Adult educators have been reluctant to engage with the latest second generation Internet technolo... more Adult educators have been reluctant to engage with the latest second generation Internet technologies. New ideas on how these technologies could reform the structure and processes of adult educati on are examined in relation to Illich's educational vision from the 1970s.
Major changes on the Web in recent years have contributed to an abundance of information for peop... more Major changes on the Web in recent years have contributed to an abundance of information for people to harness in their learning. Emerging technologies have instigated the need for critical literacies to support learners on open online networks in the mastering of critical information gathering during their learning journeys. This paper will argue that people will have to adapt to using information in a new way and will advocate the movement by learners into and inside information streams on open online networks. Their own control and aggregation of information, preferably through human mediation, should provide information not only relevant to their learning, but also slightly unexpected. We will highlight why this serendipity is important in a learning context and also take three emerging technologies under the loupe; recommenders, RSS and micro-bloggers, and their effectiveness in supporting serendipitous learning on open online networks.
Abstract: Some might argue that the analytics tools at our disposal are currently mainly used for... more Abstract: Some might argue that the analytics tools at our disposal are currently mainly used for boring purposes, such as improving processes and making money. In this paper we will try to define learning analytics and their purpose for learning and education. We will ponder on the best possible fit of particular types of research methods and their analysis. Methodological concerns related to the analysis of Big Data collected on online networks as well as ethical and privacy concerns will also be highlighted and a case study of the use of ...
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, 2000
Abstract After speculation in literature about the nature of Personal Learning Environments, rese... more Abstract After speculation in literature about the nature of Personal Learning Environments, research in the design and development of PLEs is now in progress. This paper reports on the first phase of the authors' research on PLE, the identification process of what potential users would consider important components, applications, and tools in a PLE. The methodology included surveying “super-users” on their use of existing tools, applications and systems and their preferences in learning, in order to enhance the development of a ...
The design of experiences and, in particular, educational experiences is a complex matter and inv... more The design of experiences and, in particular, educational experiences is a complex matter and involves not only using effective technologies and applying cognitive triggers, but there is a need to think outside the box in order to also design for the affective dimension of human experiences; the impressions, feelings and interactions that a learner might/could have with the online content and technology. The purpose of this article is to delve deep into this complex entity and, in doing so, to identify how one might approach designing for' ...
Abstract Digital technology is transforming life and is beginning to have a profound effect on in... more Abstract Digital technology is transforming life and is beginning to have a profound effect on individual psychic life and the wider social milieu. This article seeks to understand the nature of the new technology and its implications for personal life, culture, and education. The scene is set by comparing the introduction of printing to the revolution inaugurated by digital technology. This new age is often called “postmodern,” and some of the characteristics of the age suggested by Lyotard, Baudrillard, McLuhan, and others are identified. The cultural ...
The Community University of the Valleys (CUV) is a successful Higher Education (HE) widening acce... more The Community University of the Valleys (CUV) is a successful Higher Education (HE) widening access initiative, led by Swansea University’s Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE). Through a network of community partner centres, higher education is provided in the communities of South West Wales. Its unique community-based part-time degree with confidence building foundation programmes, is recognised for its success in recruiting and retaining adult students from under-represented social groups. In Wales 41% of University students are adults (Trotman et al 2008) and this chapter will highlight initiatives targeted at developing learning environments that create successful learning journeys for adults, from initial recruitment through all stages of their university experience.
Adult educators have been reluctant to engage with the latest second generation Internet technolo... more Adult educators have been reluctant to engage with the latest second generation Internet technologies. New ideas on how these technologies could reform the structure and processes of adult educati on are examined in relation to Illich's educational vision from the 1970s.
Major changes on the Web in recent years have contributed to an abundance of information for peop... more Major changes on the Web in recent years have contributed to an abundance of information for people to harness in their learning. Emerging technologies have instigated the need for critical literacies to support learners on open online networks in the mastering of critical information gathering during their learning journeys. This paper will argue that people will have to adapt to using information in a new way and will advocate the movement by learners into and inside information streams on open online networks. Their own control and aggregation of information, preferably through human mediation, should provide information not only relevant to their learning, but also slightly unexpected. We will highlight why this serendipity is important in a learning context and also take three emerging technologies under the loupe; recommenders, RSS and micro-bloggers, and their effectiveness in supporting serendipitous learning on open online networks.
Abstract: Some might argue that the analytics tools at our disposal are currently mainly used for... more Abstract: Some might argue that the analytics tools at our disposal are currently mainly used for boring purposes, such as improving processes and making money. In this paper we will try to define learning analytics and their purpose for learning and education. We will ponder on the best possible fit of particular types of research methods and their analysis. Methodological concerns related to the analysis of Big Data collected on online networks as well as ethical and privacy concerns will also be highlighted and a case study of the use of ...
International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments, 2000
Abstract After speculation in literature about the nature of Personal Learning Environments, rese... more Abstract After speculation in literature about the nature of Personal Learning Environments, research in the design and development of PLEs is now in progress. This paper reports on the first phase of the authors' research on PLE, the identification process of what potential users would consider important components, applications, and tools in a PLE. The methodology included surveying “super-users” on their use of existing tools, applications and systems and their preferences in learning, in order to enhance the development of a ...
The design of experiences and, in particular, educational experiences is a complex matter and inv... more The design of experiences and, in particular, educational experiences is a complex matter and involves not only using effective technologies and applying cognitive triggers, but there is a need to think outside the box in order to also design for the affective dimension of human experiences; the impressions, feelings and interactions that a learner might/could have with the online content and technology. The purpose of this article is to delve deep into this complex entity and, in doing so, to identify how one might approach designing for' ...
Abstract Digital technology is transforming life and is beginning to have a profound effect on in... more Abstract Digital technology is transforming life and is beginning to have a profound effect on individual psychic life and the wider social milieu. This article seeks to understand the nature of the new technology and its implications for personal life, culture, and education. The scene is set by comparing the introduction of printing to the revolution inaugurated by digital technology. This new age is often called “postmodern,” and some of the characteristics of the age suggested by Lyotard, Baudrillard, McLuhan, and others are identified. The cultural ...
The Community University of the Valleys (CUV) is a successful Higher Education (HE) widening acce... more The Community University of the Valleys (CUV) is a successful Higher Education (HE) widening access initiative, led by Swansea University’s Department of Adult Continuing Education (DACE). Through a network of community partner centres, higher education is provided in the communities of South West Wales. Its unique community-based part-time degree with confidence building foundation programmes, is recognised for its success in recruiting and retaining adult students from under-represented social groups. In Wales 41% of University students are adults (Trotman et al 2008) and this chapter will highlight initiatives targeted at developing learning environments that create successful learning journeys for adults, from initial recruitment through all stages of their university experience.
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