If you have any comments and/or contributions to make, please send them...

• ...using the Online Comment/Feedback Form or
• ...email the editor John Dalziel at support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk
  

The Regional Support Centre eMagazine provides news of funding, current projects, initiatives and examples of good practice in eLearning, and offers ideas and support for the HE, FE, ACL, 6th Form and Specialist College Managers & Practitioners, that are supported by the RSC here in the Northwest.

"I've downloaded some excellent software from this site" (John Dalziel eLearning Adviser)

The course focuses on several key areas relating to age discrimination. Specifically, it

• defines age discrimination
• explains the legal aspects of the age discrimination Regulations
• explains how the Regulations affect recruitment and existing employees
• explains the exception and exemptions of the Regulations
• describes the process for enabling a fair retirement

Note: New users must register first before being able to access secure content.

Acas provide ten free e-learning packages to help individuals and businesses on:

1. Bullying and harassment
2. Contracts and written statements
3. Discipline and grievance
4. Information and consultation
5. Managing absence
6. Redundancy handling
7. Religion or belief
8. Sexual orientation
9. Working parents
10. Age discrimination

To access the acas e-learning packages click goto http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=346

Summary: In December 2007 The RNIB will be presenting the Prime Minister with a compilation of audio diaries with accounts of the real difference the receipt of higher rate mobility allowance would make to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

To find out

• Why the RNIB need your audio diary?
• How to keep an audio diary? and
• What blind and partially sighted people should do with their completed diary?

Go to: http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_dladiary.hcsp

• Friday 26th October 2007

The Public Value of adult learning: who benefits?

• Tuesday 30 October 2007

Speaking and Listening conference

• Tuesday-Wednesday 30th-31st October 2007

Futurelab autumn conference

• Wednesday 7th November 2007

ICT Conference: The Essential Skills for the 21st Century

• Thursday 29th November 2007
  

  Annual Mental Health Conference

• Thursday 6th December 2007

Engaging with research: developing a new future

Venue: Britannia Hotel, Fairfax Street, Coventry CV1 5RP

Public Value is an emerging conceptual framework, which applied to the learning and skills sector, attempts to encapsulate a broader recognition of the value of adult learning. In the UK, Public Value is currently being explored by people working in a number of public policy fields including

• health,
  
• policing,
  
• culture and sustainable communities, as well as
  
• learning and skills.
  

It offers a framework for those involved in providing public services to:

• engage with their stakeholders
• understand the needs and preferences of the public they serve
• plan, deliver and evaluate the impact of services through on-going involvement with users and stakeholders.

The relationship between economic competitiveness and social inclusion is complex. The argument that a strong economy can support social goals should not disguise the fact that there may be different ways of prioritising investment in learning and skills. For many adult learners the motivation to learn stems from:

• a desire to help their families
• get involved in cultural activities
• improve their confidence
• develop broad-based employability skills
• help out in their communities.

Participants at this joint WEA /NIACE conference will have the opportunity to:

• find out more about and contribute to the on-going campaign to promote the Public Value of adult learning
• learn from a selection of case studies of good practice about what works in securing public value in adult learning
• learn about the findings from the Wider Benefits of Learning Research Centre
• find out about how leaders in the adult learning sector can help to create public value;
• consider the role of learners as 'social innovators' for adult learning.

The conference workshops will offer an opportunity to explore dimensions of public value in adult learning through case study examples that illustrate:

• wider benefits of learning, for example, in relation to health and wellbeing, community safety, civic engagement and social cohesion, and economic regeneration
• the impact of learning on individuals, families, and communities;
• what Public Value means for learners, and its implications for leadership, partnership working, and curriculum development.

This conference will be of interest to:

• Adult Learners
• Awarding Bodies
• Employers
• FE Colleges
• Government Offices
• Higher Education Institutions
• Information, Advice and Guidance Providers
• Jobcentre Plus
• Learning and Skills Council
• Learning Partnerships
• Local Authorities
• Local Strategic Partnerships
• National, regional and local policy makers
• Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Regional Development Agencies
• Regional Skills Partnerships
• Sector Skills Councils
• Trades Unions
• Unionlearn
• Voluntary and Community Sector organisations
• WEA members

Arrival and Registration is at 9.45am. The conference ends at 3.30pm.

Conference Fee: £215 (The fee includes lunch, tea/coffee)

For further details and to reserve a place, look up:http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; e-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

 

Speaking and Listening are the tools which build closer families, confident communities and contribute to an effective and vibrant economy

Tuesday 30 October 2007
Queen Elizabeth ll Conference Centre, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE

The Alliance for Lifelong Learning has been formed to take forward and develop the work of the Basic Skills Agency at NIACE, in partnership with Tribal, and to ensure that issues of

• literacy,
  
• language and
  
• numeracy,
  

across all ages, are kept high on everyone s agenda. The splitting of the Department for Education and Skills into two departments has made this even more pertinent there is a need for a body which encourages working across the pre- and post-16 divide, which understands that research, policy and practice in both sectors impacts upon the other.

We know that:

• employers are increasingly worried not only about the literacy, language and numeracy skills of young people joining the workforce but about their communication skills
• health and social workers are concerned about communication within families
• teachers in schools are under increasing pressure to develop the speaking and listening skills of their pupils
• teachers in the FE sector are continuingly exploring how they can assess, and then develop the skills of adults.

There is much to learn from across the phases of learning, in order to ensure continuing development.

By attending the event, participants will have the opportunity to:

• hear from leading specialists about current research, policy and practice and to engage in moving forward the thinking in this relatively underdeveloped area of work
• engage in round-table discussion about the challenges and opportunities we face and share ideas for practice across the phases of learning
• examine interesting developments and initiatives and engage in dialogue with key colleagues involved, in order to influence and develop their own practices.

This event will be of particular interest to:

• Teachers in Youth Services, Further Education, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Primary, Secondary Education sectors
• Those working in work-based training, offender learning, workplace learning and the voluntary sector who want to develop the speaking and listening skills of learners for whom English is their first language
• Managers who want to develop policies and practices within their organisations
• Researchers and policy makers working in the field of literacy, language and numeracy.

Arrival/Registration is at 9:45am for a 10:30am start and will end at 3:30pm.
Conference Fee: £90 per person and includes lunch, tea/coffee.

NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conferences or course fees.

For further details, look up:
http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; mailto:gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

 

Futurelab's next conference, entitled 'Why Don't You...? Supporting innovative approaches in education', will focus on...

...teacher practice and the design of digital resources that support new approaches to learning and teaching.

Those who've accepted invitations to speak at the conference include...

• Professor Lizbeth Goodman of the SMARTlab Digital Media Institute and
  
• Becta's Andy Black.
  

Look out for the full programme on the Futurelab events web pages, where you may also book your place online at http://www.futurelab.org.uk/events/listing/why_dont_you .

