Virtual worlds (referred to by some as multi-user virtual environments or MUVEs) have generated much attention and interest among tertiary education practitioners and researchers in recent years, with many universities and colleges making use of commercial platforms like Second Life or building customised platforms using open tools and resources to suit the particular needs of their staff and students. While a number of other journals have published special issues centred around the topic of virtual worlds in education (e.g. Bell, Savin-Baden & Ward, 2008; Chandler,
Collinson, Crellin & Duke-Williams, 2009; de Freitas & Veletsianos, 2010; Hunsinger & Krotoski, 2010; Rea, 2009; Salmon & Hawkridge, 2009; Steinkuehler & Squire, 2009; Twining, 2010), a noticeable majority of the articles published in those issues have emanated from the United Kingdom and United States. In recognition of the considerable innovation, experimentation and dialogue that has been taking place in the virtual worlds arena across the tertiary education sector in Australasia (see Dalgarno, Lee, Carlson, Gregory & Tynan, 2011 for a snapshot), this special issue called for contributions from within the Australasian region, as well as from those
farther afield able to position their work against the Australasian context. Articles were requested that addressed theory, research and practical issues related to the
use of the technology in both higher and vocational education.
AN ASSESSMENT OF ICT SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AT THE UNI...IJITE
The purpose of the study was to assess the ICT support for the students living with disabilities at The
University of Namibia. A qualitative methodology was used through the use of an in-depth face to face in
interview which was administered to 12 participants who were lectures and disabled students from the
University of Namibia disability Unity. The participants in the study were selected through the use of the
purposeful strategy. The study findings unveiled that PCs cell phones and internet, software programmes,
projectors and white boards, classroom televisions and radios downloaded app videos and braille’s and
hearing aids are some of the ICT equipment available for the students at living with disabilities at the
University of Namibia. The study also established that lack of training in administrators, lecturers and
disabled student who are in the disability unity of the University of Namibia in ICT equipment usage, lack
of technical support from the University, lack of ICT resources, lectures low content knowledge and limited
computer knowledge of the lectures for students living with disabilities are some of the challenges faced by
students living with disabilities at the University of Namibia. The study also found out that there is need for
management collaboration and support ICT resources for students living with disabilities. The study also
revealed that the provision of incentives to the lecturers teaching students with disabilities will improve the
lectures utilisation of ICT gadgets during the teaching of students living with disabilities at the University
of Namibia. In addition, the study also recommended that monitoring and evaluation of the ICT support for
the students living with disability need to be strengthened at the University of Namibia. Furthermore, the
study also recommended that there should be collaboration between the various educational stakeholders
in the provision of ICT support to students living with disabilities at the University of Namibia.
USE OF SOCRATIVE AS A TEACHING TOOL IN ANATOMY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICIJITE
On March 13th, 2020, in the middle of Semester 2, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona announced
the suspension of classes for one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within days most of the first- and
second-year medical students were back in their homes around the Caribbean. Resumption of online
teaching was scheduled for April 14th, 2020. This lecturer had been using a free online student response
system (SRS) called Socrative to set quizzes for his small Lab tutorial group since 2016 and decided to
upgrade to Socrative Pro which had multiple classrooms to set teaching quizzes for first- and second-year
medical students. At the end of the semester (2020.S2) a survey was done of 86 second-year medical
students. The overwhelmingly positive response of these students to these quizzes led to improvements and
continuation of these quizzes.
AN ASSESSMENT OF ICT SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES AT THE UNI...IJITE
The purpose of the study was to assess the ICT support for the students living with disabilities at The
University of Namibia. A qualitative methodology was used through the use of an in-depth face to face in
interview which was administered to 12 participants who were lectures and disabled students from the
University of Namibia disability Unity. The participants in the study were selected through the use of the
purposeful strategy. The study findings unveiled that PCs cell phones and internet, software programmes,
projectors and white boards, classroom televisions and radios downloaded app videos and braille’s and
hearing aids are some of the ICT equipment available for the students at living with disabilities at the
University of Namibia. The study also established that lack of training in administrators, lecturers and
disabled student who are in the disability unity of the University of Namibia in ICT equipment usage, lack
of technical support from the University, lack of ICT resources, lectures low content knowledge and limited
computer knowledge of the lectures for students living with disabilities are some of the challenges faced by
students living with disabilities at the University of Namibia. The study also found out that there is need for
management collaboration and support ICT resources for students living with disabilities. The study also
revealed that the provision of incentives to the lecturers teaching students with disabilities will improve the
lectures utilisation of ICT gadgets during the teaching of students living with disabilities at the University
of Namibia. In addition, the study also recommended that monitoring and evaluation of the ICT support for
the students living with disability need to be strengthened at the University of Namibia. Furthermore, the
study also recommended that there should be collaboration between the various educational stakeholders
in the provision of ICT support to students living with disabilities at the University of Namibia.
