Attending FOTE2010 today at Senate House. This one day conference has been much hyped so looking forward to getting a glimpse of the future and what it means for education, and therefore LSE, henceforth. I’m reporting from the event so will be updating this post as I go.
Future Vision – Ray Fleming (Microsoft)
Very slick presentation with inspiring video and stylish graphics. The video portrayed a near future that is visible given the innovation currently under way in the labs. Pervasive screens and touch/gesture based interfaces were pervasive, with screens on almost everything from fabric to floors to coffee mugs. The underlying message was that the production and use of content will become very much part of the physical world rather than being confined to a workstation or device. Screens will simulate reality and augment it in powerful but subtle ways, so much so that the screen becomes almost invisible. Reminiscent of Minority Report, we saw content moving from one screen to another, epaper which can be folded, and communication between people and groups as if talking through a window. Ray then analysed the video to explain what was behind the vision and showed examples of actually devices/concepts that are in the loop now.
Slides: Future Vision (link to follow)
The Mobile University: last year’s model – Jeremy Speller (UCL)
Jeremy explained that the model we have is the model we’ve always had, and that there was little uptake of the technology available to actually advance pedagogy. The point being that technology – if adopted at all – was being used as a substitute for existing devices/techniques/etc rather than being used to change teaching and learning for the better.
For me, for pedagogy is to be transformed, the student/teacher engagement needs to be balanced and at the centre of the learning process. My belief is that teachers are the best qualified to lead on this, not technologists. Moreover, to decide when students a capable enough to learn for themselves.
Slides: The Mobile University: last year’s model (link to follow)
Campus and SmartPhone Adoption – Hugh Griffiths (Hugh Griffiths)
Smart phones are now pervasive and although a peculiarity until recently, they have been adopted by many if not the majority. A look at the campusM service currently used by LSE and many other universities. I think these looked rather dated compared with Microsoft’s visuals, which reinforces the power of the designer.
Key message for me was that content needs to be produced, and dare I say curated, for use and reuse. This is fundamental for us in web as we Ned to ensure that content management assumes – as was always the ideal – many and varied media and channels through which it is delivered.
Slides: Campus and SmartPhone Adoption
Unlocking Learning: Computer Games in Education – Ollie Bray (Learning & Technology Scotland)
Good examples of computer game learning for young children. As somebody who grew up playing computer games, this is a no-brained for me. Good grief, they’re still discussing this and good grief it’s still in its infancy. I remember my maths teacher writing computer games for us. Clearly things have moved on but the progress is frankly well behind what then potential.
Slides: Unlocking Learning: Computer Games in Education (link to follow)
Augmented Reality in Education – James Alliban (Skive)
Amazing presentation packed with real examples of AR threaded together to present the state of play and indicate how this will impact upon education. AR is basically the synthesis of reality and virtual reality (VR). This appears as computer images overlaid on live video to make them look as if part of the video. The distinctive thing is that it is live: move the camera and the graphics stay tied to the part of the image they relate to. So, a surgeon can have an xray can be superimposed on the image of a leg to enable the bones to be seen under the flesh.
Work is underway to use glasses and even contact lenses to get beyond the screen. One example by Pranev Mistry used a projector to project information onto real objects.
Slides: Augmented Reality in Education (link to follow)
Geolocation – Miles Metcalf (Learning Two)
Thoughtful and analytical review of the technology-centric life we now lead. The changes to privacy have been rapid and fundamental. Packed with interesting phrases like “Uncritical neophilia of the digerati”. I think it’s fair to say that Miles’ talk is a warning to pause on occasion and reflect rather than be seduced by the next innovation.
Slides: Geolocation (link to follow)
The iPad is the Future of Reading – James Clay (Gloucestershire College)
Gee. So like I’m struggling to get like the point of James’ presentation. The wonder of the iPad is that you don’t need to preach its virtues: they are self-evident. Suspect he must be surrounded by nay-Sayers.
Slides: The iPad is the Future of Reading (link to follow)
iTunesU/Podcasting – panel discussion chaired by Bill Ashraf
Discussants: Sally Hamford (?), Sarah Sherman (Bloomsbury Colleges), ? (?), James Clay (Gloucester College)
Obvious questions yielding obvious answers. Interestingly James’ sees no value of iTunes for his organisation so they’re not embracing it. Question of who owns content has arisen and unsurprisingly no concrete answers. Dull dull dull.
Slides: No slides.
We Have the Technology. We have the Capability … All We Need is Love – Matt Lingard (LSE)
Matt talked about the lack of enthusiasm within the teaching profession for using technology to enhance and even transform their teaching. Surprisingly there is very little research into the attitudes of teachers. The ‘love’ is getting teachers enthused and active.
Slides: We Have the Technology. We have the Capability … All We Need is Love
OK, I’m leaving the conference now. Too much to do and I’ve seen the talks I wanted to see. Will post links to all presentations if and when I get access to them.
Best wishes,
Stephen…