Venue: East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

Event information:

• Arrival and registration is at 9:30am for a 10:00am start. The event will end at 4:00pm.
• Event fee per person: £225 £198 - NIACE Members (includes lunch, tea/coffee)
• Only application forms with the payments section completed will be processed Please note that if you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order before the form is processed 
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed application forms
• Completed and signed application forms must be faxed or posted to NIACE by the closing date. Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be posted out one week before the event
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions.
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact:
  Gurjit Kaur
  Tel: 0116 204 2833
  Fax: 0116 254 8368
  Minicom: 0116 255 6049
  E-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk  

Our Learning Journey

Lessons learnt and future thinking in adult learning, skills development and mental health

Venue:Thistle Marble Arch Hotel, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London W1H 7EH

Adult Learning and mental health

For many people with mental health difficulties it is not the cognitive difficulties associated with mental ill-health that prevents them from accessing learning, getting into work or in using other community resources such as libraries or leisure centres, it is the real, or fear of, stigma and discrimination that prevents active involvement and increases social isolation.

Adult learning and skills development can play an important role in tackling stigma and discrimination. It provides opportunities to widen social networks and be with other people, it can lead to improved job prospects and it can be a means to building confidence, hope and optimism.

Over the past two decades the number of people experiencing mental health difficulties accessing learning and skills provision has increased. There is evidence of better collaboration between learning providers and mental health service providers. There are more examples of good practice in supporting learners with mental health difficulties to achieve. Increasingly, learning and training providers are realising the need to involve and listen to service users/learners with mental health difficulties about what matters and what helps them to learn. This is the journey we have made so far.

But we cannot be complacent. There are still many challenges to face if people with mental health difficulties are to have the same access to learning, skills and employment as other people, and the same opportunities to lead fulfilling lives and to get on in life. This is the journey we have yet to make.

Adult learning and skills providers need to address the following questions:

• What are the key things we still need to get right in adult learning for people with mental health difficulties?
• How do we need to develop our services?
• What are the campaign issues for those involved in adult learning and mental health?
  

This conference is about:

• Raising awareness of the campaign issues for those involved in adult learning, work-based skills development and mental health
• sharing the good practice and ideas we all have about how best people with mental health difficulties can access and achieve in adult learning and skills/work-based learning
• highlighting the key issues and challenges in tackling inequality, stigma, discrimination and lack of social mobility that face many people with mental health difficulties.
  

At the conference NIACE will launch a new 'One in Four' campaign pack.

This pack includes resources and ideas to help you raise awareness of mental health, challenge stigma and discrimination and debate the issues that matter to you.

The conference will be a very interactive event, reflecting the voice of the learner, tutors and other key stakeholders working in, participating in or using adult learning and skills or health and social care provision, and will have opportunities to share ideas and shape future thinking. Participants will have the opportunity to visit 'market stalls' and discuss innovative projects and good practice and opportunities for people to network.

Arrival and registration is at 9.45am.

The conference ends at 3.30pm.

Conference Fee: £198 (The fee includes a copy of the One in Four Campaign pack, and CD - rom, lunch, tea/coffee).

For further details and to reserve a place, look up:

http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; e-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

Learning and Skills Research Network (LSRN) Conference

Thursday 6 December 2007

Venue: Thistle Marble Arch Hotel, Bryanston Street, Marble Arch, London W1H 7EH

CONFERENCE ALERT
The Learning and Skills Research Network conference will bring together practitioners from...

• further and higher education,
  
• adult community learning,
  
• voluntary organisations and
  
• training providers who are interested in research and development in the Learning and Skills Sector.
  

The conference provides a unique opportunity to share interests and explore how research can help our understanding of the policy and practice of facilitating learning for young people and adults.

The conference re-launches the national LSRN network and welcomes both new participants and those who were regular attendees at the LSRN conferences between 1997 and 2003.

Conference themes

1. Engagement with research and development
2. Working collaboratively
3. Building research capacity
4. Increasing the influence of research findings
5. Action research and its role in improving practice

What Participants will get out of attending the event

• An update on national policy and current research in the sector
• An opportunity to meet with colleagues regionally and nationally
• An opportunity to disseminate research findings nationally
• An opportunity to meet members of regional networks
  

The conference will count towards the 30 hour CPD requirement for all FE staff

On returning to work, participants will be able to:

• draw upon the LSRN website which will contain papers and resources from the event
• join their regional LSRN
• identify appropriate opportunities within their own organisations and practice to engage with research
  

Conference Fee: £150 per person to include lunch, tea/coffee

Arrival and registration: 9.45am. The conference ends with tea at 4pm.

 

For further details and to reserve a place, look up: http://www.niace.org.uk/conferences/Conferences.htm

Enquiries to Gurjit Kaur on 0116 204 2833; e-mail: gurjit.kaur@niace.org.uk

• eGuides Programme 2007 - 2008
  First 3-Day event in Northwest - 8th, 9th October and 8th November 2007 - Liverpool
  Second 3-Day event in Northwest - 19th, 20th February and 3rd April 2008 - Liverpool
  Third 3-Day event in Northwest - 9th, 10th April and 13th May 2008 - Manchester
  eGuides National Event 13th March 2008 - The University of Manchester Conference Centre
  
  
• Tuesday, 23 October 2007
  

Detecting and Deterring Plagiarism

• Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

Web 2.0 Tools to Make Life Easier: Surviving Web Overload

Wireless LAN Fundamentals

• Thursday, October 25th, 2007

Manchester Circle of College Librarians Meeting

Information skills: Is google Enough?

Wireless Technology Briefing Day

• Tuesday, 30 October 2007
  

Accessibility, Usability & Your Web site

• Wednesday, 31 October 2007

CSS: A Complete Web Style Toolkit

Events begin from October 2nd in London. Maximum of 20 participants per event.

You can access the schedule at http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/TrainingCourses/eguides.htm#Schedule

• Materials have been updated
  - core remains the same. E-Guides are given contact details for RSCs and names of ACL and WBL Advisors (known at time of going to press).

• Action plans:
  E-Guides not currently likely to receive a grant, but nevertheless the cascade is expected and ongoing membership of the E-Guides mail list (managed by Becta) and E-Guides network area on Moodle is encouraged.

• Accreditation will be offered during this phase.
  Certificate in Educational Use of ICT - JEB Level 3.
  This requires assessment in controlled conditions as previously.
  There will be three ‘accreditation workshops' next year.
  
  
• E-Guides Plus:
  13 of these events are planned throughout the country.
  Funds are tight and we are hoping to recruit in greater numbers - maximum of 20 per event.
  E-Guides Plus will be open to
  
  • all trained E-Guides
    
  • and staff who have received some e-learning cascade training.
    

