A European Sakai Community Three tasks to address Jon Lanestedt and Susanne Koch Lübeck, September 7 2006

The University of Oslo Some key figures Founded 1811 and the largest University in Norway 30 000+ students 4 570 faculty and staff 8 Faculties 44 Departments 25 Interdiciplinary Research Centers 2 Museums University Library

Founded 1811 and the largest University in Norway

30 000+ students

4 570 faculty and staff

8 Faculties

44 Departments

25 Interdiciplinary Research Centers

2 Museums

University Library

The Educational Technology Group Permanent unit within the central university IT-center. Mission: To actively contribute to processes of pedagogical innovation by providing technological solutions integrated in teaching and learning. Coordination of central IT efforts in the area of ICT-supported teaching and learning .

Permanent unit within the central university IT-center.

Mission: To actively contribute to processes of pedagogical innovation by providing technological solutions integrated in teaching and learning.

Coordination of central IT efforts in the area of ICT-supported teaching and learning .

Sakai at the University of Oslo We have just started Sakai members since April 2006 Attended the Sakai conference in Vancouver Planning a pilot for next semester Interested in European perspective on LMS and Sakai

We have just started

Sakai members since April 2006

Attended the Sakai conference in Vancouver

Planning a pilot for next semester

Interested in European perspective on LMS and Sakai

Why a European Sakai Community? Exactly why do we need a European sub-community of this US initiative?

Exactly why do we need a European sub-community of this US initiative?

First, why not The winning point of the Sakai initiative is not that it is open source. Open source is a means, not a goal. Also, we don’t want to be cheerleaders for yet another LMS. We need to relate to educational realities, to solve real problems , deal with real challenges.

The winning point of the Sakai initiative is not that it is open source. Open source is a means, not a goal.

Also, we don’t want to be cheerleaders for yet another LMS. We need to relate to educational realities, to solve real problems , deal with real challenges.

European factors We have some European perspectives and positions which American academia doesn’t automatically share, due to history, culture, politics and more. Particular European educational challenges European worldview and mind set These are related to the very activities which we may potentially support with Sakai (learning, teaching, collaboration, higher education as a common good, etc.).

We have some European perspectives and positions which American academia doesn’t automatically share, due to history, culture, politics and more.

Particular European educational challenges

European worldview and mind set

These are related to the very activities which we may potentially support with Sakai (learning, teaching, collaboration, higher education as a common good, etc.).

A European network We can promote our unique European perspectives and address the European challenges by: Coordinating European Sakai endeavours within a regional network. Coordinating the development and exchange of Sakai tools relevant to European concerns .

We can promote our unique European perspectives and address the European challenges by:

Coordinating European Sakai endeavours within a regional network.

Coordinating the development and exchange of Sakai tools relevant to European concerns .

Task 1 A cornerstone of a European Sakai community should be a common set of European challenges and ideas about pedagogy and education , as opposed to (or with a different focus than) an American one. We need to identify what these challenges are.

A cornerstone of a European Sakai community should be a common set of European challenges and ideas about pedagogy and education , as opposed to (or with a different focus than) an American one.

We need to identify what these challenges are.

European Challenges The Bologna Process and EU’s Lisbon Process These processes have serious pedagogical implications. They both involve educational practices and technology at the local, institutional level (where LMS such as Sakai live). They also affect the regional level, where inter-institutional collaboration and resource sharing take place (like a European Sakai Community).

The Bologna Process and EU’s Lisbon Process

These processes have serious pedagogical implications.

They both involve educational practices and technology at the local, institutional level (where LMS such as Sakai live).

They also affect the regional level, where inter-institutional collaboration and resource sharing take place (like a European Sakai Community).

Task 2 We must ask ourselves: Does the Sakai framework currently or potentially help us better than, say, Blackboard , and why?

We must ask ourselves:

Does the Sakai framework currently or potentially help us better than, say, Blackboard , and why?

How well does Sakai… support life-long learning … support our students in collaborative activities in accordance with constructivist views … support the development and management of knowledge bases and collective memories for work groups… orchestrate various forms of formative evaluation (and thereby develop reflective citizens)… provide powerful collections of interoperative leaning tools and services to our students on and off campus…

support life-long learning …

support our students in collaborative activities in accordance with constructivist views …

support the development and management of knowledge bases and collective memories for work groups…

orchestrate various forms of formative evaluation (and thereby develop reflective citizens)…

provide powerful collections of interoperative leaning tools and services to our students on and off campus…

Task 3 If we have convincingly dealt with tasks one and two, how do we format, maintain and cultivate the network?  Do we need any formal apparatus or agreements?  Do we need any secretariat or coordinating body? Do we need any events, journals, etc., to develop community values? (Like this excellent conference!) Should we collectively apply for EU funding to do some major project?

If we have convincingly dealt with tasks one and two, how do we format, maintain and cultivate the network?

 Do we need any formal apparatus or agreements?

 Do we need any secretariat or coordinating body?

Do we need any events, journals, etc., to develop community values? (Like this excellent conference!)

Should we collectively apply for EU funding to do some major project?

Thank you for your attention! [email_address]

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