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.
Category Archives: news
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.
New online courses
TALL is continually developing its range of online courses for the Department. Visit the online course directory for further information about our courses.
SPHERE
June 2005 to April 2007
TALL is working on the development of a multimedia eLearning solution to deliver training on the Sphere humanitarian charter and minimum standards in disaster response to humanitarian workers around the world. This exciting new project is in conjunction with Forced Migration Online and RedR India.
Online materials and materials science: The experience of developing an online course in Nanotechnology
On Wednesday 7th March 2007, Deborah Goodbody, Project Manager (TALL), will be presenting at the Digital Projects in Oxford series of informal talks organised by the OUCS Learning Technologies Group.
The talk will focus, firstly, on the challenges of developing an online programme in such a fast-moving field and with such technical complexity as nanotechnology.
Secondly, it will look at supporting the student learning experience in an online environment, particularly through the use of Adobe Breeze to deliver online ‘tutorials’.
For more information see Digital Projects in Oxford.
New courses launched today
NEW! Introduction to Political Philosophy: Introducing the student to classic and contemporary texts in the context of approaching some central questions in political philosophy. The course examines the justification of the state, problems of democracy, liberty, justice, and feminist theory. Participants are guided through the thought of various classical and contemporary thinkers, in both primary and secondary readings.
NEW! Philosophy of Religion: This course helps participants to think clearly about the following questions:- What, if anything, is it that Jews, Christians, and Muslims are agreeing about when they join in claiming that there is a God; and what, if any, prospects are there for rationally defending or attacking this claim? This course appeals to everyone interested in thinking clearly about their own religious beliefs (if any) and those of others. The course is intended to be accessible to people who have not studied Philosophy before, even informally.
Courses launched today
Learning to look at the Visual Arts: During this course students learn to look at paintings, prints and drawings from a more analytical and objective point of view. By the end of the course they are able to use visual vocabulary to appreciate art. Active online discussions centre around aspects such as composition, space, form, tone, colour, subject matter and visual techniques.
Learning to look at Western Architecture: This course enables students to ‘read’ the architecture of the Western world in a critically informed way. Students learn to recognise and differentiate between the major architectural styles of the western tradition – and thus gain a greater understanding of the way that buildings are built, and why they look the way they do.
Northern Renaissance Art c1480-1580: Complementing ‘Learning to look at the Visual Arts, this course covers European art and artists from between 1480 and 1580, introducing students to the world of the Northern Renaissance.
Arts of India: Students learn about the main developments in the history of South Asian art in this period, including Buddhist and Hindu architecture and sculpture, paintings and architecture from the Rajput and Mughal courts, and the impact of European colonialism. They also examine the religious, ritual, social and political contexts in which these buildings and objects were made and used.
Courses launched today
Introduction to Philosophy: Even as our knowledge continually expands, philosophical questions asked since the time of the Ancient Greek philosophers continue to perplex us. This course offers the opportunity to explore four topics in philosophy – knowledge, reality, free will and morality.
Philosophy Gym: Based on the popular book of the same name, this course introduces students to philosophy by means of a number of intriguing puzzles on such subjects as Does God exist? and Is time travel possible?
Philosophy of Mind: The philosophy of mind is one of the most exciting areas within philosophy. It is concerned with questions about the nature of mind and the relation between our minds and the physical world.
The Phoebe Project
The JISC-funded Phoebe project is nearing the end of its first phase. TALL will be demonstrating the prototype tool at the Design for Learning Programme meeting on the 23-24th January in Birmingham.
Innovative online course in Nanotechnology
The Fundamental Science of Nanotechnology is the second module of the Postgraduate Certificate in Nanotechnology developed and delivered entirely online by TALL. The module is an in-depth exploration of the science of nanotechnology for professionals with a background in the physical sciences. The course is pioneering the use of Adobe Breeze to hold online ‘tutorials’ netween tutors and students on a weekly basis. Module 3, Fundamental Characterisation for Nanotechnology begins on 12 March 2007.