There are four E-Guides Plus topics to choose from:

• Online learning tools (incl. social networking)
• Mobile Technologies
• Learning Platforms
• E-assessment

Materials are currently being written for self-study at the workshops. However, it is planned that each topic will also include a focus on creating appropriate and relevant content, and a consideration of the topic in relation to cascade training.
Trainers will be seeking to encourage group interaction, even though participants will be able to follow their own choice of topic to study.

Attendance at the E-Guides core three days, and two E-Guides Plus would therefore add up to 30 hours CPD.

E-Guides materials have been (loosely) mapped to ePD framework.

E-Guides National Event 2008

Thursday March 13th in Manchester.
One-day event with focus on implementation of online and blended learning.
Details and programme will be released in November.
Further details available at http://www.niace.org.uk/Conferences/TrainingCourses/eguidesnatevent08.htm .

Note: There will be a substantial cost to this event, but a bursary programme will enable eligible participants to attend if their organisation cannot afford to send them.

This practical workshop explores the impact of the web on plagiarism in education, and enables attendees to examine online and other methods of deterrign and detecting it.

Topics covered include

• Definition and examples of plagiarism
• The impact of the web on plagiarism, including essay banks and bespoke services
• Different methods of web-based detection
• Designing out opportunities for plagiarism and collusion in teaching and learning
• Policies and sanctions to deal with plagiarism

Location: Tuesday 23 October 2007, 09:30 Kilburn Building,University of Manchester
Contact: http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/man-oct07-plag-r1/index.html

Wireless networks can be a useful complement to a wired network, freeing users from fixed network connection points and allowing more flexible use of spaces. WiFi connectivity could allow students to access library resources from a campus café, or lecturers to discuss and share resources in a common room. A lecture theatre can become an IT suite, or even a park bench the site for group work.

Location: Peter House, Manchester
Contact: e-mail: training@ja.net
http://www.ja.net/training/courses/Wirelessfundamentals.html

This workshop is aimed at anyone who wishes to find out more about Web 2.0 tools to help manage information overload and make life easier.

Topics covered include: -

• Personalised sites and search tools, including sites for sharing information -
  
• Tools to keep up to date, including RSS, alerting services and page trackers -
  
• Customising web browsers, including Firefox and Firefox extensions -
  
• Personal life management tools, such as calendars and scheduling tools
  

This workshop will be held at the University of Manchester

Email: enquiries@netskills.ac.uk
URL: http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/man-oct07-survive-r1/index.html  

 

Wireless Technology Briefing 2007 is a free one-day event being held in Manchester on October 25th. It will cover

• some of the new developments on the horizon in wireless (namely 802.11n, and the technology behind recent products that offer single channel operation for site APs);
  
• some current developments (JANET(UK)'s activities and the OpenSEA 802.1X supplicant); and
  
• some communities case studies (a very large wireless rollout, and an insight into what administrators want our WLANs to be able to do for them).

Contact: Events Co-ordinator at JANET(UK) by phone 01235 822200 workshop@ja.net
http://www.ja.net/services/events/calendar/2007/wirelessbriefing/details.html
 

This will be the second meeting of the Manchester Circle of College Librarians.

The meeting provides a forum for members of College libraries around Manchester to discuss current developments and share good practice.
This meeting will be held at the Talbot Road Campus of Trafford College.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Chrissie Turkington at the RSC.

Contact Info: Chrissie Turkington. Tel: 01524 593801 Email: ct@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

This workshop will give you a greater understanding of how Google works and equip you to search it, and other sites, more effectively. The workshop also provides you with the opportunity to explore what else is out there, learn about new developments in searching and think about how to evaluate web sites for quality.

Topics:

• How Google works and how it differs to other search engines
• Why search engines fail
• A comparison of other search tools, including subject gateways and the 'invisible web'
• Efficient searching methods and strategies
• Tips on searching Google effectively
• What's new in web searching
• Information quality issues on the web

Location: Thursday 25 October 2007, 09:30 Kilburn Building,University of Manchester
Contact: http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/man-oct07-resear-r1/index.html

Understanding the different ways that people interact the web is the key to being able to provide a better online experience for everyone - but there is still a tendency for developers to focus on solutions for users with visual impairment. This workshop will introduce a more holistic approach to making accessible, usable web content and key evaluation techniques that you can use on your own (and other people's) web sites.

Topics:

• How real people interact with the web
• How does the law affect the content you provide?
• Assistive technologies - there's more than just JAWS!
• The difference between accessible and usable content
• Accessiblity and usability testing criteria & methods
• Where to get specific help and advice

Location: Tuesday 30 October 2007, 09:30 Kilburn Building,University of Manchester
Contact: http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/man-oct07-access-r1/index.html

 

This workshop offers a complete, practical guide to the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) to deliver professional-looking, accessible and cost-effective web content. If you are familiar with the basics of HTML and are now looking to enhance the presentation of your web pages (or perphaps unravel the work of a previous developer!) you will leave equipped with a practical understanding of the most useful tools that CSS puts at your disposal.

Topics:

• Constructing style sheets and style rules
• HTML structure for CSS (DIV, SPAN, CLASS and ID)
• The CSS box model - margins, padding and borders
• CSS for page layout - positioning, stacking and floats
• The CSS Cascade - inheritance and multiple style sheets
• Alternative & Media specific style sheets
• Standards and browser compatibility

Location: Wednesday 31 October 2007, 09:30 Kilburn Building,University of Manchester
Contact: http://www.netskills.ac.uk/content/products/workshops/event/man-oct07-css-r1/index.html

 

To...

• address the needs of individual learning providers ; managers, eGuides, ILT Champions, Curriculum Leaders, Learning Resource Managers, Staff development Leaders, etc.
  
• provide appropriate guidance with eLearning
• know someone actually reads the eMagazine ☺.
  

Dear Colleagues,

This email is to let you know that additional funds have been made
available by the Learning and Skills Council for Capital Investment in
Adult Community Learning. The bid form, guidance document and an FAQ
sheet are attached. We also require that you complete an ACL e-learning
positioning statement (eLPS) at the end of the project. This shows
where your organisation is situated with its e-learning. The template
for this is also attached.

** Priority for funding will be given to organisations that were not
awarded funding in the first phase of this programme.**

Bids should be emailed to me in Word format by 26th October with a
signed front page posted to the address below. You will be told on 16th
November if you were successful. The closing date for claims is 14th
March 2008 when you'll need to let me have an updated ACL eLPS using the
template (if you haven't already done this in December).

For those organisations with a first phase bid pending, please let me
have your signed conditions letter as soon as possible.

Hope this is all clear. If you have any questions, please contact me on
0116 204 2850.

Best wishes,

Simon Sheldrake

NIACE
20 Princess Road West
Leicester
LE1 6TP

Congratulations to those who bid for the first round of Capital Funding (11 from the 22 Authorities, here in the northwest, applied). All the applications from the Northwest were successful!

