Quality in E-Learning (European Weblog for E-Learning, Competence and more) : topic:Events

SEVAQ Conference in Brussels (24-09-2007)

uehlers — 2007-10-02T21:09:00Z

Today I was invited to give a keynote presentation in an international workshop in Brussels. The workshop was organised by the SEVAQ Project to present and discuss their final results. It was impressive to see the product which the project developped.

A completely online managable evaluation tool which allows multiple analysis and views on the data. It follows the concept of Kirckpatrick and combines it with the EFQM model. Very interesting - and online available.

The organisers also publishes a handbook on their software and ainvited me to write a preface for it.

Here it is:

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A CHANGING WOLRD OF QUALITY: MOVING FROM CONTROLL TO CULTURE

by Dr. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers

E-Learning has many faces. It is not developing homogeneously in all European countries at the same pace but rather in a divers manner of different forms, of divers technologies, different pedagogical approaches, contents and objectives thus reflecting the interrelation between cultures and education in its whole. In the same manner, e-learning is also diffusing educational organisations in a quite different pace, developing different formats within them and taking over different functions, ranging from a catalyst for change of organisations and pedagogical processes on the far end to a mere add on information distribution tool on the other.

All the same it can be noted that e-learning has changed from its entrepeneurship and infancy stage to a more general offering in all educational sectors. More and more it is challenging educational settings, reforming and improving them, carrying the implicit promise of changing education for the better. Along with that it can be seen that many policies stress the potential of raising quality of education through the integration of knowledge, learning and information technologies. This quality promise, however, has failed to deliver on the large scale so far. Not through the fault of individuals, not willing to change their professional habits in education, a bad technology or insufficient content. The problem being rather that raising quality in education, through the introduction of technology, needs a total system approach, a systemic strategy. In the quality debate and in experts discussions, this change can be seen as a move from control-centred strategies to development oriented e-learning- and quality strategies, and furthermore a growing debate about a quality culture, focussing on values, attitudes and motivation of stakeholders, rather than only on indicators.

For these discussions, overarching approaches and strategies are needed in order to develop quality in a holistic way, taking into account organisational contexts and stakeholders in a participatory way. Not one golden path of quality development, not one single common set of criteria can then anymore be applied to all situations and organisations alike but a constant effort, striving for improvement has to be made in organisations. All groups of stakeholders are addressed to play their part in this process: teachers, administrators, managers and also learners have to become conscious of the role they play for successful quality improvement. In this view, quality is about professionalisation of teaching, enabling of learning, participative management and recognition of achievements. It is important to recognise that quality strategies for e-learning therefore need to be very much adapted to the organisational reality and can not simply be developed according to the paradigm one size fits all.

In this publication, the SEVAQ project takes this angle and develops concepts and tools which enable stakeholders to build support tools for a holistic evaluation and quality development process. The project has merged two widespread concepts, a systematic evaluation approach which has been tried out with much success in the field of education and training the four level evaluation approach of Kirkpatrick, and a holistic approach for organisational quality development the quality model of the European Foundation for Quality Management.

WINDS Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2-10-2007)

uehlers — 2007-10-02T21:02:00Z

Today I gave a presentation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where we organised a regional research conference in the frame ofthe WINDS-LA project which I am currently working on. The conference has the aim to disseminate the opportunities of the European Commsissions FP 7 Framework Porgram to researchers in the field of ICT. I had the challenge to inform where to find partners for eLearning projects in Europe. Thinking about it I thought that the best information can be found in the existing portal and the networks of excellence:

- eLearningeuropa.info Portal for eLearning in Europe (Projects, Actors, Information)
- ProLearn Network of Excelence for professional Learning
- Kaleidoskop Network of Excelence for Science and Education
- MichaelPlus Repository of digital resources

In addition, I reported about our experience to establish a Foundation in order to make a project sustainable (www.qualityfoundation.org).

Villach: Keynote and IELA (SEPT 24-27, 2007)

uehlers — 2007-10-02T17:45:00Z

I was invited to give a keynote in Vilach at the ICL 2007 Conference. I talked about innovation management, learning and quality: "Competencies for Achieving high Quality in E-Learning". Which professional competencies do we need to teach and learn in a high quality way?

I was combining the concept of quality with innovation, and made the analogy with the concept of a perpetual beta state of education, like Google does it with their search engines. the conference inspried me to a new article on the topic which I started authoring now.

Aside from the conference also the Internaional E-Learning Association was launched and the initiators invited me to join the scientific advisory board. IELA.

Next year the ICL will tak eplace in Amman, Jordan.

Keynote in Vilach @ ICL2007

uehlers — 2007-05-31T17:28:00Z

This year is quite Austrian... :-) Very nice, since I like the mountains! In SEPT 07 I will be holding a keynote presentation at the 10th International Conference on Interactive Computer-Aided Learning (ICL2007) in Villach, Austria.

