ASCILITE NEWS

Transforming Assessment / e-Assessment SIG News

Topic: “Developing a 4‐dimensional interdisciplinary learning environment”

Date & Time: 3 Feb 2016, 7am UTC. Visit this link for your local time zone.

Presenters: Dr Chris Landorf, University of Queensland, Australia

Abstract: Work-integrated learning has been suggested as a means to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context and produce graduates who are ready to engage immediately and effectively in their chosen professional settings. However in a number of professions such as construction, civil engineering, mining, agriculture, manufacturing, offshore oil and gas, there are significant constraints on placing large student cohorts of students on work sites. This presentation will report on the development of an interactive digital learning environment and associated learning activities for construction industry learners. The learning environment is based on a time-lapse 3-dimensional (4D) visualisation of a major construction project, the University of Queensland’s Advanced Engineering Building. Additional resources associated with the design and construction of the building including interviews, design documents and contracts are also integrated. This provides a realistic context for simulated in-class activities and assignment work that activate student learning and enhance critical thinking skills using problem-based learning approaches. The project was funded upgrades. by an Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching grant.

Recording available

The webinar conducted on 9 Dec 2015 is now available for viewing. The topic was “Providing meaningful learning analytics data to teachers: a tool to complete the loop” presented by Professor Gregor Kennedy, Dr Linda Corrin and Ms Paula De Barba (University of Melbourne). View and download resources here.

OTHER NEWS

Call for Papers: mLearn 2016

The 15th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning will be held on 23-26 October 2016 at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. You are invited to join this conference to celebrate “Mobile learning futures: Sustaining quality research and practice in mobile learning”.

Important Dates

Open for paper submission: 1 March 2016
Full paper submission due: 30 May 2016
Notification of acceptance: 25 July 2016
Last date for early-bird registration: 8 August 2016

Submissions are invited for:

Long papers (8 pages)
Short papers (3 pages)
Workshops (2 pages)
Posters (250 words)
Panels (500 words)
Industry showcase &presentation (1-2 page)
Doctoral Consortium (4 pages)
Practitioner’s presentation (300 words)

All submissions will be double blind peer-reviewed by an international review committee. See www.mlearn2016.com for more details.

Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

Theories of sustainable mobile learning
Challenges in sustaining mobile learning
Research methods that capture evidence of sustainable mobile learning impact
Ecological research into sustainable mobile learning
Sustainable practice over a period of years in mobile-enabled learning
Large-scale deployment of mobile learning
BYOD implementation, challenges and sustainability
Sustainability in the Asian century
Mobile learning to serve the under-served in developing countries
Open and distance learning with mobile technologies
Policy supporting sustainable mobile learning
Research into mobile-enabled education for Indigenous people
Bridging the nexus between formal, non-formal and informal mobile learning
Flipped classroom education supported by mobile technologies
Games, augmented reality and/or simulations in mobile learning
Trends in learning with smart devices
Emerging hardware and applications that support sustainable mobile learning
Best practices in discipline focused learning with mobile technologies – science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, health education, language education, arts and humanities education – economics, geography, history, social sciences, etc.

For enquiries, email: contact@mlearn2016.com

Hope to see you there,

Associate Professor Wan Ng (Conference Chair)
School of Education, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Dr Laurel Evelyn Dyson (Co-Chair)
School of Software, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

2016 Malawi Education Conference

The 2016 Malawi Education Conference takes place on 25 – 27 July at Chancellor College, Zomba, Malawi. This conference is organized by the Education Foundations Department under 7-12-15 the faculty of Education, Chancellor College of the University of Malawi.

This international conference brings together critical stakeholders from the education and NGO sectors, government, and the business community. We invite academics, researchers, teachers, activists, policy makers, community leaders, youth, and other concerned stakeholders from the world over to join us to debate and deliberate and inform policy on the role of educational foundation studies in building sustainable education systems and development.

The conference will feature two and half days of educational sessions, networking events, and outdoor activities all centered around education foundations studies. This is an opportunity to share, learn and discuss the trends, best practices, research and the future.