If any of you need support from the RSC, with this round of bids and/or linking it with your eLearning/ILT Strategy and/or eLPs, then please contact John Dalziel a.s.a.p.

0152 459 3801
jd@rsc-northwest.ac.uk
Mobile 0796 842 4995

You can now take a guided tour of the new , improved RSC NorthWest Website via http://webtour.notlong.com/

• This link will take you on a step by step trail through various pages of the site, with...
  • an annotated summary of each page and
    
  • clear arrows allowing you to work through the tour at your own pace.
• You can also add your comments along the way.

The tour was created using the free toolbar from http://www.trailfire.com which allows you to create and share guided path through any number of websites.

Kevin Hickey
e-Learning Adviser
e: kh@rsc-northwest.ac.uk t: 01524593799 m: 0779 2037994

 

• Educate - Podcasts for educators, schools & colleges
  
• In sight Radio
• Podcasting Software
  
• Podcasts: Where's the Learning?
  

This, so we are told, is the first and best UK directory to locate quality podcasts from over 400 carefully selected podcast channels for educational use - ideal for teaching and learning activities with children, young people and educational professionals.

To find out more go to http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/index.php .In their podcast directory, you can access educational content from over 3000 podcasts from different podcast channels. They are accredited by BECTA as a registered content provider for Curriculum Online in the UK. All the educational podcasts in their specialist podcast directory are sourced world-wide and include the best examples of educational podcasting using audio, enhanced and video formats.

To keep up-to-date and read information about educational podcasting, you can visit either their weblog at http://recap.ltd.uk/podcasting/weblog/blog.html or wiki at http://recap.ltd.uk/wiki/Podcasting/HomePage .

If you are new to the "world of educational podcasts" and looking for some e-learning materials to support your professional development or those of colleagues, visit their free to access online VLE course at http://recap.ltd.uk/moodle/ - Podcasting Basics!

 

 

Find out more at http://www.viponair.com/index.php/home

To listen on line go to http://streaming9.planetwideradio.com/viponline . 

Also broadcasting on

• Sky channel 0188 and
  
• 101 FM in Glasgow
  

I'm sure that many of you are, or will be, using podcasts for a whole range of innovative projects in teaching, learning, administration, communication etc. The question for many is...

"What software will we use?"

A visit to http://www.podcastingnews.com/topics/Podcasting_Software.html  may help; lists of podcasting software include Windows, Macintosh, Perl, Server-Side Software and Online Services.

Here at the RSC we currently use Audacity (especially the version we can carry on a memory stick) and gcast. 

T.H.E. Journal is a great publication for those interested in exploring what's going on in the world of education, written in plain English, and at a level the less technical, who are interested in a "practical, hands-on" level of technology, can understand.

Recently, they published an article called "Podcasts: Where's the Learning?" by Patricia Deubel Ph D.

This insightful article discusses whether podcasts are effective learning tools. Clearly, podcasts are a part of the learners "toolkit", and as this article points out, we who are looking at podcasts as a learning tool, need to become aware of its strengths as well as weaknesses.

Check it out at http://www.thejournal.com/articles/20764_2

Note: circulation of over 90,000 T.H.E. is the largest circulated education technology monthly publication.

• Becta TechNews
• Impact of e-portfolios on learning
• New Diplomas
  

In this edition analysis pieces include: WLAN architectures, multimedia search, ultra mobile devices, Identity

The next edition of TechNews will be published in November

Becta commissioned researchers from the Learning Science Research Institute, University of Nottingham, to investigate the impact that e-portfolios can have on learners in schools, further education, higher education and work-based learning.

Case studies of eight e-portfolio projects were created from document analysis and interviews and surveys of learners and teachers. Findings relating to the impact of e-portfolio systems on learning outcomes and processes and commencing and sustaining e-portfolio development were drawn from cross case analysis.

Read more at http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&catcode=_re_rp_02&rid=14007

The full research report, which is written for the academic community, is available to download

• in Word from http://partners.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/page_documents/research/impact_study_eportfolios.doc (2.5MB) or

• PDF from http://partners.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/page_documents/research/impact_study_eportfolios.pdf (1.8MB).

 

• £2 Billion Investment for Jobs and Skills
• Brown backs 'personal' learning
• CEL leads consultation on sustainable development
• Dentistry training set to expand
• Drive for more mature students
• E-learning could help cut university costs
• Funding for second degrees is cut
• Have you got a good story?
• JISC infoNet Award for Innovation in Records & Information Management
  
• Lecturers 'must block extremism
• Moves to accredit firms' training
• 'MP3 users 'risking hearing loss'
• Need to know: New Diplomas
  
• NLN Update
• Ofsted News: Adult Learning
  
• Private business to award degrees
• Students bemoan lack of feedback
• Teaching Award 2007
• TechDis accessibility briefings
• Traffic Radio - helping you plan your journey
  
• University-school link-ups urged
• UK and China sign e-learning deal
• Web 2.0 in further education (FE) and higher education (HE)
• What is ‘ee-learning'?
  

The European Commission has agreed to contribute £2bn to a proposed new £4bn European Social Fund programme for England for 2007 to 2013. All regions of England will benefit from the new programme, which will fund a range of activities such as job search advice & support, confidence building, basic skills and vocational qualifications.

Target groups for the new European Social Fund programme include unemployed people, disabled people, lone parents, older workers, ethnic minorities, low skilled people and young people not in education, employment or training.

The programme will invest the £4b over seven years in two key priorities:

• extending employment opportunities by tackling barriers to work faced by people who are unemployed or disadvantaged in the labour market

• developing a skilled & adaptable workforce by training people who lack basic skills and good qualifications

The new programme will be formally launched at an event at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London on 29 October 2007. The first application rounds will take place in the autumn and new projects will start in early 2008.

In the meantime, the 2000-2006 ESF programme will continue to fund project activity until the middle of 2008.

Read more at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2007/sep/emp033-040907.asp

Gordon Brown has called for an education system which values the individual talents of all - with the promise of more personalised learning.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7010740.stm

Research commissioned by the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) has found that whilst further education sector leaders understand the importance of sustainable development and believe that the sector has a responsibility to help realise a more sustainable way of life, many feel that they are on a steep learning curve. Find out more at...

http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-76ZM9K

Note: You may have to register first

 

• CEL's research report, "Leadership for sustainability: Making sustainable development a reality for leaders", is available to download at www.centreforexcellence.org.uk/UsersDoc/SustainabilityResearch.pdf

• "Leadership for sustainability: The sustainable development challenge for leaders in further education", CEL's report of the conference on 16 May 2007, is available to download at www.centreforexcellence.org.uk/UsersDoc/SustainabilityConference.pdf

 

Dental training in north-west England is being enhanced, with new facilities in the universities of Liverpool and Central Lancashire (UCLan).