The Conference on Interactive Computer-Aided Learning will take place in Villach, Austria from 26-28 September 2007. It is organized by the Carinthia Tech Institute. As regards contents, ICL2007 will focus on MashUp Technologies, Collaborative Learning Enrivonments, and ePortfolios. The Call for Papers for the three special tracks School and IT, MashUp Technologies, and ePortfolios is now open.

More info: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/4030.html

Workshop Moderation in Innsbruck (Austria) @ Microlearning 2007

uehlers — 2007-05-31T17:22:00Z

I was asked to take over a workshop moderation for an interactive - Learning Cafe type of - workshop at this years Conference on Microcontents: Microlearning.org in Innsbruck. I look forward to discussing the concept of Quality and Evaluation for Microcontent with the colleagues - it will be a quite international event.

For Microcontent the 'producer' of quality is clearly the learner, i.e. the responsibility shifts strongly towards this angle. Of course - the quality does not lie in the content but in the learning process and therefore the ability of the learner to use Microcontent for his/ her own learning purposes is the key. It is quite an exciting and currently hot debated topic - we will also discuss all the 'user produced' content, open content questions, etc.

Innsbruck (AU), May 2007 The Microlearning2007 conference will take place in Innsbruck, Austria from 21-22 June 2007. The term "microlearning" defines new forms of learning emerging in the microcontent-based digital media environments. The goal of this year's Microlearning conference is to inquire about the consequences of these developments for individual and organizational knowledge.

Source: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/4028.html

Capacity Development for eLearning

uehlers — 2007-05-17T17:21:00Z

Education and knowledge are the key factors driving national economic and social development. Broad-scale citizens participation in education processes is therefore crucial for sustainable poverty reduction. In the majority of developing countries, however, only a small fraction of the population has access to education and knowledge, and the educational services on offer are frequently of poor quality and hence not very effective. The problem of insufficient teaching and learning materials is compounded by a lack of qualified teaching staff.

By harnessing information and communication technologies (ICT) for education processes, wide sections of the population have the chance to participate in basic and further education and vocational training. At the same time, the sustainable and efficient use of these technologies poses enormous challenges.

German development cooperation promotes the functional application of ICT in partner countries while helping establish the necessary infrastructure, in particular through capacity development. The main aim is to harness the potential and competencies of individuals, organisations and companies.

InWEnt Capacity Building International Germany, the German Development Service (DED) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH are assisting partners in cooperation countries in establishing eLearning services. ELearning is seen as a means of building educational competence and thus raising the quality of education services and making these services accessible to a broad range of participants.

For eLearning services to be successful in the various regions, the solutions applied must be aligned with the specific needs and conditions on the ground. Achieving sustainable results in eLearning projects depends not only on the infrastructural conditions but also on developing capacities at all flanking levels and on embedding all activities in a coordinated strategy.

ELearning poses new challenges in terms of the design of teaching and learning frameworks. It requires teachers to adapt to new roles as moderators and advisors in the learning process. In order to increase the acceptance and recognition of eLearning, it is necessary to develop appropriate standards and organisational frameworks - a task that falls to decision-makers in particular.

To make eLearning services successful in different regions, it is essential to customize the applied solutions to the respective requirements and preconditions. Hence, in order to assure sustainable success of an eLearning project together with the infrastructure, accompanying measures in the field of Capacity Development are required. In addition, the implementation of a strategy that integrates and coordinates all activities is crucial.

At eLearning Africa 2007, German development cooperation organisations will be presenting their joint efforts to promote the use of eLearning for sustainable development. In working groups and at public forums, staff from InWEnt Capacity Building International Germany, the German Development Service (DED) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH will join with partners from Africa to report on their work and the experience gained in this field to date.

Under the motto "Capacity Development for eLearning in Africa", German Development Cooperation organisations will showcase strategies and approaches that contribute to mastering the challenges rising in eLearning project work. At their conference stand, the German Ministry for Cooperation (BMZ), DED, GTZ, and InWEnt will also provide information on the latest developments, strategies, and solutions for expanding eLearning capacity in partner countries.

Capacity Development at GTZ
InWEnt Capacity Building International Germany
DED - the German Development Service

Quelle: checkpoint eLearning

First International Conference on Key Competencies

uehlers — 2007-05-10T12:02:00Z

London (UK), April 2007 Another summer event organized by the EIfEL association is the First International Conference on Key Competencies:
Skills for Life 2007. It will take place at the City University in London on 12-13 July 2007. Registration and call for abstracts are now open.

Quelle: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/3962.html

EDEN Conference in Naples

uehlers — 2007-05-09T08:58:00Z

On June 13th we will organise a pre conference workshop at the EDEN conference in Naples to explore the European field of quality awards and marks further. More info you find on http://www.qualityfoundation.org

Successful Strategies for Implementing ICT in Schools

uehlers — 2007-05-08T13:40:00Z

Nairobi (KEN), May 2007 - James Kiarie is Senior Quality Assurance and Standards Officer at the Ministry of Education, Kenya. He is involved in various projects on computer use in school. At the eLearning Africa conference, he will present his findings on the influence of teachers'
cognitive eLearning readiness in the adoption of ICT in schools.

