Some real data on Web 2.0 use

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As part of the JISC funded ‘SPIRE’ project we ran a survey to try to discover which online services people were using and in what manner. We were interested to find out which services were popular and if they were being used for work, for study or socially / for fun. The SPIRE project was originally looking into the possibility of using peer-to-peer technologies in UK HE and FE for informal sharing but switched to a more Web 2.0 focus as it became clear that these types of services were already having an impact on the tertiary education sector. They also appear to be where most of the informal sharing and collaboration is currently taking place online.

The survey was advertised to the Department for Continuing Education’s online students and on the online courses marketing pages. We received circa 1400 responses which left us with a lot of data to analyse. I have processed this data in to a number of colorful charts which are in the PDF below.

I have already drawn a number of conclusions from these charts but have not included these thoughts in the PDF as I would be interested to know what others think the data might mean.

Results of the survey undertaken by the JISC funded SPIRE project (PDF)

For the full analysis of this data please download the final report here:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/digitalrepositories/spiresurvey.pdf

Pedagogy Experts Group

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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.

So many services, so little time…

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At TALL we’re particularly interested in how the many forms of online collaboration might be used in education and educational institutions such as our own, and currently have a couple of projects touching the subject: SPIRE and Isthmus.

There has been something of an explosion of these services over the last few years, producing photo hosting, calendaring, bookmarking, mapping, and blogging sites just for starters. With so many of these various services to consider, we need a list of what they all are, and how they compare, complement, and compete with each other… and which ones should I use!?

Here are a couple of sites listing these services:

Here’s a quick selection of those that easily come to mind…
Identity/authentication/login

  • OpenID
  • LID
  • Yadis

Reputation/profile

  • ClaimID
  • Mugshot
  • Last.fm
  • jyte
  • myspace
  • facebook
  • http://twitter.com/

Photo hosting

  • Flickr
  • Zoomr

Blogging/journals

  • Blogger
  • WordPress
  • LiveJournal

News/aggregation

  • Digg
  • Bloglines
  • Google feeds

Bookmarking

  • del.icio.us
  • Ma.gnolia
  • Stumbleupon

Meeting/calendaring

  • iCal
  • Renkoo
  • planyp.us

Some provide multiple services, e.g. many profile services such as myspace provide some form of journal facility.

Phoebe – Phase 2

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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

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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.

Online materials and materials science: The experience of developing an online course in Nanotechnology

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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

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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.