Bio: I am currently working as a Learning Technology Officer at UCL, supporting the core e-learning services. Previously I worked in a similar position at Southampton Solent University as an e-Learning Support Officer. Here I gained a lot of knowledge in e-learning. I have a Master degree in Media for which I achieved a Merit and an undergraduate degree in journalism, for which I gained a 2:1. My main passions within learning technology relate to social learning platforms, including e-portfolios, social media and web 2.0 tools.
The reason I will be good at using Facebook at FOTE12 is because it is a platform that is second nature to me. I regularly use Facebook (and other social media platforms) to post not only updates about my personal life but also to post about interesting links, or debates relating to learning technologies. I have run many training sessions about Facebook for staff and students and have also run a session on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for the Hampshire branch of the British Computer Society.
Bio: I have worked in education for about 17 years and am passionate about the role that technology can play in enhancing learning for a wide variety of learners. My e-learning roots were first brought to life when working at a local college and with encouragement and support I went on to lead Becta’s Ferl Practitioners’ Programme before moving on to work on a range of policy and change management initiatives affecting 14-19 providers. These included use of coaching to improve subject learning, reforms to vocational education through the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) and the implementation of Foundation Learning. More recently I have been working independently publishing guides on innovative use of technology for HE and FE and developing a blended learning programme on Managing Curriculum change. My work has taken me away from direct engagement with learners and I really like to keep my hand-in and engage in purposeful exploration of technology. I am less experienced in using social media than some although I love the sociable and exchange elements this offers. So, I hope to use GooglePlus during FOTE to engage in the mutual sharing of observations and experiences and to become more social media savvy.
Title: e-Learning Advisor at JISC CETIS mainly supporting the JISC Open Educational Resources Programme
Selected Platform: Google+
Bio: As an innovation centre the work of JISC CETIS is at the cutting edge of educational technology. This is reflected in my blog (MASHe) which includes a collection of tools and techniques for extracting and visualising data from social networks. Some of my work was used at FOTE10 to combine the Twitter backchannel with video recordings of the live sessions. I am an active user of Google+ and as well as using the platform to connect and share with other educators I also have a number of posts on the technical aspects of the platform.
Title: Learning Technology Coordinator at Imperial College London
SelectedPlatform: Facebook
Bio: I have a first degree in Multimedia Technology and Design (BSc, Hons) and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in ICT Secondary Education from Brunel University, I have taught in Secondary Schools in London for a couple of years and have recently completed a Masters (MA) in ICT in Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Prior to starting at Imperial College, I worked as a Learning Technology Adviser at Brunel University in West London.
I am currently a governor of the Northwood School, Hillingdon, North West London.
In my spare time, I enjoy taking photographs, web designing, keeping up to date with latest technological advances, films, listening to a wide range of music and gardening.
I’ll be good at using Facebook, as I use it regularly to keep up to date with friends, family and ex-colleagues!
Title: Learning Technologist at the University of Leicester
Selected Platform: Interviews
Bio: I regularly blog on aspects of social media, social networks, and learning technologies. Earlier this year, I joined the University of Leicester as a Learning Technologist, after 5 years in a similar role with the Business School at the Bournemouth University. I like to explore advances in social media websites and online social networks and have made the most of what is available and have grown an International reputation for my blogging and conference activities.
You can follow me on Twitter and my eLearning Blog, where I write on aspects of eLearning, technology, social media, social networks and education.
*Update* Unfortunately, due to work commitments, James has pulled out of FOTE12 *Update*
Name: James Clay
Title: ILT & Learning Resources Manager at Gloucestershire College
Selected Platform: Blog
Bio: I’m passionate about the use of learning technologies to enhance and enrich the learning experience. I have used, developed, managed and inspired others in a range of technologies, from DTP, CD-ROM, mobile devices, the internet, the VLE, the MLE, mobile learning through to Web 2.0.
My role as ILT & Learning resources manager means I am responsible for the VLE, the use of learning technologies, e-learning, mobile learning, the libraries, digital and online resources and the strategic direction of the college in relation to the use of learning technologies.
I have extensive experience of mobile learning and have a vision that goes beyond mobile technologies and focuses on the mobility of the learner, blurring the demarcation between formal and informal learning. My current vision for tertiary education encompasses the use of Web 2.0 technologies embedded into an institutional VLE which can be accessed through mobile technologies. Allowing learners a focal point for their studying, whilst allowing the depth and breadth of Web 2.0 to bring a personalised learning experience to students at a time and space to suit them. For the future, I hope that institutions will allow for a flexible, personalised, accessible learning experience for all.
I was previously Director of the Western Colleges Consortium from 2001 to 2006. As Director I was responsible for the management, strategic direction and development of e-learning using a shared MLE across the four partner FE Colleges of the WCC. Before the WCC he worked for at-Bristol, a Millennium project within the Harbourside of central Bristol – a job which involved delivering hands-on science education and designing educational websites on subjects as diverse as handheld learning experiences, via Antiguan racer snakes, through space science to the mummification process of ancient Egyptians.
Prior to the above, I spent ten years in Further Education as a lecturer in Business & Economics, employing learning technologies. My resources and websites were used extensively by students and were praised by verifiers and inspectors.
