About Marion Manton

I amSenior Manager: Learning Design and co-manager of TALL with David White. Previous to that I was eLearning Research Project Manager. As well as the day to day running of TALL I am responsible for the ensuring that all TALL programmes are best practice examples of learning online for their audience. I work closely with course teams to specify the learning they want to achieve with their programme and to identify the best uses of technology to do this. I also maintain currency with the latest research in eLearning, to ensure that TALL is aware of and exploits the best current knowledge of what works in terms of effective eLearning. My particular interests are in effective pedagogical models for different learning scenarios and how best to facilitate these by the appropriate use of technology. As well as the development of effective tools and processes to help academics identify these and translate knowledge of their subject and teaching into high quality online learning.

Pedagogy Experts Group

I have just got back from JISCs latest pedagogy experts meeting. Always a good place to find out more about things that are going on in eLearning (from a pedagogy perspective) either JISC funded or otherwise.

Had a very interesting discussion about the future of (e)assessment – I am looking forward to seeing some of the stuff coming out of this area, as whatever about massed mcq question banks I think that social software is going to completely change this space, but this presents a lot of challenges for the institution.

Also an interesting update on the SIMPLE project which looks like a really interesting example of simulations for learning.

Phoebe – Phase 2

We have just heard from JISC that we definitely have funding for Phase 2 of the Phoebe pedagogic planner project  which will involve a lot more evaluation of what we have done up to now and development of additional functionality. There will also be a big evaluation of new developments in the autumn so if you are interested in taking part, do get in touch with the team now, through the project wiki.

Isthmus: Linking the personal and institutional in learning technologies

TALL have been awarded funding by JISC for the two year Isthmus project looking at integrating user owned technologies with formal learning environments.

This is something we are all very excited about as it will give us a chance to implement some of the things we have been talking about in TALL, especially giving students an online presence between and beyond courses, with the time to make sure we do what really works for our students.