USE OF SOCRATIVE AS A TEACHING TOOL IN ANATOMY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMICIJITE
On March 13th, 2020, in the middle of Semester 2, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona announced
the suspension of classes for one month due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within days most of the first- and
second-year medical students were back in their homes around the Caribbean. Resumption of online
teaching was scheduled for April 14th, 2020. This lecturer had been using a free online student response
system (SRS) called Socrative to set quizzes for his small Lab tutorial group since 2016 and decided to
upgrade to Socrative Pro which had multiple classrooms to set teaching quizzes for first- and second-year
medical students. At the end of the semester (2020.S2) a survey was done of 86 second-year medical
students. The overwhelmingly positive response of these students to these quizzes led to improvements and
continuation of these quizzes.
Foxbox Retail's CompanyStore division provides Company Store solutions for brands. It manages all the aspect relating to company store including sourcing merchandise, managing inventory, designing and developing website, managing sale and handling logistics
UNIVERSO GASTRONÔMICO - edição 20 - HARMONIZAÇÕES.
Conceitos, dicas, informações úteis e curiosidades sobre as harmonizações entre comidas e bebidas.
As técnicas de harmonização por similaridade ou antagonismo e tudo o que torna uma experiência gastronômica mais prazerosa, pelas melhores combinações.
Harmonizações com vinhos, espumantes, cervejas, saquês, cervejas e mais.
Barriers and Enablers to the Use of Virtual Worlds in Higher Education: An Ex...Helen Farley
Three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds have been used for more than a decade in higher education for teaching
and learning. Since the 1980s, academics began using virtual worlds as an exciting and innovative new
technology to provide their students with new learning experiences that were difficult to provide any other way.
But since that time, virtual worlds have failed to maintain their popularity as learning spaces; many builds
falling into disuse and many disappearing altogether. The aim of this article is not only to determine why virtual
worlds have not become a mainstream teaching tool, but to ascertain why they have even failed to maintain their
popularity. In order to do this, the research team surveyed over 200 academics about the barriers and enablers to
the use and perceived affordances of virtual worlds in teaching and learning. These responses are examined in
relation to academics’ past, present and future use, experience and knowledge of virtual world environments.
Foxbox Retail's CompanyStore division provides Company Store solutions for brands. It manages all the aspect relating to company store including sourcing merchandise, managing inventory, designing and developing website, managing sale and handling logistics
UNIVERSO GASTRONÔMICO - edição 20 - HARMONIZAÇÕES.
Conceitos, dicas, informações úteis e curiosidades sobre as harmonizações entre comidas e bebidas.
As técnicas de harmonização por similaridade ou antagonismo e tudo o que torna uma experiência gastronômica mais prazerosa, pelas melhores combinações.
Harmonizações com vinhos, espumantes, cervejas, saquês, cervejas e mais.
Barriers and Enablers to the Use of Virtual Worlds in Higher Education: An Ex...Helen Farley
Three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds have been used for more than a decade in higher education for teaching
and learning. Since the 1980s, academics began using virtual worlds as an exciting and innovative new
technology to provide their students with new learning experiences that were difficult to provide any other way.
But since that time, virtual worlds have failed to maintain their popularity as learning spaces; many builds
falling into disuse and many disappearing altogether. The aim of this article is not only to determine why virtual
worlds have not become a mainstream teaching tool, but to ascertain why they have even failed to maintain their
popularity. In order to do this, the research team surveyed over 200 academics about the barriers and enablers to
the use and perceived affordances of virtual worlds in teaching and learning. These responses are examined in
relation to academics’ past, present and future use, experience and knowledge of virtual world environments.
Collaborating across institutional andjurisdictional boundar.docxpickersgillkayne
Collaborating across institutional and
jurisdictional boundaries: enabling the
emergence of a national innovation system
through public knowledge management
Richard Vines1,2
Michael Jones2 and
Gavan McCarthy2
1Department of Environment and Primary
Industries, Knoxfield, Victoria, Australia;
2eScholarship Research Centre, University of
Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Correspondence: Richard Vines, Department
of Environment and Primary Industries,
621 Burwood Highway, Knoxfield,
Victoria, VIC 3180.
E-mails: [email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected]
Abstract
Public institutions involved in research that aims to strengthen the productivity,
profitability and adaptiveness of industries face a multiplicity of challenges when
managing for the emergence of cost effective solutions to problems. We reflect
upon the learnings of a Government sponsored Visiting Fellow’s programme that
we describe as a knowledge management (KM) intervention within Australia’s
primary industries Research, Development and Extension (R, D and E) system. Our
central concern is to draw upon the learnings of an internet-based initiative in the
United States called eXtension to show how ‘traditional’ D and E activities can be
transformed. We argue that organisations and networks involved in such D and E
activities need to perceive themselves as belonging to systems that are socio-
technical in nature. That is, the development and deployment of cross-jurisdictional
and cross-institutional innovations are shaped by both the social interactions
between people and the systematic use of technology to support distributed
learning. We explain how the elements of an integrated model to support public
KM can be developed to create the conditions for enhanced innovation. Our
findings have relevance to a wide range of other industry sectors considering
contemporary service models involving public and private partnerships.