Liverpool is opening a £1.1m operative skills suite which has 46 "phantom heads" on which students can work.

Read more at  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7013960.stm

...to design more courses to allow people of working age to get a degree.

Universities Secretary John Denham has told university leaders to attract more mature students by designing courses to fit in with people's lives.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6991913.stm  

 

The use of technology to cut the costs of delivering education could help universities...

E-learning could be one option to battle the increasing financial burden of university, universities and businesses have said.

Read more at http://www.itpro.co.uk/news/126416/elearning-could-help-cut-university-costs.html  

...to prioritise first-time undergraduates.

The Universities Secretary, John Denham, has told England's funding council to switch £100m a year. Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6984134.stm  

Is something innovative, significant, bizarre or unusual taking place?

Every...

• day, with our website,
  
• month, with this eMagazine, podcasts and the RSC-NW TV,
  

and...

• three times a year, with our printed newsletter

...we bring you news, updates, examples of good practice etc., from across the region, England, the UK and in some cases the globe... but what we want to hear are the issues that matter to you. That is why the JISC Regional Support Centre - Northwest - want to team up with you, our supported learning providers, to bring you Your News.

Have you got a story to tell or is there something you think we should follow up? The JISC Regional Support Centre - Northwest - want you to get in touch.

Email Chrissie and/or John

The part you play, as managers, administrators, lecturers/tutors/teachers/trainers/librarians, learners etc., in eLearning is very important.

You are the GUI workers (Graphic User Interface) looking at...

• strategic
  
  • planning and/or
    
  • Implementation
• Self-Assessment,
  
• Quality,
  
• Action Plans,
  
• Management for effective use of eLearning and/or eAdministration,
  
• eMaturity,
  
• general and/or subject specific eCPD,
  
• Learning Platforms,
  
• eAssessment,
  
• Web 2.0,
  
• Content Creation,
  
• New Build,
  
• mLearning,
  
• use of Video Conferencing and/or other multimedia, and/or other technologies etc.

Every month we will follow up one or more of your suggestions/contributions so keep us informed and...

Make the NEWS!

Note: If this type of work interests you, then watch this space; the JISC RSC Northwest (Lancaster University) will be advertising for an Information Officer in the not to distant future.

Steve Bailey, Senior Adviser (Records Management) JISC infoNet, says...

"Has your institution recently made significant improvements to the way in which it manages its records or internal information?

Or, have changes to the way in which you manage your records or internal information made a demonstrable difference to the way in which your institution operates?

If so, why not share your success with others and gain further recognition for your achievements by entering the inaugural JISC infoNet Award for Innovation in Records & Information Management sponsored by Facet Publishing.

Applications can be submitted between 1 October and 31 December 2007.

The successful project, as selected by an expert panel, will be announced at the JISC Conference on 15 April 2008.

Further information, including full details of the rules and application procedure are available at:

www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/records-management/innovation-award "

 

Lecturers should back the government's efforts to prevent Islamic extremism in universities.

Universities Secretary, John Denham, says students should be helped to stand up to extremist "intimidation".

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6998418.stm  

Training schemes run by major firms could lead to generally recognised qualifications under plans launched by the government.

Vodafone and Sainsbury's are among companies working towards having their in-house programmes accredited.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6991376.stm  

More than two-thirds of young people who regularly use MP3 players face premature hearing damage because the volume is too high, a charity warns.

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People said its findings were alarming, particularly with eight million MP3 players sold last year alone in the UK.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6982184.stm  

QCA has published full details of the first five Diploma qualifications (including
IT) and new resources for learning centres delivering the new Diplomas from
September 2008.
QCA press release http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_13966.aspx

Read more at http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_5396.aspx

The Diploma catalogues on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications detail the full range of qualifications that can be combined to constitute a Diploma in one of the first five Lines of Learning.

The Diploma catalogues can be viewed at  http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/DiplomaCatalogueSelection.aspx

Further to an earlier announcement about the new NLN Materials Service the LSC is pleased to confirm that the service will be launched in mid October.

Transition arrangements for Existing Users

In order to facilitate a smooth transition to the new service it is planned that:

• all existing users will receive an email in mid-October advising them of the new service and how to register for it.
• the current services for FE, WBL and Specialist Colleges will continue to be available until Wednesday October 31st, 2007. During this period, their site home pages will display a message advising users of the change and recommending that they follow the link to the http://www.nln.ac.uk site and register for the new service.

Registration Process for New Users

Registration for new users is straightforward. They will simply need go to http://www.nln.ac.uk and register on the site. Users will need a password - a single word shared by everyone in their organisation - which is used to verify their account. Instructions on how to find the password for a given organisation are available during the registration process.

What is different about the new service?

The new access site to the NLN Materials includes a range of useful features designed to help practitioners access and customize resources easily for their students. In particular, the site enables:

• access to the full, definitive library of NLN Materials (Rounds 1-4 including all updates and all previous content hitherto unavailable)
• powerful search and browse to find and play-online appropriate materials creation and editing of collections of materials which can be assigned to learners on-line via web-link (URL)
• download of collections for easy import into virtual learning environments (VLEs) such as Moodle, or immediate use on CD, DVD or Intranets, with no need for external tools
• review and sharing of collections assembled by other practitioners.

What about support?

The new service is fully integrated into the existing support site at http://www.nln.ac.uk , providing a unified point of access and support for the entire community of NLN Materials users.

There is an extensive help facility on the site including:

• user guide, with instructions on key "how-to's"
• context-sensitive pop-up help throughout the site
• a dynamic FAQ system

Further help is available from the Regional Support Centres (RSCs), contact details for which can be found at http://www.nln.ac.uk

For more detailed information of the functionality of the NLN Materials Service go to: http://www.nln.ac.uk/ ....

A company has been granted the power to award higher education degrees, the first permitted to do so in the UK.

The Privy Council awarded the right to BPP College, part of training company BPP Professional Education, which offers law and business courses.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7012203.stm  

A secondary school culture in which students resit exams to improve scores may be making them dissatisfied with higher education, universities say.

In the annual National Student Survey, 81% of final year UK undergraduates were happy with their courses overall, but 62% with assessment and feedback.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6990022.stm  

The Engineering Subject Centre is pleased to announce that this year their HE in FE Teaching Award, along with a cheque for £500.00, will be presented at the New Engineering Foundation’s Seminar and Award Ceremony on January 9^th 2008 by radio and television presenter Maggie Philbin.

The award, supported by the New Engineering Foundation, is open to both full and part-time staff, and is intended to showcase...

• commitment,
  
• imagination and
  
• innovative ways to inspire students and make their learning relevant.
  

