Friday 25 January 2013

Open Northampton gathers pace


Following our successful bid to the Leadership Foundation, under the Changing the Learning Landscape scheme, Professor Megan Quentin-Baxter from Newcastle University visited Northampton on 17 January, where she held meeting with a range of colleagues interested in the Open Northampton project.
Megan presenting pictureShe delivered an introductory session on open educational resources (OER) and open educational practices (OEP), attended by 25 representatives from our staff and students.
As a result of consultation with various groups during the session, Megan collated some of the collective thoughts around what are some of the key terms with reference to OERs and OEPs; Some of the dreams and nightmares; and some of the enablers and barriers.
Megan will compile a structured plan to develop and enhance staff and students’ digital literacies in relation to open educational resources and associated practices, both as users and contributors.

Saturday 19 January 2013

Open Northampton – gaining momentum

Taken from: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/2013/01/08/open-northampton-gaining-momentum/ by Rob Howe




The Open Northampton project aims to put the university on the global map of open educational resources (OER) and develop appropriate open practices in curriculum design and delivery. Approval by UET was obtained and work has begun on a number of fronts. A bid was secured from the Leadership Foundation, which will provide the university with consultancy time led by Professor Megan Quentin-Baxter of Newcastle University. Megan is well known in the field of OER. She and Tim Seale of the Open University will be running sessions on various aspects of open practices at Northampton. Their contribution will be valuable to get the Open Northampton project off the ground, and to raise awareness of OER across the university.
Sessions will be held on 17 and 28 January, 12 and 20 February, 5 and 20 March. We would very much encourage colleagues to participate in these sessions. 

For further details, please contact rob.howe@northampton.ac.uk or ale.armellini@northampton.ac.uk.

Learntech and iNorthampton app

Two blog entries concerning the Learning Technology Team and the iNorthampton app taken from: http://blogs.northampton.ac.uk/learntech/





Julie Usher left the team at the end of June 2012 and Adel Gordon subsequently moved into the role of supporting Science and Technology. Rob Farmer moved into the role of supporting Arts.
Belinda Green joined the team on 17th September as dedicated Learning Technologist for The School of Education (funded by the School). This is similar to Andy Stenhouse who is funded by The School of Health and is their dedicated Learning Technologist. Al Holloway maintains a central position with a supporting role for Education and Health – working with Belinda and Andy.
Rachel Maxwell joined the team on a part time (0.8) post on the 5th November and is picking up support for NBS from Adel Gordon.
We currently have a vacancy for Rob Davis’ post as he left on the 21st December. The interviews for this post will be held on 8th February and the successful person will pick up support for Social Sciences. This work is currently being distributed between current central team members.
Learning Technology team picture
From left to right (Rob Howe, Belinda Green, Rachel Maxwell, Andy Stenhouse, Rob Farmer, Adel Gordon)
Al Holloway was not available for the photo.




If staff wish to contact the Learning Technology Team please use ext 2696 or via email atLTSupport@northampton.ac.uk.
 
This blog posting has relevance for all iNorthampton users (Apple, Android and Blackberry)
iNorthampton has been updated on Apple devices to ensure that it is compatible with the iPhone 5 and IOS 6. This update has made a fundamental change to the way in which NILE is accessed through the app.
icon for the University's iNorthampton app
Following the update, when you click onto the springboard link for Bb NILE you will be directed to a second app calledBlackboard Mobile Learn (if you do not already have this app then you will be prompted to download it). This is an updated version of the tool which was previously embedded in iNorthampton.
The benefits of using Blackboard Mobile Learn means that:
  • NILE will format correctly on iPads
  • There is an enhanced link to notifications and announcements on your device
  • Ability for mobile formatted tests where appropriate
This change (in linking to Bb Mobile Learn) will be subsequently rolled out to Android users later in the year.