Knowledge Management Research & Practice (2015) 13(2), 187–197.
doi:10.1057/kmrp.2013.41; published online 19 August 2013
Keywords: agriculture; networks; knowledge management practice; explicit knowledge,
tacit knowledge; systems thinking
The online version of this article is available Open Access
A good sheep is a good sheep regardless of how you get there, but I don’t believe
in the figure world or picking a ram off a computer. … I’d rather put my trust in
looking at the sheep and seeing how it performs, than in some number dreamed
up by some scientists on a bit of paper. (Mr. Wal Merriman - Former President,
Australian Stud Merino breeders Association, cited in Neale, 2012)
Introduction
Organisations with responsibilities that mediate public and private interests
in Australian agriculture face a substantial knowledge challenge. Signifi-
cantly, a core element of this challenge is how to agree on, identify and
maintain ‘trusted knowledge’, including how knowledge is created, commu-
nicated and used to create and deploy innovations, solve.
Accessibility issues in the context of UK Open Educational Resources programmeakgruszczynska
This document addresses accessibility issues which emerged in the context of first and second phase of JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee)/ HEA (HIgher Education Academy) funded Open Educational Resource programme (UKOER programme).
Fostering Cross-institutional Collaboration for Open Educational Resources Pr...PiLNAfrica
Although there are over a quarter of a million open courses published by an increasing number of universities, it remains unclear whether Open Education Resources (OER) is scalable and productively sustainable. The challenge is compounded when OER is examined in the light of its potential to allow both educators and learners in developing countries to contribute geographically bound learning resources in the context of varied infrastructural, technological and skill constraints. Between October and December 2009, 52 participants involved in various roles related to Health OER from five universities (one in the USA, two in Ghana and two in South Africa) were interviewed. The aim of the study was to investigate sustainability of OER based on possible cross-institutional collaboration as well as social and technical challenges in creating and sharing OER materials. The analytical framework was adopted from prior research in related areas: distributed scientific collaboration; cyber infrastructure; open source development; and Wikipedia. We adopted a qualitative approach for data collection, which included semi structured interviews and document analysis. The findings were analyzed and reported with many direct quotations included. The outcome of the data analysis is a model for productive, scalable, and sustainable OER based on cross-institutional collaboration. The report concludes with practical recommendations on how to the model can be operationalized.
Fostering Cross-institutional Collaboration for Open Educational Resources Pr...Saide OER Africa
Although there are over a quarter of a million open courses published by an increasing number of universities, it remains unclear whether Open Education Resources (OER) is scalable and productively sustainable. The challenge is compounded when OER is examined in the light of its potential to allow both educators and learners in developing countries to contribute geographically bound learning resources in the context of varied infrastructural, technological and skill constraints. Between October and December 2009, 52 participants involved in various roles related to Health OER from five universities (one in the USA, two in Ghana and two in South Africa) were interviewed. The aim of the study was to investigate sustainability of OER based on possible cross-institutional collaboration as well as social and technical challenges in creating and sharing OER materials. The analytical framework was adopted from prior research in related areas: distributed scientific collaboration; cyber infrastructure; open source development; and Wikipedia. We adopted a qualitative approach for data collection, which included semi structured interviews and document analysis. The findings were analyzed and reported with many direct quotations included. The outcome of the data analysis is a model for productive, scalable, and sustainable OER based on cross-institutional collaboration. The report concludes with practical recommendations on how to the model can be operationalized.
Reviews past virtual development in Second Life by Dr. Eileen O'Connor and ways that this work will become available within the Master of Arts in Emerging Technology and Learning at Empire State College.
Beyond standards: reimagining acoustic design in prisonsHelen Farley
Drawing insights from the emerging field of sensory criminology, this paper delves into the distinctive
acoustic requirements within prisons, shedding light on the differences that exist between the acoustic
needs of incarcerated individuals and those outside the prison walls. The study emphasizes the crucial role
acoustics play in the daily experiences of both incarcerated individuals and corrections staff. Those in
prison rely on acoustics for communication and information gathering, while corrections staff use auditory
cues to assess the prevailing tension within the prison environment. The intricate dynamics of prison
cultures, often overlooked by acousticians, are brought to the forefront through the lens of sensory
criminology. This paper advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, suggesting that acousticians
collaborate with complementary disciplines to design spaces that encourage positive communication and
simultaneously address the risks associated with undesirable social dynamics. By integrating insights from
sensory criminology, acousticians can create purposeful designs that benefit both incarcerated individuals
and corrections staff, ensuring a well-informed and effective acoustic environment.
Introducing technology for learning in prisons: meeting challenges and realis...Helen Farley
Individuals responsible for the management and administration of prisons often show a willingness to adopt innovative technologies for operational efficiency. However, in cases where a choice must be made between prioritizing security measures and the rehabilitation of people in prison, the former tends to take precedence, sometimes at the expense of the latter. The emergence of COVID-19 lockdowns, which confined individuals to their cells for extended periods and disrupted educational programs, has prompted jurisdictions to reevaluate the advantages of educational technology. Drawing from our involvement in these kinds of initiatives, we present key insights to enrich this ongoing dialogue.