Nominations are open to all UK lecturers in Engineering, and related subject areas, who teach higher education in a further education establishment, but must be received by November 23rd 2007.

For further details, please see http://www.engsc.ac.uk/heinfe/teachingawards/index.asp or send an e-mail to Ian Lindsay at ian@engsc.ac.uk

TechDis has published a series of briefings aimed at senior managers in post-16 colleges.

However you may find the briefings useful summaries of key issues around accessibility and inclusion, and for convincing colleagues or clients of the value of addressing these issues.

You may download the briefings from the TechDis website [http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=2_2_3 ].

Traffic News – When you need it

Setting out on a journey? Before you go, listen to Traffic Radio to hear the latest :

• Traffic conditions on motorways and major A roads
• Emergency incidents
• Roadworks

Wherever you’re planning a journey, Traffic Radio can help you.

Traffic Radio – live traffic updates 24 hours a day. Also available on DAB Digital Radio. Brought to you by the Highways Agency and Transport for London. find out more at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/index.htm

An online education initiative between the UK and China is being launched - with plans to provide "e-learning" for 20 million Chinese students.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7010282.stm  

"Social bias" in some of Britain's leading universities has led to a "huge waste of talent and ability", said the universities secretary John Denham.

Although steps to widen participation had been taken, more needed to be done to boost the numbers of disadvantaged youngsters studying degrees, he said.

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6994809.stm  

Lawrie Phipps, manager of the JISC users and innovators programme , and David White from the University of Oxford give interviews about developments in the use of Web 2.0 applications in FE and HE in a podcast available from JISC [http://www.jisc.ac.uk/news/stories/2007/08/podcast07lawriephippsdavidwhite.aspx ].

Or Listen to the podcast using the player above.

The online journal, ‘Innovate', has published a series of articles about ‘ee-learning' (experiential e-learning).

The intention of ee-learning is to bring together learning situated in real-world scenarios with the use of technology for communication and collaboration around scenarios.

Whether or not it is a genuine innovation remains to be seen, but at least it may be a useful way of thinking about educational content design issues.

You can read a synopsis on the Innovate website of...

 

• Reschooling society and the promise of ee-learning at http://innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=502 and/or
• Leveraging identity to make learning fun at http://innovateonline.info/index.php?view=article&id=348 .
  

Note: As stated in previous eMagazines, to read the full articles you have to register, but registration is free of charge. 

• 1 Stop - Free Shop
• Construction Workforce Career Path
  
• disuknow (Nuggets of knowledge for your noggin)
• Furling the RSC Web Links
• Information Management infoKit
• Look (Help and Support for Parents and their Visually Impaired Children)
  
• Mobile Internet Links
• The Key to Your Success
• Wise Kids
  

1-Stop Free Shop finds family friendly free offers and bargain prices on the internet for you. Find...

• free craft patterns,
  
• free woodworking patterns,
  
• free genealogy forms,
  
• free genealogy charts, and other genealogy free stuff.
  

We found...

• baby clip art, and
  
• genealogy clip art.
  

There are also free and bargain offers for...

• home,
  
• auto,
  
• baby, and
  
• family.
  

Find free stuff for your computer and low cost internet service, and free software to download.

There are many free offers and bargains available on the internet, and we search for them and put them here, http://www.1stopfreeshop.com/ , so you can save the search time!

 

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have created an interesting website (the Construction Workforce Career Path) that lays out various construction industry career options and what candidates need to do to prepare themselves for these jobs; do we have something similar in the UK?

If so please let us have the link support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk and I will share it in next month's eMagazine.

If not then perhaps this could be the foundation of a UK version? Any takers?

Take a look for yourself at http://www.agc.org/page.ww?section=Construction+Workforce+Career+Path&name=About+Construction+Workforce+Career+Path  

This is a gateway to the fascinating facts, objects and knowledge from the eight museums that make up National Museums Liverpool. There are lots to choose from.

There are...

• World Cultures
• Agents of Deterioration
• Leaving from Liverpool
• Conkers Collectables
• Pick of the 'Pool
• Portrait Detectives
• Sunbeams & Sundials
• Fish Olympics
• Liverpool Blitz
• The Exibitionists
• Slaves' Stories
• Nile File
• Trading Places
• Top Treasures
• Artworks of the Month and
• An opportunity to Sign up to receive updates.
  

Just go to http://www.diduknow.info/ and click on a button to begin an exciting, interactive journey.

 

 

http://www.furl.net/members/rscnw

As I'm sure many of you are aware, the RSC Northwest has recently launched a brand new website at www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk

The most popular sections of the "old website", as we now affectionately call it, were the web link collections.
We had over 500 live web links to resources, technology, strategies, etc... over two systems and therefore we needed to ensure these links were not lost and we're combined in an organized manner.

We wanted a system that would allow...

• us to easily add links under categories or keywords
  
• for easy searching
• us to embed it into the new site.
  

Ideally, with the Web2.0 world we now live in, we wanted something that was freely available online with no installation and no web server. We found what we needed with Furl. www.furl.net

The RSC's Furl archive is available at: http://www.furl.net/members/rscnw

• There are over 600 links on the archive covering subjects as diverse as Animal Care, eAssessment, Information Skills and VOIP.
  
• The RSC team are adding more every week, so if you would like to recommend a link to us, then please do. Just email support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk If you find the link useful, then it's highly likely others will too.

Subscribe to the Furl Archive
If you would like to receive an email update when links have been added to either the whole archive, or just certain categories/subject areas, then you can...

• either complete the registration at: http://www.furl.net/subscribe?id=1301069&search=true
  
• or just email the RSC (support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk ) with your email address and whether you'd like to be subscribed to all categories or only certain ones.
  

Don't worry; you won't be inundated with emails.

Alternatively...

• if you use an RSS Reader, subscribe to the RSS feed. http://rss.furl.net/members/rscnw/rss.xml If you're not sure what this is, then just ask. We'll happily explain how you can use RSS.

Recommend to a friend

• Please recommend our Furl archive to colleagues within your organization. The more the merrier!

• e.g. If you know a Media Studies lecturer that is always on the lookout for more resources, ask them to subscribe to our Media Studies collection.
• e.g. If you need information about Interactive Whiteboards, then take a look at the Interactive Whiteboards category

Website Integration

All our subject resources links are now available through Furl on the bottom right of our new website homepage. Just click on the subject of interest. Plus you can also search the website for more links, try searching for podcasting.

Chrissie Turkington
October 2007

JISC infoNet is pleased to announce the launch of the Information Management infoKit: an online resource freely available to all FE and HE institutions.

The information Management infoKit is based upon the well established principle of the information lifecycle which provides a consistent framework for managing all types of internal information.  As well as this main strand of generic good information management practice the infoKit also includes two further strands of more detailed guidance relating to records and email management.  Both of these are structured around  the same lifecycle model but provide the more focused, detailed information required when seeking to manage these particular types of information.  

