Description

Proceedings of the Designs on eLearning conference of 2011.

Excerpts

Introduction

Stefan Sonvilla-Weiss:

"The notion of space regains fresh momentum every time anew we interact with the world around us. As mobile devices weave into the fabric of everyday life, one is no longer confined to a specific location, time and place in accessing and interacting with communication technologies. Thereby the interfaces become more adaptable and fluid according to the user’s needs for switching seamlessly between augmented, real and virtual information and communication techniques and practices. In educational contexts, however, we are still entangled in the three-dimensional space of Eucledian geometry with which we commonly associate the institutional place of action, yet overlooking at the same the temporal dimension in it. Fragmentation, acceleration, accumulation, synchronicity, ubiquity of information storable and retrievable at different locations at the same time finds its equivalent in mobile and flexible living-, learning- and working arrangements. The conference topics of investigation delves into these temporal intertwined modes of action between individuals, groups and institutions so as to uncover hitherto unexplored and unarticulated concepts and experiences which would help us to co-develop the creative spaces of the future.

The scope of investigation and participation is conceived as an interdisciplinary dialogue and discussion among students, academics, researchers, decision and policy makers, entrepreneurs and practitioners from various fields. Specific emphasis is laid on cross-disciplinary dialogue between architects, designers, media artists, educators and entrepreneurs who are passionate about challenging novel media and means of interaction.

The main conference topics deal with the technological, social, cultural and aesthetic dimensions of creative learning spaces and will be discussed in four panels with the following themes:

1. Open experimental space

2. Institutional space

3. Social learning space

4. Networked space

How strongly do social software tools impact on current practices in e-learning in general, and second, what are the implications for the student’s mode of interaction (social factor), aesthetics (interface culture) and techniques (interoperability)? Some of my findings derive from actual research on learning ecology and multiple reality constructions, which reciprocally both affect and are affected by multiple facets in socioeconomic and culturally encoded concepts of living.

One of these aspects relates to competitiveness in a global job market, which is in fact the driving force behind the concept of lifelong learning and the prevailing motivation of our students to continuously qualify. Interestingly, yet not surprisingly, connectivity has expanded into fluid forms of networking on the basis of immaterial value exchange. Shared spaces where people can communicate, exchange and aggregate information, coauthor and co-create areas of common interest, need flexible and adjustable arrangements. Some of the key problems include the limitations of interactions with structured tools; another confinement relates to interface design, communication and learning tools. As an alternative to conventional tools we want to explore how modular tools can expand functionality; to what extent social tools encourage individual expression and connect learners and content; how synchronous tools can be integrated; and how learnercentered tools encourage learning ecology. The types of tools suggested include Blogs, Wikis, Virtual Worlds, social tools, networking tools, collaborative spaces, and connection- making protocols. But how do these alternatives provide the learner with control of the type of content explored, and how do they explore to effectively meet their learning goals?

In the Open experimental space discussion we want to look at the lessons that can be learned from the creative use of architectural space, and the modes of interaction that can arise within it. We will reflect upon innovative & interactive collaborative learning techniques.

How do social media, augmented spaces and networking tools constitute new forms of blended learning? In the Social learning space panel we will explore connectivism & strategies for learning in mobile spaces.

Can we expect to see smooth technology working in sustainable ways?

In the Networked space discussion we want to discover how is learning affected by the metaverse, ubiquitous computing & the reconceptualisation of cities as dynamic learning spaces?

How does institutional space extend into informal networked space and what would be the role of the university if many of its current services were disaggregated to specialist providers on the web?

At the core of the Institutional spaces discussion is the question what would happen if we share resources across the institutional boundaries and to work together in a spirit of collaborative research and teaching?

Digital network culture has not only been changing the modes of media production and distribution: it coevally conveys emerging models of cooperation, communication and interaction by accumulating various ideas, talents and capabilities. Hence, the tasks of tomorrow’s artists is that of an intermediary, a catalyst between diverse fields of knowledge, ways of thinking, social models and solution strategies. The protagonists of this development, hackers, software artists, media and knowledge designers who are irrespectively showing strong commitment in the face of considerable risk, are opening up new territories in which their role and their scope of action have not yet been fully explored. This alludes to critical inquiry, research and development in socio-political and scientific contexts."

Future Learning Spaces

Contents

Description

Contents

Part One: Keynote speakers

Part Two: Institutional Spaces

Part Three: Networked Spaces

Part Four: Experimental Spaces

Part Five: Social Spaces

Part Six: Interactive Performance Spaces

Excerpts

Introduction

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