More than employment: The benefits of education in correctionsHelen Farley
It is easy to focus on how education prepares learners for employment upon release from custody. Yet the benefits go far beyond this. This presentation examines some of the changes we see in prisoners engaged with education.
Using emerging digital technology for learning in prisonsHelen Farley
Universities and other education institutions are increasingly turning to technology for the delivery of their courses and programmes. But what happens when their learners are incarcerated?
This presentation looks at neurodiversity within corrections in New Zealand. Neurodiversity is often viewed negatively, yet it is often the hallmark of original and creative thinkers.
Introducing digital technologies into prisons: Issues and challengesHelen Farley
• Working with jurisdictions to introduce technologies: Sceptics and advocates
• Winning hearts and minds: Working with custodial
• Security considerations: Learning what can be dangerous
• Third party security certifications
• What can go wrong and how to prevent it
• The role of dynamic security
• Making it sustainable
The role of education in reducing recidivismHelen Farley
In juvenile justice, detainees are often suffering from multiple layers of disadvantage. This presentation presents a potential project to help address some of these issues and help keep people out of detention.
Virtual Worlds in Higher Education: The Challenges, Expectations and DeliveryHelen Farley
Virtual worlds (VWs) are providing welcome opportunities for the development of innovative curricula for tertiary educators. These environments potentially allow them to give their students authentic learning experiences that resemble real life tasks and scenarios. In addition, virtual worlds are extremely useful when training students to perform tasks that are too expensive or dangerous to perform in real life (Adams, Klowden, & Hannaford, 2001). Well-designed simulations implemented in these environments can provide risk-averse and cost-effective simulations of authentic contexts that can facilitate optimal learning, especially when enhanced with the capability for tactile precision and haptic feedback.
This chapter, while acknowledging the enormous potential of virtual worlds for higher education, will investigate the range of challenges also associated with implementing these environments into curricula. These include the use of appropriate pedagogical models and the large learning curve for novice users. The chapter will conclude with a discussion of how these challenges can be mitigated, taking into account the latest technical developments in virtual worlds and associated hardware.
Evaluation of mobile teaching and learning projects, introductionHelen Farley
In the decade and a half since the beginning of the new millennium, mobile computing technologies have evolved rapidly, enabling increasingly sophisticated methods of communication and interaction. As a result of the incremental improvements in design, tendency towards reduced size, increased functionality, improvements in data storage capability, and the reliability and ubiquity of the networks that support them, mobile technologies are increasingly perceived as essential to the conduct of people’s everyday lives (Evans-Cowley, 2010).
Mobile learning initiatives in nursing educationHelen Farley
Mobile learning is a very exciting approach to learning that has the possibility of changing nursing education, providing learning to nurses when and where they need it and in a manner that will achieve positive learning outcomes. Coming from an apprenticeship model in the military, nurses have traditionally learnt by seeing and then doing. Mobile learning through means such as You Tube and augmented reality offer the best of this traditional way of learning combined with time and cost efficient means of technology use and greater theoretical knowledge. Reaching nurses in rural and isolated communities is also possible through these means. This is achieved through the use of SMS and online learning, that is able to be used at a time and place suitable for the nurse, enabling them to include learning within their lives in a way that suits them. Many isolated trials have occurred in nursing education over the years, starting with the use of PDA’s and although many have shown success there is not a great deal of research been conducted in the use of mobile education in nursing. Considering this research was conducted using a grounded theory approach that investigated nurse’s current use of mobile technology and their beliefs around mobile learning. The study also explored how and when nurses are undertaking continuing education, with the discovery of how they personally resource their learning. When looking at trials of mobile learning within nursing education, it is apparent from these trials and the study that nurses are ready for mobile learning and that mobile learning shows great potential as a method for education within the nursing profession.
Mobile learning in Southeast Asia: Opportunities and challengesHelen Farley
Mobile learning has been adopted to a varying extent across the countries of Southeast Asia. Though mobile learning initiatives in the UK, Europe, the United States and Australia are well-documented, much less in known is known about mobile learning initiatives in Southeast Asia. This region is culturally and economically diverse, containing both developed countries such as Singapore and developing countries including East Timor. This range of economic development means that the penetration of telecommunications technologies, including infrastructure to support mobile and internet networks, varies vastly and the extent to which this technology is used for learning, similarly varies. This chapter begins with an examination of the mobile device market penetration in the various countries of Southeast Asia and the particular demographics of those users. Internet censorship potentially will impact on mobile learning initiatives in some countries and this is examined briefly. The status of mobile learning in a cross-section of Southeast Asian countries will be examined, with a particular focus on government policies, critical infrastructure and notable mobile learning initiatives. The chapter concludes with a review of the enablers and barriers to mobile learning in Southeast Asia and a look at future directions.
