Learn 4 Life

Interview with Joe Wilson over Gmail video; London to Glasgow and back again…

Joe Wilson, Head of New Ventures at the SQA - NB - video interview at the bottom of the blog

I recently interviewed Joe, whose new job is Head of New Ventures at the SQA. Joe looked a bit quizzical when I referred to the New Generation User Skills Report at the beginning of the interview but was too polite to correct me. It is, of course, the Next Generation User Skills report and I have blogged about this previously.

The gmail connection held up well and I appreciate someone as busy as Joe making time to give this interview with all the inherent risks and glitches that can happen over a live connection. (note: I did use the wonderful Levelator to re-level the sound because of the discrepancies in volume - try it it works wonderfully.)

Genesis of the NGUSR, Diva Project and Curriculum for Excellence

He talks about his background at the awarding body, his experience of using mutlimedia as a lecturer in a college for 20 years and how that helped him review the landscape for a User Skills Report. As well as the NGUSR he also outlines various initiatives like the Diva Project in Scotland and how he has worked with vendors but also how the NGUSR will feed back into the Curriculum for Excellence. His remit now extends to adults and lifelong learning as well which is what Learn 4 Life coverage is all about!

GLOW and dynamic curriculum

He also talks about GLOW and his vision of communities of practice, directories of subject specialists and a more dynamic curriculum development; the system being changed by the deliverers - one of the things I hinted at in asking Norbert Pacheler at the end of the film in my previous blog. One of the joys of my job is seeing how research, practice and trends all seem to be leading to change in various areas and the research coming out does seem to be backing up Joe’s vision. Interviewing people in the learning landscape at many levels does help give an insight into the learning maps that might evolve.

Google and vocational spaces

He is also looking at using Google in the vocational space in Scotland and e-portfolios - his work with the vendors in the Diva Project has proved a good grounding in this. He also shared his idea of how Scotland might use content in all sorts of different way with various stakeholders. Exciting stuff and Scotland has the added advantage of Glow that can hold and disseminate this, something that can’t be done in England as there is no pan-VLE like it. That is going to be a big challenge in the future.

Work based learning

I really wished I had talked to him more about work based learning but no doubt he will be blogging about that at his excellent Experimental Blog. I really would like to thank him once again for just giving me a taster of his vision for learning in the future.

Education and learning need people like Joe and as an addendum I spotted him lurking at the bottom of the EdTechRoundup FlashMeeting this Sunday and I know how busy he is! How many other policy makers would take the time out to gather intelligence about grass roots teacher innovators like this. He has my immense respect.

Click To Play

Please do check out the links in this blog and reflect how we would go forward in England in the light of what is so much innovative practice in Scotland. As Joe said - they do also have their own unique challenges but it was a fascinating 20 minutes. As part of my broadcasting plan/ personal professional development for 2009 I hope to do more of these mini insights into the world of policy makers in the future - watch this space…

Live streaming from the Moodle Moot UK 2007

To see the Live Stream from the UK Moodle Moot just click here.

If you have an Avatar in Second Life go to here to chat with others about the presentations especially the one on Sloodle!

Pop along to the Moodle Moot Second Life Space at:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Learn4Life/134/109/26.

We’ve also set up a Moodle Moot Twitter Group at http://www.twitter.com/moodlemoot07 should you wish to play.

Now playing in the Second Life City Learning Centre

We thought this might be fun. To show you what is possible - we are now playing the Vidcast we did of Alex Savage and Joe Dale in the Second Life CLC - nothing like a bit of virtual CPD now is there.

We have now comprehensively cracked how to do this in the Second Life environment and we are embarking on the next stage of our building works. The Learn 4 life Island will soon be open for public scrutiny (some parts will be locked down as courses are being trialled). So keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of the facilites and if you want to join us and several other innovative early adopters please get in touch with Leon Cych - his details are on the contact tab.

Learn 4 Life Island in Second Life

Learn 4 Life now has its own Island in Second Life on the Main Grid. We are already taking orders from CLCs, schools and other innovators who want to join us in a high profile initiative.

Want to be part of the first wave - get in touch for rates and consultancy.

Learn 4 Life branches out into Second Life

Our office in Second Life at Education UK. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Education%20UK/224, 127, 21

FUTURE LEARNING

Learn 4 Life has always been at the forefront of Innovation in Education, as well as offering free podcasts and videos about teaching and learning in innovation in ICT in the UK and abroad, we are now branching out into providing services in Second Life.

PARTNERSHIPS

Initially we will be interested in partnering with anyone interested in getting effective and workable pedagogies off the ground through blue sky research and development. After this phase we will be putting our expertise into making solid practical applications that work for schools, universities and the wider educational and home communities. We will be actively lobbying for mainstreaming these and combating ignorance about the virtual world environment.

If you are an educational professional, organisation or researcher who has some experience of working in distance learning and Second Life and want to partner up in mutually interesting and exciting developments please get in touch by clicking on the SURL above and teleporting to our offices and leaving a calling card or emailing us at the address below.

We believe that part of the personalisation agenda can be met through Virtual Worlds either through Continuous Professional Development for your staff or through visionary strategic management of compelling distance learning. We believe this technology will be mainstream in a few years and our aim is to bring an awareness of the possibilities to full time education - here and now.

BROADCASTING OPPORTUNITIES

We have now started to broadcast from within Second Life in the form of on-demand vodcasting and podcasting. We have beaten most of the main media companies to the post here and we are always on the lookout for new, highly innovative but effective projects to film and podcast. Please get in touch if you have an idea or project you’d like us to look at or want to sponsor our film season. We have already had a keen interest from partners wanting to sponsor films.

CONSULTANCY

On the basis of this we are now offering consultancy for rapid developments and builds in Second Life. Want to know what Second Life is all about? We can offer courses tailored to individuals or organisations by experienced educational professionals. Look out for our Wiki resources.
TALKS

Does your organisation need an insight into the virtual world or a forward look into 21st Century learning - book us for a presentation or talk.

VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL BUILDS

You have BSF (Building Schools or the Future) but do you have flexibility of completley different environments for learning? Want to make the equivalent of a City Learning Centre or a LA CPD virtual infrastructure or even a School on the Main or Teen Second Life Grid? We can help make that a reality? You don’t need massive building costs to make that happen but you do need vision and the will to try something different for the 21st Century.

Need a secure virtual staffroom or senior management meeting place for Headteachers and other staff over a large geographical area? Then contact us.

DISTANCE LEARNING

International School that needs a space for parents and pupils to keep in touch with family and friends? Email us.

TRAINING

Need training for your staff in the basics of Second Life or a virtual space where staff can come and learn about skills needed for distance learning - then email us below? We’ll be happy to offer consultation and help getting you “in-world” safely and securely with the minimum of fuss?

In another country and are interested in setting up distance learning courses using Second Life - what are the latest developments and technologies? - Then come see us.

University or e-learning specialist? Do you want a crash course in SL - contact us - we will find colleagues that work in your area that can help.

BUSINESS TO BUSINESS

Need a presence in Second Life and need a quick and informed guide to how to get a presence and a start-up in-world. Just get in touch.

COMMERCIAL BUILDS

Educational Commercial Firm - want a SL presence - you’ve come to the right place - contact us for a meet in RL or SL.

CONTACT

Whatever your needs please contact us and why not join our group ‘Learn 4 Life’ in Second Life to see developments while you are at it.

for more contact info see here.