The closing date for submitting abstracts for this conference is 31 January 2016. Abstracts can be submitted through the email educonf2016@cc.ac.mw or the following link http://goo.gl/forms/bt2aFcepXK

Also note that we are opening up to interested NGOs to present their project/program findings, lessons, best practices or emerging issues. Those interested should also submit some kind of an abstract/summary by 31st January 2016. The presentations should be focused on the conference sub-themes as per attachment.

IMLF2016: Final Call for Participation

This is the final call for submissions which are due on 15 February, 2016 for the International Mobile Learning Festival 2016: Mobile Learning, Emerging learning Design & Learning 2.0

The festival will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 27 – 28 2016. For full details, visit the website here.

Job Vacancy: Manager, Learnline Development & Training, Charles Darwin University

Looking for a change? Charles Darwin University, located in Darwin has an exciting opportunity available as the Manager, Learnline Development and Training.With summer all year long, a tropical lifestyle and close to Asia, Darwin is a fantastic city to live and work in.

The Learnline Development and Training team look after CDU’s suite of learning technologies. The manager’s role offers many opportunities to work in a creative and exciting environment to support high quality learning and teaching at a highly respected university (ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 2% of universities in the world).

For further information see: http://www.cdu.edu.au/ohrs/jobsatcdu.html#

Job Vacancy: Head, Blended Learning and Innovation, James Cook University

3 year fixed term contract, Academic Level D
Applications close: 5 February, 2016

Overview of position

The Head, Blended Learning and Innovation plays a key strategic role in blended learning and innovation at the University. The Head Blended Learning and Innovation will lead the design, implementation, training and ongoing refinement of JCU’s approach to digital learning, blended learning and technology integration across the university. The role is focused on the continued development and implementation of blended learning strategies. The role includes managing relationships with external partners. The Head, Blended Learning and Innovation working closely with the Dean and Managers within the Directorate to align operations, strategy, policy and procedures and work collaboratively with University staff to enhance learning and teaching. The incumbent will model a scholarly approach to learning and teaching and actively engage with grant opportunities.

Principal Accountabilities

The appointee will be responsible for:

Identify and evaluate areas of innovation and improvement and lead the development and implementation of policy positions that foster strategic and innovative learning and teaching practices across the University
Work with teaching staff, Associate Deans, Learning and Teaching, Course and subject coordinators and relevant committees to implement innovative approaches to teaching and learning that leverage emerging technologies, including chairing the Learning Technologies Advisory Committee.
Lead the investigation, observation and collation of best-practice pedagogical approaches and the adoption of new developments and innovations in digital learning in a complex and fast moving environment and provide advice to senior managers in relation to same.
Lead and manage project teams to achieve strategic outcomes, including the supervision of learning and teaching systems staff and other staff supporting curriculum design and innovation in online and blended learning.
Build and maintain cooperative relationships with vendors and third party providers as key business partners, optimising the opportunities to leverage innovat
Promote a partnership approach with the Directorate by liaising, consulting with and providing leadership and strategic advice to Colleges and all JCU campuses to ensure active engagement with learning innovation and all areas of the Directorate’s activities.
Design and deliver appropriate professional development for both teaching staff and students in new learning environments.
Conduct research in learning innovation, and develop the capacity of JCU staff to engage effectively with external funding bodies to secure relevant grants.
Support the University’s commitment to the principles of reconciliation, which exemplify respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and the valuing of justice and equity for all Australians.
Demonstrate a commitment to the University values.
Support the principles of the TropEco program and engage in commitment to JCU sustainability goals and objectives.

How to apply

To view the position description and submit your application for this position please visit www.jcu.edu.au/jobs and refer to vacancy reference 15467 – Head, Blended Learning and Innovation.

In support of your application, candidates are asked to submit the following information via the website:
• Covering letter
• Resume
• Statement systematically addressing the selection criteria (contained in the Position Description)
• Referee reports

Enquiries

If you have any enquiries regarding this position please contact:

Professor Angela Hill
Manager, Blended Learning and Innovation
Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement
Division of Academic and Student Life
James Cook University.
T: +61 7 478 16133
M: +61 (0) 403833864
E: angela.hill@jcu.edu.au