Moving towards the effective evaluation of mobile learning initiatives in hig...Helen Farley
Mobile learning is viewed by many institutional leaders as the solution for a student cohort that is demanding an increasingly flexibility in study options. These students are fitting study around other aspects of their lives including work and caring responsibilities, or they are studying at a geographical location far removed from the university campus. With ubiquitous connectivity available in many parts of the world and with the incremental improvements in design and affordability of mobile devices, many students are using mobile technologies to access course materials and activities. Even so, there are relatively few formal mobile learning initiatives underway and even fewer evaluations of those initiatives. This is significant because without a rigorous evaluation of mobile learning, it is impossible to determine whether it provides a viable and cost-effective way of accessing courses for both the student and the institution. This chapter examines the broad groupings of uses for mobile devices for learning, before considering the evaluation frameworks that are currently in use. The characteristics, affordances and issues of these frameworks are briefly discussed. A project to develop a Mobile Learning Evaluation Framework is introduced, which will consider evaluation from four aspects: 1) Pedagogical (Learning); 2) Pedagogical (Teaching); 3) Technical; and 4) Organizational.
The healthcare industry is rapidly evolving in tandem with a demand for increased flexibility in the delivery of education in our fast-paced society. As a result, the passive reception of content by students, delivered by an expert from the front of the class, is becoming increasingly redundant. Students are now being taught, ubiquitous connectivity allowing widespread access to online materials (Collier, Gray, & Ahn, 2011). Programs such as nursing are often offered in an external, online delivery mode (Wright, 2013). Due to an increasingly aging population, healthcare is by far one of the fastest-growing industries, and graduate job seekers choosing to enter healthcare, will need to ensure they have developed sound digital literacies, particularly as they apply to professional communication. It is imperative that students develop and leverage emerging communication technologies as part of their portfolio prior to seeking employment (Clark, 2009; Hargittai & Litt, 2013).
Tarot is central to the philosophies of the New Age. If you look in any of the numerous popular books about tarot, you will read that ancient Egyptians encoded their secrets into these mysterious cards when they were threatened by brutal invaders. Yet others say that tarot were invented by the Gypsies, then thought to be Egyptians. Alas, neither of these theories are true!
This final volume of Religion, the Occult and the Paranormal is mostly concerned with how the supernatural is finding form in popular culture, in everyday life and among the youth with their apparently insatiable appetite for all that is different, macabre, alien or sitting outside of normal society. Film franchises based on paranormal themes are among the biggest grossing films of all time. The Harry Potter franchise appeals to both adults and children alike, as does the Lord of the Rings franchise. These movies are invariably released at holiday time so parents can take their children, buy them some themed merchandise and escort them to various dress-up events populated by hundreds of small Harry Potters and Hermione Grangers. Religious and supernatural ideas are integral to the appeal of these movies. Several chapters of this volume explore that unlikely relationship. The current also flows in the other direction with popular culture providing the stuff of emerging religions. Most are familiar with Jediism, drawing its inspiration from the Star Wars franchise and the noble ideals of the Jedi Knights.
The first volume of this series has equipped us with the methodological tools for examining the occult and paranormal. The second has shown us that these themes have been present since the earliest times. This third volume of the Religion, the Occult, and the Paranormal provides examples of some of the rich diversity of ideas, practices and groups engaged in various ways with these supernatural considerations. Occult practices and ideas around the paranormal are found within each of the major world religions, often in connection with the more mythical aspects of those traditions. Bibliomancy, or divination using books, thrives within many forms of Christianity, Islamic theology is resplendent with jinns that can intervene in everyday life, and no process is more mysterious than the divinatory practices that foretell the next Dalai Lama in the “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism. Some of the chapters presented herein will explore just some of those crevices in South Asian religions.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Biological screening of herbal drugs: Introduction and Need for
Phyto-Pharmacological Screening, New Strategies for evaluating
Natural Products, In vitro evaluation techniques for Antioxidants, Antimicrobial and Anticancer drugs. In vivo evaluation techniques
for Anti-inflammatory, Antiulcer, Anticancer, Wound healing, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective, Cardio protective, Diuretics and
Antifertility, Toxicity studies as per OECD guidelines
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
How to Make a Field invisible in Odoo 17Celine George
It is possible to hide or invisible some fields in odoo. Commonly using “invisible” attribute in the field definition to invisible the fields. This slide will show how to make a field invisible in odoo 17.
2. ii Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3)
For editorial inquiries, contact the Editor (retirement pending), Assoc Prof Catherine
McLoughlin, School of Education (ACT), Australian Catholic University, PO Box 256, Dickson
ACT 2602, Australia. Email: Catherine.McLoughlin@acu.edu.au, Tel: +61 2 6209 1100 Fax +61 2
6209 1185.
For review process, production, website and business matters, contact the Production Editor
(retirement pending), Dr Roger Atkinson, 5/202 Coode Street, Como WA 6152, Australia. Email:
rjatkinson@bigpond.com, Tel: +61 8 9367 1133. Desktop publishing (PDF versions) and HTML by
Roger Atkinson.
