learning. The third panel member, James Clay, however, believes that the VLE is not yet dead as a concept, but can be the starting point of a journey for many learners. Creating an online environment involving multiple tools that provides for an enhanced experience for learners can involve a VLE as a hub or centre. The fourth panel member, Nick Sharratt, argues for the concept of the institutional VLE as essentially sound. VLEs provide a stable, reliable, self-contained and safe environment in which all teaching and learning activities can be conducted. It provides the best environment for the variety of learners within institutions.

Open content licensing (free stuff!) is changing the world. It's making art, music, information, and education more accessible than it has ever been in the history of humankind. We've put together a collection of articles designed to help you become a part of this amazing movement, either as a creator, or just a more empowered consumer. This is a guide for people new to open content, or people who want to expand what they already know about this incredible movement. Here you'll learn what open content is, how to license your own work for sharing around the world, and how to find the best and most beautiful open content for your websites, slideshows, articles, and whatever other amazing projects you have coming up!

The conference will be of interest to educators, administrators, students, and community members who value the importance of integrating technology into the curriculum to improve instruction, learning, and business. Online learning involves various skills on the part of the instructor and learner. These include social and communication skills, social networking, independent learning strategies, critical and higher order thinking skills, creativity, and effective online and face-to-face facilitation. In addition, there are many challenges that educators, administrators, students, businesses, and community members face. The theme of the conference is, connecting online for instruction and learning that goes beyond the classroom. Presenters from around the globe will discuss the following topics: Connecting online to improve instruction and learning: Online learning and pedagogical/instructional experiences Experiences with the use of technology in face-to-face and online classes. What worked and what didn't work for you? How do you use technology to promote your online workshops, consultation, business, and communities? Research conducted on e-learning Books written on e-learning 21st Century learning and teaching Challenges of the 21st Century learning/teaching environment Leading a business with e-learning technology

"We've added a lot of new content, including chapters focused on iPad apps, using Facebook in Education, Free Productivity Resources, and more. We've also added quite a few new articles to various chapters throughout the booklet, and removed some older material. We combed over all the links to make sure all the resources are still available, and made changes where needed."

 "I've provided a primer on note-taking strategies, many of which I personally used during my academic career. A lot of this is fairly basic stuff-there are no "secrets" to note-taking success. But hopefully a few of these tips will help you start taking notes more effectively."

2012 looks as if it might be the year that OER and open access reach the mainstream, globally and in South Africa. In the last few months in South Africa, the national department responsible for schools had announced the take-up of a major OER science and maths resource and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has included in a new Green Paper a recommendation for the widespread use of open educational resources.

"Curriculum aligned textbooks with embedded videos, simulations, powerpoint presentations and more. "

Curriculum aligned textbooks with embedded videos, simulations, powerpoint presentations and more.

"the need to intervene in the development of student self-assessment skills, leaving the process less to chance and making it more the result of purposeful intervention."

"Lit2Go is a free online collection of stories and poems in Mp3 (audiobook) format. An abstract, citation, playing time, and word count are given for each of the passages. Many of the passages also have a related reading strategy identified. Each reading passage can also be downloaded as a PDF and printed for use as a read-along or as supplemental reading material for your classroom."

Sometimes teachers and administrators need a kick in the pants to see what they perceive as problems re-framed in a different way. Adam S. Bellow, author of The Tech Commandments, and founder of eduTecher, spoke to a roomful of receptive teachers at the recent ISTE 2011 conference, and demonstrated some of the ironies and contradictions the education system is mired in. And he had some advice.

Use Educational Technology to overcome institutional barriers in Higher Education. Follow a case study to learn how to deploy educational technologies in your institution. Guides to get the most out of using educational technology in Higher Education: e-Learning Learning Management Systems Information Systems

Lots of great resources here that are free to use.

Create a compelling digital brochure, flyer, or product guide for your business you can promote across all your customer touch points. Write once, post everywhere.

 A nice summary for the pros and cons for learning and teaching with technology

Just bringing new technology in your classroom and working it into day-to-day routines isn't enough. Here are five lessons I've learned about redefining classroom instruction with technology-whether iPads or other tools...

Great guide and questions to consider before rolling out an ipad (or any pad) in your school environment

"As part of the iPads for Learning trial, students have access to an iPad on a 1-to-1 basis, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for the duration of the trial. 1-to-1 programs maximise learning opportunities for students by providing access to information anywhere, anytime. A major benefit of 1-to-1 devices is that they can be networked for two way communication and collaboration between teachers and students and extend learning beyond the classroom."

Great ipad resources here

"These videos are intended above all for teachers who are new in using ICT/IT in and around the classroom. Find simple, to the point explanations and instructions for different functions of personal computers and laptops! "