Changes to the way in which Blackberry users are supported

From April 30th, 2013 iNorthampton will cease to be supported as a Blackberry application. For more details on the reason for this – please see the Mobile Central Update. The advice for Blackberry users is to add a shortcut to iNorthampton from the home screen of your BlackBerry (add shortcut to home screen feature for Blackberry OS 6+). This will allow you to access Maps, Courses, News, Events, Library, Directory, Timetables and Get Help. In order to access NILE you should download Blackboard Mobile Learn for Blackberry
How do I add a shortcut to iNorthampton on BlackBerry?
  1. Visit  m.northampton.ac.uk in your BlackBerry’s browser.
  2. From the BlackBerry Menu, select “Add to Homescreen”.
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Friday 18 January 2013

Journal: Call for papers



Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education (ELEHE): Call for papers!


ELEHE is an open-access international peer-reviewed online journal http://journals.northampton.ac.uk/index.php/elehe/index published twice yearly, enthusiastically addressing the challenge of enhancing learning in Higher Education. The journal seeks to explore innovations which impact on student learning, and to share effective practice across different contexts. It aims to enhance the student experience of learning by an engaged commitment to the student voice. Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education thus has a unique mission.

Papers are welcome which embrace the student voice to help improve the learner experience in ways which have been shown to impact positively on students. As well as learner experience in the teaching environment it also includes all aspects that improve the learner’s experience in Higher Education. 

The journal is interdisciplinary in scope. It welcomes a diverse range of articles, drawing on a variety of critical, comparative and reflective approaches responding to key agendas in Higher Education. Committed to evidence-informed practice, it will also encourage the setting of new agendas where the student experience can be enhanced. 

The journal welcomes:
  • research articles (3000-6000 words); 
  • critical case studies (3000-4000 words); 
  • short reports (up to 2000 words)
  • book reviews (up to 1000 words).


Details of the journal focus and scope, along with author guidelines can be found at http://journals.northampton.ac.uk/index.php/elehe/about



Deadline for submissions for the next edition is  1st  March 2013


If you want to discuss ideas about possible articles, or want guidance on preparing your submission, please contact the Editors
Dr Rachel Maunder (Chair of Editorial Team) Rachel.Maunder@northampton.ac.uk

Dr Simon Sneddon (Editor; and Book Reviews Editor) Simon.Sneddon@northampton.ac.uk

Anna Crouch (Editor) Anna.Crouch@northampton.ac.uk

Dr Scott Turner (Editor) Scott.Turner@northampton.ac.uk




Friday 4 January 2013

STRiPe publications


A selection of 2012 relevant publications involving staff involved with the STRiPe group











Journals
  • Maunder, R., Turner, S.Sneddon, S. and Crouch, A. (2012) Editorial. Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education. 4(1), pp. 1-2. 2041-3122. 
    • More details can be found here.
  • Kariyawasam K., A., Turner S., Hill G. (2012) "Is it Visual? The importance of a Problem Solving Module within a Computing course", Computer Education, Volume 10, Issue 166, May 2012, pp. 5-7, ISSN: 1672-5913. 
    • More details can be found here.
  • Hill G., Turner S. (2012) "Referencing within Code in Software Engineering Education!", Computer Education, Volume 10, Issue 166, May 2012, pp. 1-4, ISSN: 1672-5913.
    • More details can be found here.
Conference
  • Turner, S. and Al-Sherbaz, A. (2012) "What's the problem with problem-solving?" Seminar Presentation presented to: Insights into the future of learning and teaching at Northampton, University of Northampton, 3rd December 2012
    • More details can be found here.
  • Bailey D and Adams J (2012) "NORTHANTS ENGINEERING TRAINING PARTNERSHIP (NETP), A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE, INDUSTRY – UNIVERSITY ENGAGEMENT" International Conference on Engineering Education 2012 Turku Finland July 30 – August 3, 2012. 
    • More details can be found here.
  • Picton P (2012) "TEACHING ULTRASONICS USING SPREADSHEETS" International Conference on Engineering Education 2012 Turku Finland July 30 – August 3, 2012
    • More details can be found here.