The three strands included within this resource at its launch (Managing the information lifecycle , records management and email management ) will be augmented over time with the addition of further subject-specific strands all based on the same underlying lifecycle model.   Links to all three resources are also available from http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/news/information-management-resource .

Following the approach outlined within this infoKit will help ensure that the management of information created within your institution is consistent, proportionate and fit for purpose.

It is not dependent on the installation of expensive new technology nor does it assume that all information will be captured and managed in a single place by a single system. Instead it seeks to provide a conceptual framework which can be applied whenever and wherever a new system or process is to be introduced, or as part of a review of the management of information created by existing systems and processes.

Please do let us know any thoughts or comments you have regarding this resource, or suggestions for its future development  at: jiscinfonet@northumbria.ac.uk

Steve Bailey, Senior Adviser JISC infoNet said:

"There is no one single system or methodology which can be adopted to effectively manage the volume and variety of information which institutions now hold.  This resource acknowledges this fact and provides a flexible and extensible approach which still retains a consistency of approach at its core."

Dr Gill Ferrell, Service Director JISC infoNet said:

"the management of an institution's information assets is increasingly being seen as a strategic priority.  This resource will help institutions to cope with the demands they face today in this area and help them plan for the challenges of tomorrow"

 

LOOK...

• offers practical advice and emotional support.
• has information about your child's condition.
• can put you in touch with other families with similar problems
• can give you help with sorting out welfare benefits
• will show you how to find toys and games that are right for your child
• can tell you about courses open to visually impaired children
• can help with statementing.
• organises events where parents can get together and have regional groups.
• has a technology support service, providing information on issues involving assistive and adaptive technology in education and at home.
• has a newsletter keeping you up to date with their members.
• has a youth project for 9-18 year olds.
  

Find out more at http://db2design.co.uk/look/userupdate/default.asp

...offering useful advice and information in a format that is optimised for a small screen and fast loading times. These are just a few essential mobile bookmarks

• Not just the search engine but Googlemail, Calendar, and driving directions optimised for your handset.
  Google for mobiles http://www.google.co.uk/mobile/
  or go directly to http://mobile.google.co.uk on your mobile browser
  
  
• Yellow Pages in your back pocket
  Yell Mobile http://www.yellmobile.com
  or go directly to http://mobile.yell.com on your mobile browser
  

• Transport Direct http://www.transportdirect.info/TransportDirect/en/TDOnTheMove/TDOnTheMove.aspx or go directly to http://mobile.transportdirect.info/ on your mobile browser

• Listen to Traffic Radio to hear the latest:Traffic conditions on motorways and major A roads, Emergency incidents & Roadworks
  Tune in on DAB Radio
  Traffic Radio http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/index.htm
  or go directly to http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/pda-rich.htm on your mobile browser
  

• Public transport route-planing, Timetables, prices and real time arrivals information
  National Rail http://www.www.nationalrail.co.uk/
  or go directly to http://wap.nationalrail.co.uk/ on your mobile browser
  

• BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3304673.stm
  Text NEWS to 81010
  or go directly to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news on your mobile browser

• Wapedia http://wapedia.org
  or go directly to http://pda.wapedia.mobi/en/ on your mobile browser
  

Your Key to Your Success

• The Keys have been specially developed by NIACE as a friendly and positive way to engage with adults who do not traditionally consider learning as an option for themselves.
• The characters are also proving to be very successful in attracting learning in a work place scenario.

The Key 'family' is a series of high quality marketing and publicity characters that can be used in a number of ways.

Your target audience for a campaign may be adults...

• who need encouragement to return to learning for the first time since leaving school or
  
• whose employment prospects would be substantially improved through learning.
  
• who have been disadvantaged through a learning disability,
  
• who have been disadvantaged through language
• who have been disadvantaged through family circumstances
  

and are actively seeking to fulfil their potential, will also respond well to the Keys.

The Keys characters are designed

• to make learners feel welcome.
  
• to promote the feeling of an on-going level of help, support and "hand-holding" designed to encourage even the most timid of learners to take that all important first step.

You can use the images in a wide variety of situations

• from tee-shirts to posters,
  
• headed paper to book marks,
  
• pull-up stands to conference folders - in fact a wide range of marketing and publicity items.
  

The image has already been used to produce a very stylishly designed award, many of which were presented during Adult Learners Week in May 2007.

The entire family of Key characters is available for you to download straightaway. Simply visit the Engage Keys web site at http://www.crystalpresentations.com/engagekeys/ and select the characters that you require and the file type, click on the drag down box. You can choose from coloured or black and white images.

WISE KIDS believes that

• the Internet is a vital tool in the information age, and seeks to promote internet literacy, proficiency and knowledge of the Internet and related technologies.
  
  
• individuals and communities need the knowledge, skills and tools to...

•  
  • understand how the Internet works,
    
  • use it more effectively, and to
    
  • see the possibilities that it offers in terms of...
    
  • providing access to information,
    
    • creating content,
      
    • connecting people,
      
    • encouraging people to contribute and participate, use and develop services that are of benefit.
      

WISE KIDS also believes

• in the importance of awareness and practice of safe Internet use
  
• that individuals and communities need to be given information on Internet security and safety issues from grooming and chat room danger to scams like phishing.
  

In this way, they will have the knowledge, tools and confidence to be active participants (users and contributors) of the knowledge economy.

WISE KIDS is committed to overcoming the digital divide and believes that the way forward must rest in greater Internet education and awareness.

Find out more at http://www.wisekids.org.uk/ . 

• Brand new resource! Assignment: Photo-movie
  
• Google Docs - Presentations now available
• Map My Run
• Mouse Light
  
• River Docs: Documents for the Web
• Well Rounded: A voice activated personal organiser
  
• Word 2007 (Get Started tab within Word)
  

On this site you will find everything you, and/or your learners, will need to make photo-movies. The great way to create stunning audio-visual programmes from digital photos.

Explore the site at http://www.bteducation.org/img/lib/dialogics/PhotoMovie/index.html and you will find hands-on tutorials that take you step-by-step through all the key production processes...

On 17th September The Office Google Blog announced the unveiling of the new Google Docs presentations feature.

"Starting today, presentations -- whether imported from existing files or created using the new slide editor -- are listed alongside documents and spreadsheets in the Google Docs document list. They can be edited, shared, and published using the familiar Google Docs interface, with several collaborators working on a slide deck simultaneously, in real time. When it's time to present, participants can simply click a link to follow along as the presenter takes the audience through the slideshow. Participants are connected through Google Talk and can chat about the presentation as they're watching. Not wanting anyone to feel left out, we've made the presentation feature available in 25 languages."

