Sort of highs and lows... but more sort of very highs and not quite so highs with a smattering of serious reflection.
The very highs - of course - the people! special mentions go to Bryan, Gardner, Gardner's students Serena and David, Diana O, Julie Little, Carie, Don and John (both from BbIESC)...as well as new friends to add incl Holly (my co-interviewee), Laura and Barbara (of digi-fear), Joann, Jose...and some others including every presenter I saw (yes this is a bit like an Oscar's acceptance speech but probably my only chance) - I took something away from every session and every conversation, as always it was ELI so pretty intensive (aka exhausting) but also very inspiring.
The not quite so highs - never quite enough time, too many parallels (although to be fair, for me, two parallel sessions is 1 too many) and, of course, being completely supplier free means not so many "fabulous" freebies.
The new kids on the block - everyone was talking about two dominant features of the conference - the apple-sponsored student content showcase (a really nice idea, spoiled ever so slightly for me by the skew towards things that involve apple technologies, I know that is how it has to be, but it was just a shame) and twitter (intelligirl described twitter as the grand-dame of the conference and I can't sum it up any better than that, it was like having access to a conference back channel and I definitely got more out of running parallel the real world conference and the virtual twittering than had it been the event alone)
A conference divided (?) - I felt that there were definitely two camps at the conference
- the "run as fast as we can towards web2.0" group extolling the virtues of SecondLife, WoW, croquet, twitter, mashed up maps n IM, gaming, Facebook etc etc (and of course that VLEs (esp Bb) are inherently evil) - all based on the premise that the kids are leaving us behind and we need to be where they are and know what they know to enable education to keep up with social uses of technology.
- the "digi-fear, the technology is OK but what about the people" group asking challenging questions about who the kids are and how confident are they really, how do staff become more digitally fluent to embrace these new technologies when CMS/VLEs still scare them and what are the true tower and cloud implications of the brave new world.
Monday, February 4, 2008
If You Build It, Will They Come? Reality-Based Emerging Services Planning for Millennials
oops sorry - one session outstanding from me from the ELI conference - sorry it is out of sequence, I got a bit paranoid about battery life.
So the session - named above - was from U of Guelph in Ontario. This was a library and IT group who were looking at whether they should deliver more of their student support services through new and emerging technologies or techniques, rather than learning and teaching. Not a big deal just thought it was useful to set the context (and explain the title). They had done some research into their own students use of technology and expectations, and many of their findings seemed to contradict the stuff in the literature (although it aligned with conventional wisdom and the general sense we get from SHU).
Their slides are pretty comprehensive and share quite a lot of their results - so I'll let you take a look for yourselves (and I encourage you to do so, some of the results are surprising, some are not at all surprising) http://www.educause.edu/upload/presentations/ELI081/SESS37/ELI%20Presentation.pdf Hard to know what to add from my notes, but if you have any questions/comments, please post, I will try to expand on it.
Most I think are similar (or pose similar discussion points) to the kind of feedback we get at SHU. The only result they discussed which looked a bit "odd" was the library resources one. Even though they had made some effort to minimise the bias that might be in the responses if the students knew the survey came from the library by sending it from the office of the CIO, bottom line - it is still a survey from the university and this was the one question where I felt there might be some skew towards the answer you are supposed to give.
Overall the feedback was that all to familiar "message for the ages" - spend less time developing new things and more time improving things that are already offered by making them easier to use and supporting users to use them more efficiently/effectively.
So the session - named above - was from U of Guelph in Ontario. This was a library and IT group who were looking at whether they should deliver more of their student support services through new and emerging technologies or techniques, rather than learning and teaching. Not a big deal just thought it was useful to set the context (and explain the title). They had done some research into their own students use of technology and expectations, and many of their findings seemed to contradict the stuff in the literature (although it aligned with conventional wisdom and the general sense we get from SHU).
Their slides are pretty comprehensive and share quite a lot of their results - so I'll let you take a look for yourselves (and I encourage you to do so, some of the results are surprising, some are not at all surprising) http://www.educause.edu/upload/presentations/ELI081/SESS37/ELI%20Presentation.pdf Hard to know what to add from my notes, but if you have any questions/comments, please post, I will try to expand on it.
Most I think are similar (or pose similar discussion points) to the kind of feedback we get at SHU. The only result they discussed which looked a bit "odd" was the library resources one. Even though they had made some effort to minimise the bias that might be in the responses if the students knew the survey came from the library by sending it from the office of the CIO, bottom line - it is still a survey from the university and this was the one question where I felt there might be some skew towards the answer you are supposed to give.
Overall the feedback was that all to familiar "message for the ages" - spend less time developing new things and more time improving things that are already offered by making them easier to use and supporting users to use them more efficiently/effectively.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Kentucky Bed and Breakfast
Apologies for falling off the radar for a couple of days but we found ourselves in deepest darkest Kentucky. In fairness it was pretty well connected for wireless etc it is just that we had such a packed programme that we didn't have a minute to blog.
