Monday, January 09, 2006

Innovations in the Reuse of Electronic Learning Materials: Drivers and Challenges This keynote talk by Derek Morrison (Auricle) at the Cambridge-MIT Conference about electronic learning materials covers a number of interesting points. "My Challenges ... considered the following: Technology can easily become an innovative way of not changing. Reusable learning materials do not by themselves make for deep learning. Technologies increasingly tend to determine practice not vice versa. Are we acknowledging the Reusability Paradox? Does the iPod Generation want a 'filling station' not a streaming source? The impact of domestic broadband and wireless on the office and lecture theatre? The uptake and impact of ‘grassroots standards’? Distributed, decentralized self-organizing systems versus the centralized mega repository? User expectations/rights versus the ‘lock in’ or ‘lock-out’ business model. The growing relevance/importance of user-generated content. Free services and tools with massive user uptake." Morrison's challenges are worth reviewing--and, he provides many links to expand the reviews. _____JH ___________ Conference Overview: A broad and expanding spectrum of electronic learning materials is currently in use in universities, industry and other settings. These materials have the potential to transform education, but there are countless ways that reality may end up falling short of this potential. The aim of this conference is to identify a path toward a world in which the sharing of innovative learning materials is both commonplace and effective. We have the following goals, to: Identify Enablers and Barriers in the Reuse of Electronic Learning Materials Link Innovations in Reuse with Communities of Practice _______   8:22:30 AM    COMMENT []