Find out more at Google Docs http://docs.google.com/

Andy Kirk, from RSC-South East, brought my attention to this website...

Mapping and planning runs, or walks, is now easy! Draw your runs/walks, calculate mileage, count calories, share with friends, and much more!

Find out more at http://www.mapmyrun.com/ .

This tool has great potential, especially if members of a workshop, conference, demonstration etc., are easily distracted!

"Sometimes it's difficult to tell an audience to look at a particular area of the screen. Whether its for a product demo, presentation, screencast or a lecture, this problem still exists. MouseLight tries to eliminate this problem.

MouseLight puts a "spotlight" around your cursor and dims the surrounding area which enables your audience to effortlessly follow your path of movement on the screen.

Take a further look for your self at http://www.vizidesk.com/mouselight.html  

Transform unstructured, documents into structured, accessible HTML documents

A software solution that enables organisations to quickly and simply convert documents designed for print into structured, accessible HTML documents for online delivery..."Documents for the Web".

RiverDocs Converter is a simple, user-friendly desktop application with a powerful analytical conversion engine capable of separating content from presentation and extracting the logical structure of source information.

Read more at http://riverdocs.com/ or http://riverdocs.com/product/features/index.html .

Download a free 2-week trial at http://riverdocs.com/product/download.html .

Individual price:

£399.00  Tax/VAT may be added for certain countries.  Exact details are provided before the order is completed.

 

 

...that can store up to 30 memos and 60 names in its contacts directory.

The TapMemo, round in shape, has just three buttons and is sold with an earphones jack, battery recharger and a CD containing the user manual.

The device, from Israel based company Nistec, is available in Europe from Cobalt Systems for £89.95:
http://www.tapmemo.com/ or http://www.accessible-devices.com/tapmemo.html

Are you using Word 2007? If so, definitely download Microsoft’s Get Started Tab for Word 2007 (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F587370C-FDAE-4EDE-B528-AC58031A5DFF&displaylang=en ). This add-in adds a Get Started tab to the Microsoft Office Word 2007 Ribbon. Commands on this tab give you easy access to free content on Office Online that helps you learn Word 2007 quickly. Once installed, it gives you a Get Started tab within Word where you can access tips, online demos, instructional videos and more.

• Animation: Animator vs Animation
• Cadbury: Video
  
• Cartoon: Being 5
  
• Play Doodle (Game)
  

Artist's Comments

"An animator faces his own animation in deadly combat. The battlefield? The Flash interface itself.

"A stick figure is created by an animator with the intent to torture. The stick figure drawn by the animator will be using everything he can find - the brush tool, the eraser tool - to get back at his tormentor. It's resourcefulness versus power. Who will win? You can find out yourself."

"-- This took three long months.. i think it's worth it."

See for yourself...

Animator vs. Animation by *alanbecker on deviantART

 

...in your Teabreak, that is assuming you get a teabreak, why not help Doodle battle the enemy erasers and guide him through routes to victory.

Be careful, when Doodle's stamina gets too low, he won't be able to attack.

Go To http://www.miniclip.com/games/doodle/en/  

Choosing the portable computer that is right for you and or your learners is, in many ways, tougher than selecting a desktop system. It's very common for laptop shoppers to overlook very important issues such as weight, display size, and more.

The Web Worker Daily website, compiles some guidelines to follow when choosing your new system, and tries to prioritize them with very important considerations near the top. Read more at http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/09/04/top-laptop-shopping-tips/

Note: costings are in US$ so you will need to cost in UK£ yourself.

You may find that there isn't anything worth watching on TV tonight! If so why not go to http://www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk/acl/RSC_TV/index.html and watch the RSC-Northwest's TV channel

We currently have, running on Auto-pilot, the October 'storyboard' of 7 video clips (Looping approximately every 24:29 min) The clips are...

1. Google Docs in Plain English (02:50 min)
2. PhotoStory3: How to do it (03:58 min)
3. New Light Bulbs in Plain English (03:01 min)
4. All about the RSC-Northwest (08:03 min)
5. Polar Bears (01:01 min)
6. Knots - bowline (2:21 min)
7. eGuide Conference 2008 (NIACE, QIA & LSC) (03:15 min)
   

RSC-NW TV Channel, will aim...

...to provide news of...

funding,
current projects,
initiatives and examples of good practice in eLearning

...to offer ideas and support for the Higher Education, Further Education, Personal and Community Development Learning (ACL), 6th Form College, Work Based Learning and Specialist College Managers & Practitioners etc., that are supported by the RSC here in the Northwest.

...to produce videos of events and/or training and to show them...

...so that those who are unable to attend face-to-face events, will be able to experience martini learning (any time, any place...)
When you visit the TV Chanel, "Give it a little time to 'Fine Tune'"...

• Back Page (Family Learning)
• Mobile Phones, Mobile Minds - Teachers TV
  

BackPage is a place for parents, grandparents and carers to share video tips about how to help kids with homework.

Why the name 'BackPage'? Well the back page is where you go in a text book when you're looking for the answer page and the BBC hope the site will be where you turn to when you're looking for ideas about helping with homework.

Find out more at... http://www.bbc.co.uk/backpage/

An ideal resource for family learning perhaps?

Owning a mobile is becoming an indispensable element of young people's lives, for both teenagers and increasingly primary age children, all around the world.

• Are mobile phones a force for good, or an example of technology gone awry?
• Is it sensible to ban their use in schools or should this device be given a place in lessons and learning?

See for yourself at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1043898959196049305&hl=en

Manager...

Rachel Fligelstone

Administration...

Jackie Ainsworth and Christine Hulme
Tel: 0152 459 3797
Fax:0152 459 3798
admin@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

eLearning Advisers...

Benita Wiseman (Further Education/6^th Form Colleges)
Tel: 0152 459 3801
bw@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Chrissie Turkington (Learning Resources/Higher Education Colleges)
Tel: 0152 459 3801
ct@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

John Dalziel (Adult & Community Learning/Personal & Community Development Learning/Work Based Learning)
Tel: 0152 459 3801
jd@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Keith Wilson (Technical)
Tel: 0152 459 3799
kwil@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Kevin Hickey (Further Education/6^th Form Colleges)
Tel: 0152 459 3799
kh@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Lisa Valentine (Specialist Colleges & Accessibility)
Tel: 0152 459 3799
lv@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Events Coordinator...

To be appointed (watch this space!)
support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Support Desk...

Duty Adviser
Tel: 0152 459 3797
support@rsc-northwest.ac.uk

Address & Telephone/Fax Numbers...

Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC)
Regional Support Centre - Northwest
Lancaster University
Bailrigg House
Lancaster University Campus
Lancaster LA1 4YE

Tel: 01524 593 797
Fax: 01524 593 798

Web Address (URL)...

http://www.rsc-northwest.ac.uk