Article archive

The final VENUS Training Workshop on how to organise virtual seminars and summer schools via videoconferencing takes place on Monday 11th February. This workshop highlights in very practical ways how you can bring intercultural dialogue into your classroom, create new instructional design models and find ways to put in place a highly innovative Faculty of Extension, for more information see http://www.venus-seminars.net

When asked recently for his 2007 highlights, Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karel de Gucht, identified the March 2007 Brussels Conference on Good Governance. In his interview with Belgian newspaper "De Standaard", de Gucht states "Probably the international conference on Good Governance that we organized in Brussels, with Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson as a speaker. The conference was broad in its approach, the whole world was present and this potentially has impact on the longer term. We don't only have to talk about the security of countries, but also about human security: cluster bombs, water, good governance." ATiT supported the conference through the provision of a live web site and multimedia. For more information about the event, visit the conference web site http://www.improvinggovernance.be

Mathy Vanbuel and Sally Reynolds contributed to the recently published EuroPACE publication, "European Networking and Learning for the Future. The EuroPACE Approach". This book collects articles from different authors involved in the development of the EuroPACE network and positions EuroPACE in the landscape of international networked e-learning. The articles give an overview of the history of the EuroPACE network and the changes that took place in the field of technology enhanced education and training over the past 20 years. For further information about this book including how to order it, visit the EuroPACE web site.

Learn@Work is a Socrates Minerva project (2005-2008) focusing on the use of ICT to enhance the induction and continuing support for learners in the workplace. Together with Glasgow Caledonian University, Dublin Institute of Technology, Aalborg University, and The Institute for Future Studies in Innsbruck, ATiT developed pilots and models for training in companies, especially for newcomers. 

The project's main aim was to explore the synthesis between the theories, conceptual frameworks and practices of distance learning, e-learning, work based learning and work placed learning in order to provide the training community with practical examples guidance on the design and implementation of e-supported learning at work.

This State of The Art Report was edited by Marie Bijnens and Mathy Vanbuel and was published at the end of the project in 2007. It contains an overview of the theory on work-based learning and e-Learning on the work floor, and illustrates the theory with extensive descriptions of the pilot applications that were built during the project lifecycle.

More about the Learn@Work Project on the Project Website.

The kick off meeting for the new Re.VICa project will take place Tuesday and Wednesday 8/9 January in Leuven and will bring all partners together for the first time. The purpose of this 2 year project is to make an inventory and systematic review of cross-institutional Virtual Campus initiatives of the past decade within higher education at European, national and regional levels. Outputs will include a set of action points that can be applied to ensure the realisation of successful European Virtual Campus initiatives. While participating in most of the work packages as a partner, ATiT's main role will be on promotion and awareness raising in respect to the work and outcomes of Re.VICa. The other partners participating are: EuroPACE (BE), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – AVNet (BE), FernUniversität in Hagen (DE), Helsinki University of Technology, TKK Dipoli) (FI), Université Louis Pasteur (FR), University of West-Hungary(HU), International Telematic University UNINETTUNO (IT)  and Matic Media Ltd (UK)

The Indonesian Minister of Education, Dr. Bambang Sudibyo, recently launched the large-scale BERMUTU Programme to upgrade teachers via an extensive videoconferencing network. This network, utilising sites from the GDLN and Inherent networks, linked 15 locations across three different time zones stretching from Aceh in the western tip of Indonesia to Jayapura in the east. Support and training for the participating sites was provided by Mathy Vanbuel and Sally Reynolds during a two week long visit to Jakarta culminating in the event which took place on 18th December.

The Indonesian Government will launch and disseminate information about the new BERMUTU Programme (Better Education through Reformed Management and Universal Teacher Upgrading Project) on December 18th through an event linking 14 local sites via the GDLN and Inherent videoconferencing networks. This major national event will bring together leading national figures, local representatives, provincial and district staff. Mathy Vanbuel and Sally Reynolds are providing support to the Ministry of National Education in the lead-up to this event.

One of the highlights of Online Educa Berlin this year was the lively and somewhat controversial discussion that took place on Thursday 29th November between Andrew Keen and Prof. Sugata Mitra, chaired by Harold Elletson. Sugata's belief borne out through his extensive and very moving experiments in India that children with absolutely no prior knowledge of computers can make terrific strides in a short time with no support sent a very positive message to the more than 2100 people attending OEB this year. Meanwhile, Andrew set a lively debate in motion about a variety of ethical issues related to Web 2.0 and generated significant discussion and often very heated opposition.

On 27 November 2007, over 240 delegates gathered at Berlin's Technische Universitat (Technical University) for a an awards ceremony preceded by a keynote speech from Kaleidoscope's Scientific Manager, Sten Ludvigsen. The awards ceremony concluded the first day of the Kaleidoscope Symposium, a two day celebration, reflection and exploration of the major achievements of the Kaleidoscope project over four years.

All roads lead to Berlin on Wednesday 28th November for the annual Online Educa Berlin conference. With a packed agenda including several new elements, OEB07 looks set to break all previous records in terms of quality and participation. Poised to attract more than 2000 participants from 92 countries, its a good opportunity for us in ATiT to get togeher with old friends as well as meeting new people. Looking forward to seeing you there!