So anyway, I wasn't really sure what to expect from a B&B in rural Kentucky but it certainly wasn't this! There aren't really many good reasons to visit Somerset, Kentucky - (afterall it is at
least 1 hour from anywhere, it has a population of about 11,000, is best known for building the finest houseboats in the world (not a big demand in Sheffield?), is, despite being in the home of bourbon whiskey, a dry county and is the very buckle of the bible belt (and believe me that phrase cannot be adequately explained in words, I thought I knew, but it needs to be seen (and heard) to be believed!!....but if you ever do have one this is the place to stay. Check out the website by clicking on the image left...and enjoy, y'all!
So anyway, I wasn't really sure what to expect from a B&B in rural Kentucky but it certainly wasn't this! There aren't really many good reasons to visit Somerset, Kentucky - (afterall it is at
least 1 hour from anywhere, it has a population of about 11,000, is best known for building the finest houseboats in the world (not a big demand in Sheffield?), is, despite being in the home of bourbon whiskey, a dry county and is the very buckle of the bible belt (and believe me that phrase cannot be adequately explained in words, I thought I knew, but it needs to be seen (and heard) to be believed!!....but if you ever do have one this is the place to stay. Check out the website by clicking on the image left...and enjoy, y'all!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Kentucky fast food
Ok can't seem to get away from the food imagery. Here at Presidium and a few minutes to kill so catching up with my blog homework. Haven't got my notes so thought I'd pick up a few of the DF issues that have emerged from the sessions overall. Firstly that DF is being mentioned repeatedly and is definitely on the radar over here. Critical thinking is the area that most are focusing on - particularly around the net gen student.
There are also lots of examples of collaboration across the support services, recognising that the DF agenda has to be multi agency. Much mention of creating learning hubs type environments for academic/staff and support to come together - those I've seen are at the early stages, eg George Mason University Learning Hub (open 2 weeks) - and interestingly they wanted to call it the DF hub but no one connected with that term.
Possibly the most common dilemna under discussion is how to engage academics. Virginia State University have just done the ELI survey on use of technology with their academics and their students and shared some really scary results about how little their staff are using any technology both in their personal life or their academic and that was just the staff who felt it mattered enough to complete the survey (about 8% if I remember correctly) so the true picture may be considerably worse.
Indian University did a session on a new teaching cert for academics on Integrating Technology into the Curriculum, the bar seemed to be set fairly low - requiring one semester of teaching using the CMS and reflecting on it, observing and dicussing an experienced academic using technology effectively in a class and attending at least 6 LTA type seminars run by faculty or centrally. However, I went straight from that session to one of the student showcase things and there was a student from Indiana, showing a video about students experience of technology in the curriculum at Indiana and the only two things repeatedly mentioned were Powerpoint and very occassionally video. Needless to say the staff doing the presentation upstairs had not been aware of the student stuff going on downstairs initially.
Talking of student video the DF event planners may be pleased to hear that not only is Chuck D from University of Central Florida going to contribute to our YouTube but he has also promised to get his students to talk about their experience of DF too - if he delivers then he may well supplant GBA as my fave Deity.
There are also lots of examples of collaboration across the support services, recognising that the DF agenda has to be multi agency. Much mention of creating learning hubs type environments for academic/staff and support to come together - those I've seen are at the early stages, eg George Mason University Learning Hub (open 2 weeks) - and interestingly they wanted to call it the DF hub but no one connected with that term.
Possibly the most common dilemna under discussion is how to engage academics. Virginia State University have just done the ELI survey on use of technology with their academics and their students and shared some really scary results about how little their staff are using any technology both in their personal life or their academic and that was just the staff who felt it mattered enough to complete the survey (about 8% if I remember correctly) so the true picture may be considerably worse.
Indian University did a session on a new teaching cert for academics on Integrating Technology into the Curriculum, the bar seemed to be set fairly low - requiring one semester of teaching using the CMS and reflecting on it, observing and dicussing an experienced academic using technology effectively in a class and attending at least 6 LTA type seminars run by faculty or centrally. However, I went straight from that session to one of the student showcase things and there was a student from Indiana, showing a video about students experience of technology in the curriculum at Indiana and the only two things repeatedly mentioned were Powerpoint and very occassionally video. Needless to say the staff doing the presentation upstairs had not been aware of the student stuff going on downstairs initially.
Talking of student video the DF event planners may be pleased to hear that not only is Chuck D from University of Central Florida going to contribute to our YouTube but he has also promised to get his students to talk about their experience of DF too - if he delivers then he may well supplant GBA as my fave Deity.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
keynote (next bit)
oh dear - he has just invited questions from the floor "what do you guys want to know?" - I think probably where do we keep the torches and pitchforks
Tom Reeves (Georgia) has just asked about role of editorial in lulu and opportunities for publication of holocaust denial materials - hmmm, he can't quite answer it - he must have really upset people if they are railing again the open access principles.
Gardner's student, Serena, has just challenged him about his view about how, as a "damn idiot student", she should do to work better?
on Twitter: "Serena rocks. But her direct query cannot penetrate his cloak of inane self-regard."
Tom Reeves (Georgia) has just asked about role of editorial in lulu and opportunities for publication of holocaust denial materials - hmmm, he can't quite answer it - he must have really upset people if they are railing again the open access principles.
