A day developing educators at Cardiff University. The topic was assessment: why and how. and being of a self-critical and reflective nature. I am inspired to assess myself. It was OK. I'd say a pass, maybe even a high pass but not really a merit. The discussion was good and facilitation was satisfactory. Midway feedback was … Continue reading Self assessing teaching about assessment
FSLT16 Joining Instructions
First Steps into Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (#fslt16) 20 January - 26 February 2016 Hello all Thank you for your interest in First Steps into Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (#fslt16). Welcome to the course. These "Joining instructions" should help you to get started. Because this is an open course, available to … Continue reading FSLT16 Joining Instructions
Countdown to FSLT16: Crazy fun grown up?
There have been and still are some challenges in getting FSLT16 ready to run. The course has grown in complexity since it was first run in early 2012. I have spent a lot of time trying to recover some of the earlier simplicity. In a way this parallels the path that all MOOCs have taken. … Continue reading Countdown to FSLT16: Crazy fun grown up?
What to do about Rhodes and other evils
I recently read Joanna Williams' piece in the Conversation, "Safe space hand wringers are attacking academic freedom – we must fight back". I have also been party to both academic and dinner-table conversations that addressed freedom of speech and cultural representation, currently exemplified by the Rhodes Must Fall in Oxford (RMFO) debate. A number of themes merge into a wider … Continue reading What to do about Rhodes and other evils
Badges: Learning Gain or Just a Game, and what’s wrong with that?
Badges are Digital image files with text metadata stating criteria for which the badge has been earned. Badges are (presently) self-certified by Learner or Earner and Self-certified by Provider or Issuer. Below are resources for a short session I ran for the Technology Experimentation Group (TEG). Badges assert achievement usually for employment or engagement or further educational/CPD purposes. … Continue reading Badges: Learning Gain or Just a Game, and what’s wrong with that?
Usurpation of the University?
Transcendence - transgression - is the modality of human being in the world… The urge to transcend is the most stubbornly present … attribute of human existence (Bauman 2002, 222-23). Last August I discussed a symposium to be held at the Australian Philosophy of Education Society with David Aldridge. That never happened but this note … Continue reading Usurpation of the University?
Academic Practice in practice?
What is the model and purpose of academic practice development? Producing 21st C Cardiff graduates in your discipline? There are two pillars of Welsh Government policy: Social justice is as important as a buoyant economy. Nationality is an issue. Language is an issue. A concept of privilege pervades the process. Much is made of the Welsh context. A … Continue reading Academic Practice in practice?
The “enhancement debate” and TEL
Beginning a critical exploration of "enhancement". The “enhancement debate” clearly (to me) must be addressed within the scope of technology enhanced learning (TEL) debates. TEL is largely seen as an instrumental means of making the individual person (human being) more effective and efficient in the information economy, maybe more compliant to employability and managerial norms … Continue reading The “enhancement debate” and TEL
QAA Quality Enhancement Network 12/11/2015
Fiona Handley from University of Brighton uses the term "Graduate Attribute" for digital literacy, where blended learning is the starting point. Focus on the learning and then ask about the technology that "suits me". As an aside, it is interesting to note that at an event devoted to digital literacies, the connection to the internet … Continue reading QAA Quality Enhancement Network 12/11/2015
Mark Childs on learner experience of distributed collaborative working
Mark reports on one international project in the built environment with Architects and Structural Engineers, working in three universities: Ryerson (Toronto), Loughborough and Coventry. BIM3 is about co-creating online. Argues that BIM3 is not properly implemented. When it comes to training we train people on the minimum technical skills not the wider social context of … Continue reading Mark Childs on learner experience of distributed collaborative working
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