Archived Events

Event Overview:
In the last few years there has been a quiet revolution taking place online. Virtual learning Environments, with their traditional emphasis on providing a digital repository for course materials are now being augmented by an increasing range of easy-to-use and freely available ‘social software’ tools such as Blogs and Wikis, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace among others. These tools are facilitating new online opportunities for creative and collaborative activities that support teaching, learning and assessment. The capacity to engage with online communities increases student-led engagement in the learning experience, changing the tutor’s role to moderator and facilitator. The use of these tools raises a number of interesting and contentious issues surrounding public availability of student work, reliance on external vendors, development of new Digital literacy skills and student expectation.
Some questions that will be considered during the day include:

• How do I set one up? Choosing your software: open source and in house options
• Which type of tool would work best for me?
• What types of activities work best?
• How do the learners react?
• How do I integrate these activities into assessment?
• What are the ethical issues involved in using these tools?

This one day workshop is aimed at any lecturer who would like to discover more about how these tools can be used with their students. Whether you are completely new to e-learning and social software or are already experienced at using online tools we would welcome your and participation. During the day we will provide opportunities for participants to hear about examples of the ways these new tools are being used in new ways in Literature, Language and Creative writing classrooms across the UK. There will also be the chance to take part in practical activities using social software, facilitated by the practitioners themselves.
In order for us to provide a programme most suited to your needs can we ask event delegates to let us know:

• What level of experience they have?
• Any specific areas you would like addressed by the workshop?

You can answer these questions in the 'Special Requirements' field of the online form...(i.e. after you've told us your dietary requirements!)