Creating Social Communities in LLC

An interesting initiative made by Lewis Castle College (LCC) is the creation of a LLC social community using ELGG application (similar to Facebook). This is done in the effort to create a sense of community amongst students and staff especially when they are dispersed across Scotland and abroad. It has been very effective so far in connecting all those associated with LLC. This is a worthy idea to explore at USP, creating that sense of community amongst our staff and students sprawled across the 12 member countries.

Online Learning Philosphy at LLC

An interesting comment made by the Head of Educational Technology, Mr. John Smith with regard to online learning is Lewis Castle College's (LLC) focus on having a blended format in its delivery. This is mainly due to:
(1) Maintaining that competitive edge in contrast to other key players in the field - Open University, UK for instance in other words by offering courses fully online means that they are in direct competition with big players such as Open University, UK.
(2) offering courses in blended formats ensures that it caters for varying learning styles as opposed to offering courses purely online which may not be necessarily appropriate for all learners.
They have recognised the appropriateness of applying the "purely online" format for the postgraduate level but this is applied to specific programmes only. Note that all students of LLC have good internet access. Food for thought for your deliberations...

Just Blurb it!!

Blurb is an application that lets you self publish your own photo book, cookbook, portfolio, and more with free software. And its reasonably priced as well! The project will be using this application to publish its findings towards the end of the project. We saw a product of this application on books that Professor Frank Rennie published. Check out samples of the book below.

Technology Training, Stornoway Scotland

Louise and I are in Stornoway, Scotland currently working from Lewis Castle College which is part of University of Islands and Highlands (UHI). We are currently involved in technology training as per the project activities. We have picked on some applications for possible use as follows:
Articulate which can be used for creating synchronised presentations, interactive quizzes and animations and you don't need to be a animation expert!!!
Camstudio which is camtasia's open source version
The one Louise and I are using for repurposing the course is call Magnolia, an open source content editing suite that is so easy to use. UWI is at this moment testing it after we gave a demonstration yesterday afternoon.
We are meeting with the Head of Educational Technology here in Lewis Castle this afternoon, Mr. John Smith and more tidbits later!

Tribute to Professor Robin Mason

(Professor Robin Mason - left back)

Louise and I would like to take this opportunity to relate our deep felt sympathies to Professor Robin Mason's family and friends for her untimely passing away.

We have gained much from her during interactions of this project. She will surely be missed.

To view tributes to Professor Robin Mason go to: http://iet-public-wiki.open.ac.uk/index.php/Robin