JISC

The jury has returned its verdict on JISC’s online conference 2008, and the result is a very favourable one. JISC’s third ‘Innovating e-Learning’ conference ran from 4 – 7 November, attracting delegates from both further and higher education. Its rich programme featured live interactive sessions in Elluminate and the multi-user virtual learning environment, Second Life.

For many participants, the greatest buzz came from the contact with an online community that shares a common interest – enhancing the learning experience.

The conference evaluation report is now available online. It reveals that nearly 400 people participated, with 14 countries represented. Delegate feedback indicates that the conference papers and presentations especially were praised, with the innovative live sessions much appreciated. Overall, the event was considered to be ‘good value for money’ and ‘a fascinating experience’.

Learning in a digital age – are we prepared?

The theme of the 2008 conference was: Learning in a digital age – are we prepared? It supported a broad range of themes including the disruptive but equally enabling affordances of mobile technologies; the impact of Web 2.0 on the relationship between learners and teachers; achieving transformational change within institutions; and the importance of understanding learners’ strategies for effective learning. With a focus on the future for learning and teaching in a technology-rich, learner-empowered world, it was a feast for those interested in e-Learning pedagogy.

For many participants, the greatest buzz came from the contact with an online community that shares a common interest – enhancing the learning experience. It is this more than anything else that brings delegates back year on year to JISC’s Innovating e-Learning online event.

Comments from delegates

• ‘Overall, it was a great experience (if exhausting). If you have never been before, I would recommend it!’
• ‘Fantastic conference. Really liked the breadth and depth that was possible.’
• ‘For me, it is the most wonderful experience to be able to sit back and listen to so many knowledgeable people chatting away in such an accessible way about things I care about. I normally follow a number of mailing lists, blogs and social spaces, but being here is like having all that up-to-date information condensed and available at my fingertips.’

Presentations and papers from the conference are available here.
For further information, pelase contact JISC's Sarah Knight on s.knight@jisc.ac.uk
Read the initial report on JISC's online conference here