AJET is managed by a Committee comprising ASCILITE Executive nominees, the convenors or
nominees from previous ascilite Conferences, and AJET's previous editors and current senior
editorial staff (to be reconstituted in 2012-13). The current 2012 Management Committee members
are:
Dr Caroline Steel, The University of Queensland, ASCILITE President
Dr Iain Doherty, The University of Hong Kong, ASCILITE Executive
Professor Geoffrey Crisp, RMIT University, ASCILITE 2003 Convenor
Dr Rob Phillips, Murdoch University, ASCILITE 2004 Convenor
Professor Peter Goodyear, University of Sydney, ASCILITE 2006 Convenor
Dr Dale Holt, Deakin University, ASCILITE 2008 Convenor
Professor Ron Oliver, Edith Cowan University, AJET Editor 1997-2001
Assoc Prof Catherine McLoughlin (Editor - retirement pending), Australian Catholic Uni
Dr Roger Atkinson (Production Editor - retirement pending)
AJET's Editorial Board (see http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/about/editorial-board.html)
reflects the journal's commitment to academic excellence in educational technology and related
areas of research and professional practice, our vision of an international journal with an
Australasian regional emphasis, and our origins as a professional and learned society
publication.
Australasian Society for Computers
in Learning in Tertiary Education
http://www.ascilite.org.au/
http://www.ascilite.org.au/index.php?p=conference
3. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3) iii
Editorial 28(3): Preface to the Special issue
Mark J. W. Lee,
Charles Sturt University and University of New England
Barney Dalgarno
Charles Sturt University
Helen Farley
University of Southern Queensland
Editors, Special issue - Virtual worlds in tertiary education: An Australasian
perspective
Virtual worlds (referred to by some as multi-user virtual environments or MUVEs)
have generated much attention and interest among tertiary education practitioners
and researchers in recent years, with many universities and colleges making use of
commercial platforms like Second Life or building customised platforms using open
tools and resources to suit the particular needs of their staff and students. While a
number of other journals have published special issues centred around the topic of
virtual worlds in education (e.g. Bell, Savin-Baden & Ward, 2008; Chandler,
Collinson, Crellin & Duke-Williams, 2009; de Freitas & Veletsianos, 2010;
Hunsinger & Krotoski, 2010; Rea, 2009; Salmon & Hawkridge, 2009; Steinkuehler &
Squire, 2009; Twining, 2010), a noticeable majority of the articles published in those
issues have emanated from the United Kingdom and United States. In recognition of
the considerable innovation, experimentation and dialogue that has been taking
place in the virtual worlds arena across the tertiary education sector in Australasia
(see Dalgarno, Lee, Carlson, Gregory & Tynan, 2011 for a snapshot), this special issue
called for contributions from within the Australasian region, as well as from those
farther afield able to position their work against the Australasian context. Articles
were requested that addressed theory, research and practical issues related to the
use of the technology in both higher and vocational education.
The following definition of a 'virtual world' was adopted for the purposes of this
special issue:
A computer-based, simulated environment in which users are able to immerse
themselves, and within which they are able to, through their avatars (computer-based
representations of themselves or alternative selves), experience, manipulate, interact
with and/or create virtual objects and places that are graphically depicted in three
dimensions. The objects and places within a virtual world may be modelled according
to those in the real world or may be fantasy based. Most current virtual world
applications allow for multiple users and include facilities that enable users to
communicate and interact with one another within the virtual environment. (Lee, 2010,
cited in Dalgarno et al., 2011, p. 2)
The articles that have been selected for publication in this issue include reports of
empirical studies as well as conceptual articles that engage deeply and thoughtfully
with pertinent questions and issues from a pedagogical, socio-cultural or
philosophical standpoint. Some of the articles describe evaluations of innovative
applications of virtual worlds designed to solve pedagogical problems within
particular discipline contexts, some focus on more widely applicable pedagogical
4. iv Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3)
issues, while still others highlight even broader issues that need to be considered
when evaluating, adopting, implementing and using virtual worlds for tertiary
education purposes.
The two opening articles focus on the ways in which virtual worlds have been able to
be used to achieve pedagogical goals within specific discipline contexts. The first of
these, by Des Butler of the Queensland University of Technology (Australia),
describes the way in which case studies incorporating narrated machinima generated
from Second Life environments were used to supply authentic contexts and anchors
upon which to base student learning of legal ethics and professional responsibility.
Results of evaluations presented within the article attest to the effectiveness of such
approaches as an alternative to traditional instructional approaches commonly seen
in the discipline of law.
The second article, by Michael Henderson, Hui Huang and Scott Grant of Monash
University (Australia) and Lyn Henderson of James Cook University (also in
Australia), reports on the results of research exploring the degree to which lessons in
Second Life were able to improve Chinese language learners' beliefs about their
efficacy in the language. The studied lessons involved students undertaking
collaborative tasks in a simulated Chinese restaurant setting. The results are
indicative of a strong positive impact on student self-efficacy beliefs, and moreover
suggest that virtual world experiences can be particularly valuable when they
address gaps in students' real-world experiences.