Source: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/3936.html

Learning Visions: Capacity Development for eLearning

uehlers — 2007-05-08T12:21:00Z

Together with INWENT, Learning Visoions, the European Institut for Education, Training and Competence organises a workshop on enabling teacher to organise online courses Education and knowledge are the key factors driving national economic and social development. Broad-scale citizens participation in education processes is therefore crucial for sustainable poverty reduction. In the majority of developing countries, however, only a small fraction of the population has access to education and knowledge, and the educational services on offer are frequently of poor quality and hence not very effective. The problem of insufficient teaching and learning materials is compounded by a lack of qualified teaching staff. eTutoring is one crucial component which is necessary to facilitate the growth and effective spread and use of eLearning in the African context. The workshop will be organised and lead by Dr. Virginie Aimard, director of Learning Visions.

E-Learning Africa!! Partnership Opportunities between Europe and Africa

uehlers — 2007-05-03T11:24:00Z

An interesting project where we also want to participate in the future:

Dakar (SEN), May 2007 - START (also called the EuroAfrica-ICT initiative) is a project supported by the European Commission. It aims at connecting Sub-Saharan Africa and the European Union for ICT partnerships through the Framework Programme 7. Ken Lohento from the Panos Institute West Africa is Coordinator of the START initiative in West and Central Africa. He gives us an update on the situation.

Quelle:
http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/3928.html

VIWIS Workshop 14. und 15.6.2007 in München

uehlers — 2007-05-01T06:39:00Z

Neue Technologie - neues Lernen: Visionen & Realitäten

München, April 2007 - Welchen Einfluss haben die neuen Technologien auf das Lernen? Wie weit klaffen Vision und Realität auseinander? Antworten auf diese Fragen gibt das VIWIS eLearning Forum am 14. und 15. November 2007 in Billerbeck.

http://www.checkpoint-elearning.de/article/3937.html

"Die Qualität entscheidet über den Lernerfolg! Wie erreicht man E-Learning-Content...

uehlers — 2007-04-16T15:22:00Z

Am 23. und 24. April findet in Frankfurt am Main die WEBACAD-Fachkonferenz zum Thema "Die Qualität entscheidet über den Lernerfolg! Wie erreicht man E-Learning-Content mit Qualität?" statt. Mit E-Learning Mehrwert schaffen und nachhaltig Lernerfolge sichern, das sind die zentralen Anliegen der Weiterbildungsverantwortlichen in den Unternehmen. Die WEBACADFachkonferenz vermittelt konkrete Tipps und Handlungsanleitungen, wie die Qualität von E-Learning-Inhalten bewertet wird und welche Wege der Qualitätssteigerung sich anbieten. Neben Referaten aus der Wissenschaft und der Praxis werden die Teilnehmer aktiv in Gruppenarbeiten eingebunden, in denen sie sich unter Anleitung der Experten konkretes Wissen und Handlungsanleitungen im Umgang mit E-Learning-Content erarbeiten.
Weitere Informationen unter
http://www.webacad.de/index.cfm?web_nav=p_7200&u_web_nav=p_7218&u_web_nav2=form_p

Fragen des Urheberrechts beim eLearning an Hochschulen

uehlers — 2007-04-16T13:56:00Z

IPR - eine schwierige Frage - an der Uni Oldenburg gibt es jetzt einen Workshop zum Thema.

Oldenburg, April 2007 - ELearning an Hochschulen basiert im Wesentlichen auf der Nutzung urheberrechtlich geschützten Materials; sei es die Erstellung digitalen Lehrmaterials oder der Verwendung vorbestehender Werke zur Veranschaulichung der Lehre. Die ELAN AG bietet hierzu am 15.
Mai 2007 einen Workshop an.
Quelle: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.de/article/3735.html

"The PISA-Quest - Besser Lernen von und mit Games"

uehlers — 2007-04-16T13:55:00Z

Auch PISA hat mit Qualität zu tun... --> Darmstadt, April 2007 - Das schlechte Abschneiden der deutschen Schüler bei der PISA-Studie wirft die Frage nach den Ursachen dieser Entwicklung auf. Als Gründe für die mangelhaften Leistungen werden in erster Linie der hohe Medienkonsum und die intensive Nutzung digitaler Medien - insbesondere Bildschirmspiele - genannt. Andererseits wird die Forderung nach neuen und effektiveren Lernmethoden laut. Bieten aber nicht gerade digitale Spiele neue Ansätze für einen Ausweg aus dieser Problematik?
Quelle: http://www.checkpoint-elearning.de/article/3774.html