Gardner's student, Serena, has just challenged him about his view about how, as a "damn idiot student", she should do to work better?
on Twitter: "Serena rocks. But her direct query cannot penetrate his cloak of inane self-regard."
Education Publishing: Moving from the 18th to the 21st Century in One Step
keynote - Bob Young is CEO of Lulu (and previously from redhat) http://www.lulu.com/ - space for self publishing
OK, doesn't seem to be about anything at all quite yet - so I'm a bit distracted (or just flexing my CPA muscles)
- looks like the competitions have got too hard - I'm gonna try and swoop in a get/give some "power points"
- Quote from twitter: "is it back? is it reeeeeally back? I've missed my ELI twitterers metatwittercognitive thoughts!" - now there is a word and half (well actually 2 complete words)!!
- also looks like the twitterati don't like the keynote - he thinks he is a lot funnier than anybody else in the room seems to. Interesting twitter stuff, real time "critique" and everyone else in the room is watching him and it - you need thick, thick skin in life 2.0 - i.
eg twitter stream (read bottom up):
I'm glad this clown thinks we're smart. 1 minute ago from web
Conference speaker just joked about not getting paid enough to talk. That takes, um, something. 2 minutes ago from web
This guy is not working for me... Not sure why. 2 minutes ago from txt
I seem to have slipped into another space-time continuum. What is the topic? 2 minutes ago from web
Did I just hear the speaker complain about not getting paid enough? You're lucky to be here, pal. 3 minutes ago from web
-----------------------------------------------------
So far - there hasn't been anything on the screen other than the lulu homepage and he seems to be talking about not making enough money for something else that he has does in the past.
- you need thick, thick skin in life 2.0 - interesting to gather student feedback on satisfaction through this *gulp*, halo effects are so last century. OK the twitter is definitely of more interest, look at this (from bottom again):
I am not following this talk either. I agree that a little more structure & prep would have been appropriate. half a minute ago from web
I confess I haven't spent a long time on my Rolex connoisseurship. I feel alone. less than a minute ago from web
Let's go! less than 20 seconds ago from Snitter in reply
There's obviously something interesting about his experience, but he doesn't seem to have prepared to share it with us. less than 20 seconds ago from web
A long lulu promotion? half a minute ago from web
Please aim carefully. I'm up front and don't want to get hit. 1 minute ago from twitterrific in reply got a long tail for you right here pal. half a minute ago from web
Where are we going with this
---------------------------------------------------------------
"I was unaware that the closing keynote writers are on strike too." - classic!!
OK, doesn't seem to be about anything at all quite yet - so I'm a bit distracted (or just flexing my CPA muscles)
- looks like the competitions have got too hard - I'm gonna try and swoop in a get/give some "power points"
- Quote from twitter: "is it back? is it reeeeeally back? I've missed my ELI twitterers metatwittercognitive thoughts!" - now there is a word and half (well actually 2 complete words)!!
- also looks like the twitterati don't like the keynote - he thinks he is a lot funnier than anybody else in the room seems to. Interesting twitter stuff, real time "critique" and everyone else in the room is watching him and it - you need thick, thick skin in life 2.0 - i.
eg twitter stream (read bottom up):
I'm glad this clown thinks we're smart. 1 minute ago from web
Conference speaker just joked about not getting paid enough to talk. That takes, um, something. 2 minutes ago from web
This guy is not working for me... Not sure why. 2 minutes ago from txt
I seem to have slipped into another space-time continuum. What is the topic? 2 minutes ago from web
Did I just hear the speaker complain about not getting paid enough? You're lucky to be here, pal. 3 minutes ago from web
-----------------------------------------------------
So far - there hasn't been anything on the screen other than the lulu homepage and he seems to be talking about not making enough money for something else that he has does in the past.
- you need thick, thick skin in life 2.0 - interesting to gather student feedback on satisfaction through this *gulp*, halo effects are so last century. OK the twitter is definitely of more interest, look at this (from bottom again):
I am not following this talk either. I agree that a little more structure & prep would have been appropriate. half a minute ago from web
I confess I haven't spent a long time on my Rolex connoisseurship. I feel alone. less than a minute ago from web
Let's go! less than 20 seconds ago from Snitter in reply
There's obviously something interesting about his experience, but he doesn't seem to have prepared to share it with us. less than 20 seconds ago from web
A long lulu promotion? half a minute ago from web
Please aim carefully. I'm up front and don't want to get hit. 1 minute ago from twitterrific in reply got a long tail for you right here pal. half a minute ago from web
Where are we going with this
---------------------------------------------------------------
"I was unaware that the closing keynote writers are on strike too." - classic!!
Getting ready for the last keynote
ooh ooh whilst the intro is being done a giant picture of Kay interviewing Bryan for our May event on the big screens - I hope I can find it afterwards - yay!!!
quote on twitter: " the student showcase presentations have rocked my paradigm"
ooh - there are Kay and Bryan again on the loop
quote on twitter: " the student showcase presentations have rocked my paradigm"
ooh - there are Kay and Bryan again on the loop
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