The next three articles deal with pedagogical and design issues applicable in a range
of discipline contexts. Sue Gregory and Yvonne Masters from the University of New
England (Australia) present results from trials of the use of face to face and virtual
world-based role-plays with on campus and distance education cohorts of teacher
education students. Comparisons of results across the two versions of the activity
suggest that the virtual world-based role-plays were comparable to the face-to-face
role-plays on a number of engagement measures, and that the virtual world-based
role-plays were particularly well received by distance students for whom they
provided learning opportunities not normally afforded.
The article by Swee-Kin Loke, Phil Blyth and Judith Swan of the University of
Otago (New Zealand) tells of how Otago School of Medicine students
collaboratively resolved open-ended clinical cases within the context of scenarios
explored through an OpenSim-based virtual hospital environment. Analysis of data
captured in-world demonstrates the degree to which certain dispositions -
specifically, compassion and open-mindedness - are evident in the students' discourse
and behaviour. The conceptual framework and methodological approach proposed
by Loke et al. are likely to be usable in many practice-based education contexts where
there is a need to assess student performance in realistic scenarios situated in a
virtual world.
Next, Denise Wood of the University of South Australia and Julie Willems of
Monash University (again, from Australia) report on a study that aimed to identify
the accessibility-related shortcomings in existing virtual world client programs
5. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3) v
(viewers), and then to design and develop a new viewer addressing those
shortcomings. In their article, they detail the process used to arrive at a set of 15
design guidelines for accessible virtual world viewers, and provide descriptions and
illustrations of the features of Phoenix, the prototype viewer developed, along with
the results of initial formative evaluations. They conclude with guidelines for
educators in terms of strategies for increasing participation of learners with
disabilities in virtual world activities. This work is especially relevant against the
backdrop of the current policy landscape, in which widening participation is high on
the agendas of many governments, including those of Australia and New Zealand.
The remaining three articles 'zoom out' to bigger-picture issues related to the use of
virtual worlds in tertiary education, namely the development process, sustainability
of developed worlds, and 'frames of reference' to take into account when attempting
to understand virtual world adoption and use by students and staff. The first of these
is by Sarah Stewart of Otago Polytechnic (New Zealand) and Deborah Davis of the
University of Canberra (Australia), who, in their article, provide coverage of the
issues involved in ensuring that virtual world educational initiatives are
sustainable. In the article, the authors reflect on their involvement in the Second
Life Education in New Zealand (SLENZ) project, in particular their experience with
the SLENZ midwifery education initiative that gave rise to the widely publicised
and well-known Virtual Birth Centre (VBC) environment in Second Life. The VBC is
used as a case study of a project and environment that, despite being backed by
positive evaluation data supporting its value, has now ceased operation at its two
host institutions. The reasons for this are examined in terms of a particular
sustainability framework.
The article by Margaret Wegener, Timothy McIntyre and Dominic McGrath of The
University of Queensland (Australia) and Craig Savage and Michael Williamson of
The Australian National University describes the process used to design, develop
and evaluate a 3D virtual physics environment to aid student understanding of
special relativity. Perhaps the biggest take-home message from this article is the
importance of allowing for multiple iterations of evaluation and refinement of the
environment and associated learning activities within the project plan, with
evidence presented of noticeable improvements in evaluation results across each
iteration.
The final article, by Katherine Wimpenny, Maggi Savin-Baden, Matt Mawer,
Nicole Steils and Gemma Tombs from Coventry University (UK), draws on data from
three British studies exploring the adoption of virtual worlds in higher education -
encompassing projects spanning eight disciplines - to derive, through a process termed
'grounded synthesis', three distinct frames of reference through which to understand
the adoption process. The three frames of reference, 'understandings of games and
gaming media', 'disciplinary learning' and 'institutional space and ownership',
along with the issues emerging within each, are likely to be helpful in better
understanding higher educators' virtual world learning design decisions. Throughout
their article, the authors present their findings in relation to UK and European
perspectives at large, comparing and contrasting as they go with those originating
from Australasia and the wider Asia Pacific.
6. vi Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3)
It is hoped that the eight articles that comprise this special issue collectively make
a worthwhile contribution to research knowledge about the ways in which virtual
worlds can be used effectively for tertiary teaching and learning, and that they will
add to the scholarly discourse as well as serve as a driver for further studies on the
topic in the Australasian region and beyond. In addition, it is hoped that tertiary
educators will find the collection of articles useful in their quest to successfully
navigate the virtual world terrain, and as they strive to find new and creative ways
to use the technology to target needs emerging within their own institutions and
disciplines.
References
Bell, F., Savin-Baden, M. & Ward, R. (Eds) (2008). Learning and teaching in immersive virtual
worlds [Special issue]. ALT-J, Research in Learning Technology, 16(3).
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=g906960349
Chandler, J., Collinson, T., Crellin, J. & Duke-Williams, E. (2009). Using virtual worlds for
teaching and learning [Special issue]. ITALICS, 8(3).
http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/italics/vol8iss3.htm
Dalgarno, B., Lee, M. J. W., Carlson, L., Gregory, S. & Tynan, B. (2011). An Australian and New
Zealand scoping study on the use of 3D immersive virtual worlds in higher education.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(1), 1-15.
