In Pecha Kucha the presenter speaks for 20 seconds on each of 20 slides. It was the first time I’ve seen this format of presentation and it worked well. A surprisingly large amount can be communicated in 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
The ‘Technology in Action’ strand focused on the practical demonstrations of new technologies usually by vendors or vendors in association with an academic or learning technologist.
The reduction in the overall number of presentations also made the conference more enjoyable with greater opportunities for networking and less information overload. I would have preferred if the research and practitioner presentations were the same length to facilitate switching between them.
Altogether a well-organised and enjoyable conference. Congratulations to all involved.
Innovative teaching and learning individuals or teams (either academic or student-based) are invited to apply for the inaugural Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning.
Jenn was a leading teaching and learning innovator and a highly regarded friend of the Irish Learning Technology community who sadly passed away in June 2007.
The award has been established by Dublin City University and the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA) to recognise and reward innovative practice in Irish teaching and learning. The award is about innovative ideas put into practice. The person or persons should be nominated on the basis of an innovative idea that is effective in supporting learning. The innovative idea needs to have been put into practice and have worked with a group of learners.
The submission process is novel. No portfolios required! Original, innovative and creative submissions are sought . They could be a short video, audio or multi-media submission. A maximum of 10 minutes is allowed for the judges to review each submission. Those shortlisted will be invited to a Dragons’ Den-type presentation forum.
The winner will receive a specially commissioned piece of artwork by by Majella O’Neill Collins which will reside in the award winner’s institution for one year, and a prize that will be retained by the award winner. More information from the award website, the closing date is Friday, February 13th. Good luck innovators!
The EdTech 2008 conference presentations have been published on the ILTA web site. They are divided into three strands practitioner, research and postgraduate with the bulk of the presentations (29 out of 45) being practitioner papers. Being one of the organisers I did not have time to blog at the conference but I can recall the highlights – the best probably being Larry McNutt’s keynote presentation An exploration of the habitus of educational technologists: What does the research tell us? where he explored the beliefs and values of educational technologists.
Practitioner presentations covered topics ranging from podcasting to screencasting, reflection to assessment, communities of practice to e-twinning and learning organisations to learning objects.
Gorka Palazio, a participant from the Basque region of Spain, recorded his experiences on video…
The programme for EdTech 2008 - the Irish Educational Technology Conference – has been published. The ninth annual conference showcases research and practice in educational technology at third level in Ireland and abroad. It takes place in Dundalk Institute of Technology on May 22nd – 23rd.
Keynotes include:
Sudhir Giri, Head of Learning Operations & Technologies, Google EMEA
Jane Hughes of the Centre for the Advancement of Learning & Teaching (CALT), University College London
Larry McNutt, Head of School of Informatics and Engineering, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown
There will also be over 40 presentations by practitioners, researchers and postgraduate students in four tracks on the theme of Breaking the Barriers focusing on three stands Open Source to Open Content, New Frontiers and Transforming Learning Practice.
ILTA, the Irish Learning Technology Association presents EdTech 2008, the Ninth Annual Irish Educational Technology Users’ Conference at Dundalk Institute of Technology from 22nd – 23rd May, 2008. This is Ireland’s largest gathering of academia and industry professionals interested in the application of information technology in education. The conference theme is Breaking Barriers. It includes the sub-themes of Open Source to Open Content, New Frontiers and Transforming Learning from Practice. The Call for Submissions is now open. Further details from ILTA www.ilta.net