Title: Educational Developer at Sheffield Hallam University
Selected platform: Twitter
Bio: I’m a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Staff and Educational Developers Association and the Association of University Administrators. Despite being a latecomer to higher education, I have developed a passion for lifelong learning and attribute great value to the personal learning network I have developed through the use of social media. Having now completed my PgCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education and a Masters in Communication and Media Studies, as part of my own CPD I am studying for a second Masters degree in Technology Enhanced Learning, Innovation and Change and will be working toward Certified Membership of the Association of Learning Technologists. My research interests include digital Literacies; digital identity; and the use of social media and technology enhanced learning in higher education and its use in continued professional development (CPD).
Tickets for FOTE09 sold out in record time, with the last being snatched up a mere 6 hours after we opened bookings. We were thrilled with this success and the pressure was on to deliver another great conference!
The core focus of the 2009 conference was on cloud computing and social media. To help address these key themes we gathered some of the leading technology organisations and academic practitioners in the UK.
Paul Miller cut through the hype of cloud computing, Simone Brunozzi (Amazon) talked about security in the cloud, Ray Fleming shared Microsoft’s vision of the collaborative campus and Pauline Yau covered Education and Collaboration during the first morning session on cloud computing.
Robert Moores from Leeds Metropolitan University shared his experience of moving to Google Apps, Will McInnes ponder about our social tomorrow (and share an obligatory kitten picture), James Clay used the wisdom of the crowd to answer the questions of what the future of learning will look like (remember to bring that harvest in!) and Nick Skelton asked the audience to stop worrying and love the internet.
Most notably we had our virtual worlds debate chaired by Harold Fricker asked our panel the question “Are Virtual Worlds a legitimate vehicle for learning and teaching?”. Defending this view were Pauline Randall and David Burden with the opposition being represented by Dr Alan J. Cann, senior lecturer at the University of Leicester, who’s pre-conference blog post “Virtually Useless” still makes for a very entertaining read – and Evan Dickerson from JISC RSC London.
An interesting article on TechRadar from September 2011 asked “Whatever happened to Second Life?” and argues that the hype didn’t help – and where Second Life is headed now.
Videos
Watch the FOTE09 presenations.
Paul Miller – Cutting through the hype to see Clouds in context.
Simone Brunozzi – Security in the Cloud
Ray Fleming – The Collaborative Campus and the Cloud
Pauline Yau – Education, Collaboration & the Cloud
Bill Ashraf – HE’s Free and Feral?
Robert Moores – Google Apps – One year on
James Ballard & Richard Davis – Integrating VLEs with Repositories
Cloud Computing Debate
Will McInnes – Our social tomorrow
James Clay – Future of Learning
Nick Skelton – How to learn to stop worrying and love the Internet
“The conference was very well organized and the food/tea breaks were perfectly placed. My thanks goes out to the hosts and the presenters.”
John Mclear, Director from Etherpad Foundation
“Had an interesting day at FOTE09 last Friday as much because of the people there as the speakers. Generous breaks and a very convivial drinks reception at the end made for some useful conversation.”
Rose Heaney, Learning Technology Advisor from UEL
“Excellent chance to stop and reflect/speculate about our position and set it in context. Well organised but had an informality”
David Lloyd, IT Director from Esher College
Links
Mira Vogel is apart of the learning technology staff in the learning enhancement unit at Goldsmiths. Mira’s note froms FOTE08 can be found on her Celt Record Blog.
Rose Heaney attended FOTE09 and noted down her thoughts of the day in her blog, Pause for thought.
We are looking for volunteers to help us look after our social media networks (Twitter, Facebook, Google+, live blog , and moderate the FOTE12 livestream) during the actual conference. We will provide you with a detailed brief so you are able to answer the usual FAQs that crop up during a conference; but apart from that we would expect you to be at ease with sharing the key conference messages throughout the day with our remote audience.
To get a better idea of the scope of FOTE please have a look at our FOTE infographics which illustrate the reach of the event. This year will be the first time we are using Facebook and Google+ and we hope to make the live streaming experience more inclusive and engaging.
What you get
Volunteers will be featured (picture and bio) on the FOTE conference website
Receive their free FOTE12 ticket ahead of the usual rush
Will be invited to the exclusive pre-conference dinner of keynote speakers on Thursday evening
Receive overnight accommodation; after all we want you to be well rested on the day.
What we expect
Should you be chosen we would expect you to:
Tweet, share and blog about FOTE12 in the run up to the conference
Manage ‘your’ respective social network during the conference
Post photos / videos during and after conference as appropriate
If you are interested and would like to play a key part in this years conference please leave a comment below and/or email us at marketing[at]ulcc.ac.uk and let us know which of the above activities you’d like to volunteer for, why you’d like to be involved and links that showcase your mastery and skill with social media tools in a conference environment.
Sue Beckingham of Sheffield Hallam University discusses how our graduates of tomorrow face an increasingly competitive job market. Competing for jobs will no longer be confined to the communication channels we have traditionally used for decades and there is a growing shift to digital alternatives. What is clear therefore is that there is a vital need to ensure that our students have the opportunity to develop the necessary digital skills they will need to prepare them for their future. The notion of the digital native /digital immigrant must be challenged as whilst many are visitors to online forums, this does not necessarily indicate that they have given consideration to the development of their own professional online presence or indeed have the skills to do this most effectively.
This presentation explores some of the innovative ways students are already using social media and technology to give them the edge and the changing approach to the way employers are recruiting.
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