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet27/dalgarno.html
de Freitas, S. & Veletsianos, G. (Eds) (2010). Crossing boundaries: Learning and teaching in
virtual worlds [Special issue]. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(1).
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.2010.41.issue-1/issuetoc
Hunsinger, J. & Krotoski, A. (Eds) (2010). Learning and researching in virtual worlds [Special
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[Special issue]. Journal of Information Systems Education, 2(2).
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Editors, Special issue: Mark J.W. Lee
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
Email: malee@csu.edu.au Web: http://csusap.csu.edu.au/~malee/
Mark has extensive teaching, management and consulting experience in both the higher
education and vocational education sectors. He has published widely in the fields of
educational technology, e-learning and pedagogical innovation, with close to 60
refereed publications to his name. His book, Web 2.0-based e-learning: Applying social
informatics for tertiary teaching, co-edited with Catherine McLoughlin, was published
by Information Science Reference in July 2010. With Barney and colleagues from other
universities, Mark is currently working on a Distance Education Hub (DEHub)-funded
scoping study on the use of virtual worlds for learning and teaching in Australian and
7. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3) vii
New Zealand higher education institutions, as well as an Australian Learning and
Teaching Council (ALTC)-funded project on the use of media-rich synchronous
technologies (including but not limited to virtual worlds) for involving on-campus and
distributed students in real-time collaborative learning activities. Among his other
research interests are teacher beliefs about learning, teaching and technology, digital
games and simulations for learning, and educational uses of mobile and ubiquitous
computing tools. Mark is Editor of the MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and
Teaching (JOLT) and an Associate Editor of both the IEEE Transactions on Education
and the International Journal of Games and Computer-Mediated Simulations. He also
serves on the editorial boards of 15 other international journals.
Associate Professor Barney Dalgarno, Sub-Dean, Learning and Teaching
Faculty of Education, Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Australia
Email: bdalgarno@csu.edu.au Web: http://csusap.csu.edu.au/~bdalgarn/
Barney's PhD research (completed in 2004 at the University of Wollongong) examined
the characteristics of 3D environments and their potential contributions to spatial
learning. His current interests include the educational affordances of 3D virtual
learning environments as well as the application of constructivist theories to
technology-facilitated learning design, critical exploration of the impact of generational
changes on learners, learning and learning technologies, and the use of functional brain
imaging to explore interactivity and cognition. On top of being honoured with a number
of research and teaching grants, he has received national recognition through awards
for innovative teaching and learning design using leading-edge technologies. Barney is
leading the DEHub scoping study on virtual worlds in Australian and New Zealand
higher education and is also part of two ALTC-funded virtual worlds-related projects,
one of which is the aforementioned project with Mark on the use of media-rich
synchronous technologies. Barney is an editorial board member of Distance Education
(the official journal of ODLAA, the Open and Distance Learning Association of
Australia) and previously served on the ascilite Executive.
Dr Helen Farley, Senior Lecturer and Mission Leader (Mobility)
Australian Digital Futures Institute (ADFI), University of Southern Queensland
West Street, Toowoomba QLD 4350, Australia
Email: helen.farley@usq.edu.au Web: http://apps.usq.edu.au/StaffSearch/
default.aspx?staffsearchaction=showdetails&staffsearchrecordid=3362
Helen is an interdisciplinary research academic with significant experience in diverse
fields, including architecture, veterinary science, journalism, philosophy and studies in
religion. She has practical experience in curriculum design, teaching large classes in
innovative learning and teaching spaces, and enhancing the first-year university
experience. Before taking up her current position, her title at ADFI was Lecturer
(Virtual Worlds), and before that she worked as a Research Fellow in the Centre for
Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) at the University of Queensland (UQ)
and a Lecturer in Higher Education with UQ's Teaching and Educational Development
Institute (TEDI). Helen is a pioneer in the use of virtual worlds in the Australian
education context - her Second Life project, UQ Religion Bazaar, has been nominated for
many awards and has attracted significant national and international media attention.
Other than Second Life, Helen has worked with Twinity, OpenSim and Open
Wonderland, and she is also investigating the use of haptic interfaces and the
facilitation of authentic 3D movement in virtual environments. In her current role, she is
responsible for both research and academic staff development with regard to the use of
virtual worlds and other educational technologies.
The Special issue Editors are members of the Australian and New Zealand Virtual
Worlds Working Group (http://www.virtualworldsworkinggroup.wikispaces.com/).
In February 2010, they delivered an online seminar entitled What 'Avatar' can teach us
about immersion and presence in virtual worlds as part of the ascilite Webinar Series.
Members of ascilite can view an archive of the webinar in the ascilite Community Hub
(http://hub.ascilite.org.au/).
8. viii Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 2012, 28(Special issue, 3)
Please cite as: Lee, M. J. W., Dalgarno, B. & Farley, H. (2012). Editorial 28(3): Preface
to the Special issue. In M. J. W. Lee, B. Dalgarno & H. Farley (Eds), Virtual worlds in
tertiary education: An Australasian perspective. Australasian Journal of Educational
Technology, 28(Special issue, 3), iii-viii.
http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet28/editorial28-3.html