Theme 2 keynote: Becoming an edgeless university
e-Learning online conference 09 programme
Presentation and associated materials
Abstract
British universities have world-class reputations and they are vital to our social and economic future. But they are in a tight spot. The huge public investment that sustained much of the sector is in jeopardy and the current way of working is not sustainable. Universities face the pressures of maintaining standards, rising demand and strained resources. Some call it a ‘perfect storm’, predicting the end of the university as we have known it.
The Demos pamphlet Edgeless University argued that this can be a moment of rebirth for universities. Technology is changing these vital institutions as they become just one source among many for ideas, knowledge and innovation. But online tools and open access also offer the means for their survival. Their expertise and value is needed more than ever to validate and support learning and research. Through their institutional capital, universities can use technology to offer more flexible provision and open more equal routes to higher education and learning.
This talk presentation will set out three ways in which universities can benefit from embracing technology. First, by improving how teachers teach and students learn. Second, by communicating research and contributing to the intellectual commons in new ways. Third, by thinking of new ways to connect with the world of informal, non-institutional learning and research. This interactive talk will ask for participants’ help in identifying a vision for the ‘Edgeless University’, the challenges that stop us realising it, and what we can do to overcome them.
Presenter
Peter Bradwell
Peter Bradwell works at the independent think-tank Demos on the way that people share information and the impact of technology on society. Recently his research has focused on technology in higher education, health information, digital identity and digital rights, social networks and the value of personal information. He has co-authored a number of Demos pamphlets including The Edgeless University, The Video Republic, Network Citizens and FYI: The new politics of personal information. He also currently sits on the ethics panel for the EPSRC’s Digital Economy programme. He has a Masters degree with distinction in Critical Theory and Politics from the University of Nottingham.
Facilitator
Alan Clarke
Dr Alan Clarke BSc (Hons), CMIPD, MEd, PhD has been involved since 1982 with ICT and technology-enhanced learning in a wide range of roles including developer of government policy, researcher, investigator, implementator and teacher trainer. He was NIACE’s Associate Director for ICT and Learning for twelve years, previously working for the National Council for Educational Technology (now BECTA) and the UK Government’s Department for Education and Skills in the Learning Technology Unit. He has been a part-time tutor for the Open University for sixteen years supporting learners studying e-learning, Human Computer Interaction and undertaking research projects. His doctorate was on the design of computer-based Learning materials. He has been a member of the DfES Standard Unit’s expert group on ICT, the DfES ICT Skill for Life partners group and the Distributed Electronic Learning Group and he has also chaired the Adult and Community E-learning Strategy committee.
His experience has covered a wide range of organisations including Training and Enterprise Councils, employers, local and national training providers, community organisations, Further and Higher Education and Information and Communication Technology providers. He has written extensively on the use of ICT and learning with publications including:
- Designing Computer Based Learning, Gower, 2001
- Learning Organisations, NIACE, 2001
- Online Learning and Social Exclusion, NIACE, 2002
- IT Skills for Successful Study, Palgrave McMillan, 2005
-
ICT Skill for Life National Curriculum,
QCA, 2005
- Integrating ICT Skill for Life with Financial Education, NIACE, 2006
- New Clait 2006, Hodder and Stoughton, 2007
- New Clait Plus, Hodder and Stoughton, 2007
- E-learning – Top Ten Tips, Times Higher Education Supplement, May, 2007
- Independent Learner, Adults Learning, 2007
- ICT Skill for Life, Hodder Armold, 2007
- E-learning Skills, Second Edition, Palgrave McMillan, 2008
- The Minimum Core for Information and Communication Technology, Learning Matters, 2009
- E-learning in the Classroom, Lulu, 2009