Each month Dr Andrew Dean of the Marchmont Observatory summarises the research, reports and publications that are shaping the field of learning. September's round-up includes developing a dialogue on skills in the workplace, benefits of elearning, science skills and Facebook.
It’s time to talk training: how to develop a dialogue on skills at the workplace (guidance)
This publication is designed to inspire all parties to engage in effective two-way dialogue on training and skills. For some, this may involve starting the dialogue process from scratch. But for most, it is a matter of assessing how existing systems to engage the workforce can be improved and, perhaps, rejuvenated. They believe this effort is well worth making and produces tangible benefits to all concerned.
http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/TimeToTalkTraining.pdf
Exploring tangible benefits of e-learning: does investment yield interest?
A summary of the outcomes of projects funded through the elearning programme of the JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) Learning and Teaching Committee. It discusses what constitutes tangible benefits in e-learning and virtual learning environment projects. The report also assesses the state and value of the e-learning sector as a whole and identifies key issues relating to e-learning within different disciplines.
http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/publications/camel-tangible-benefits.pdf
A vision for science and society: a consultation on developing a new UK strategy
This consultation invites input to a strategy for Science and Society in the UK, around the vision of a society that is excited by science; values its importance to our social and economic wellbeing; feels confident in its use and supports a representative well-qualified scientific workforce.
http://www.dius.gov.uk/consultations/con_180708_sciencesociety.html
Facebook a valid educational tool, teachers told
Most schools and colleges in the UK block access to social networking websites but they are missing out on their potential for education, a government-funded guide says. The report for Childnet International and funded by Becta, the government body for technology in learning, says while teachers and lecturers may be using social networking services they may not recognise the educational potential for their students.
http://www.digizen.org/socialnetworking/
Creative futures: building the creative economy through universities
The report draws on data collected from the think-tank Million+ universities. This was supplemented with more general material from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Technology Strategy Board. It provides an overview of the creative economy in the UK and the contribution of universities to it.
http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/downloads/Creative_Futures_Final_Report_June_08.pdf
Tomorrow's wireless world: Ofcom's technology research programme 2007/08
This report provides an overview of the technology research programme at Ofcom during 2007/08. It presents key findings and outlines the conclusions and implications that Ofcom has drawn from this work. It is worth emphasising that all of the activities described here are research projects; by their very nature they are speculative and describe visions of the future telecommunications landscape, rather than current regulatory policy.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/technology/overview/randd0708/randd0708.pdf
Do you know of research that should appear here? Send your information, research and links to Dr Andrew Dean at a.dean@exeter.ac.uk
