NDLR Highlights for 2011!

As the end of 2011 fast approaches (and the annual reporting requirements draw to a close) it gives us time to reflect on the wonderful work and activity of the NDLR community. We thank you all for your interest, enthusiasm and community spirit and we look forward to further developing and improving the service under a National Academy.

Some of the comments shared with us through our user survey shows how the NDLR, through you its users, are contributing in a positive way to Teaching and Learning in Ireland.

Through the NDLR "I have made contact with and engaged with academics across different disciplinary areas outside of my own area of expertise through our mutual interest in the development and sharing of digital imaging resources and expertise. I have found this engagement with colleagues from different backgrounds to be extremely stimulating, interesting and rewarding".

The NDLR has "Facilitated the cultural growth towards open resources cause now staff can be part of that movement by contributing resources and thinking outside of their own classroom spaces"

"It (the NDLR) has challenged me to review and assess the ways that I teach and the resources that I use".

"I have found the whole NDLR experience over the last year to be new, invigorating, technologically eye-opening and uniformly positive. Best of luck to the NDLR for the future. I look forward to staying involved and staying informed".

Activities at a glance....
• 216,267 Downloads since April 2009
• 26,392 Learning Resources
• 30 Communities or Practice
• 154 Collections
• 923 Active Contributors to Repository
• 930 Active Users of Community Portal
• 33 national collaborative projects developed
• Over 186 local innovative projects developed
• 325 educational videos on NDLR Vimeo channel
• 175 collaborative training events

The NDLR team attended an outstanding CAD exhibition of computer models of various military transport vehicles, which were developed by final year undergraduate and postgraduate students of Mechanical, Aeronautical, Biomedical Engineering and Computer Aided Engineering & Design. Projects were supervised by Dr. Philip Griffin, Course Director B.E. Mechanical Engineering, UL.

UL Postgraduate students - Team Austin Tilly L-R - Michael Moor, James Mannion, Michael Cox and Ian Roe.

Click here to view Team Austin Tilly's interactive video

CTL NDLR coffee, tea and festive treats were a were a hige hit during a 'Resource-Full' coffee morning at the University of Limerick. Local and National NDLR projects were showcased along with some potential ideas for collaboration and projects for 2011/2012!

December presentations for the NDLR/IT Sligo Teaching and Learning Webinar Series

Effective elearning Design – Catherine Kane, TCD 12/2/11 1PM - 2PM
An introduction to elearning covering principles of instructional design - Topics: Web Based e-Learning, Problems with e-Learning, Planning e-Learning, What is Instructional Design, Delivery methods and approaches and Evaluation.

Catherine is a senior instructional designer at Trinity College Dublin where she delivers workshops on all aspects of eLearning

Copyright and NDLR – David Jennings, UCD 12/9/11 1PM - 2PM
This webinar provides an introduction to copyright in the area of e-learning and how one may assert their own rights. It will highlight a series of steps one may take to assure teaching materials are appropriately cleared (in respect of copyright) before use. It will conclude by presenting the creative commons licence suite and how these may be used to support an individual's rights.

David Jennings is a lecturer in UCD Teaching and Learning. He is the local NDLR co-ordinator, and has worked on the project from its inception, in particular on the licencing programme.

Gizmos and Gadgets – Muireann O'Keeffe, DIT – 16 Dec 12/16/11 1PM - 2PM
This webinar provides an introduction to the variety of tools available to help create richer online content and to enhance students learning experiences. This seminar will introduce various tools that can engage students and assist with group work, feedback, communication, collaboration, reflective practice and assessment.

Muireann O'Keeffe is a Learning Development Officer at the Learning, Teaching & Technology Centre, DIT. She coordinates and teaches on the MSc in Applied eLearning and is interested in tools for engaging students and is researching ePortfolios for nurturing creativity.
You can find further details and register here: http://www.eventbrite.com/org/686682363?s=6086522

Christmas has come early! Take a look through the e-learning Guilds free online book providing a valuable collection of 162 tips and tricks for working with e-learning tools. The eLearning Guild asked members for their favorite tips for using software for the creation of e-Learning. Members could submit tips in any or all of the following five categories:
• Courseware authoring and e-Learning development tools
• Rapid e-Learning tools
• Simulation tools
• Media tools
• Combining and deploying authoring tools

Helpful e-learning Tips
Useful guidelines for developing your online learning adventures prepared by Lee Ann Obringer.

7 tips for better elearning scenarios
A great way to create a pull-type course is build it around problem-solving scenarios according to Tom Kuhlmann.

Elearning in Ireland – Calling all Irish learning professionals
This blog offers an opportunity for those interested in elearning to discuss Learning & Development Technology-related topics specific to practitioners based in Ireland.

Analysing survey data using excel

Designing Questionnaires
Interactive learning resource introducing aspects of questionnaire design. Created using Articulate Studio.

Production Line Design & Control for Business Students
A 15 minute video tutorial on Production Line Design and Control illustrating methods of testing an efficient system for designing model cars and from a set of components.

If you have found a resource in the NDLR you really like then let us know!

160 Ph.D. Grants to Be Awarded for Academic Year 2012-13

The EUI offers one of the world's largest and most distinguished graduate programmes in Social Sciences. 160 Grants will be awarded by the European University Institute in the fields of: Economics, History & Civilization, Law and Political & Social Sciences.

The deadline for application is 31 January 2012.

The European University Institute (EUI) currently hosts about 550 doctoral students from over 50 countries and selected among the finest universities in Europe and beyond.
The EUI's efficient mix of coursework, seminars and regular student supervision enables 80% of candidates to complete their degrees – most in less than four years. Depending on the discipline, between 50% and 80% of graduates find positions in academia. Others find excellent opportunities in European institutions and International organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund as well as in both public and private sectors in many countries.

For more information go to www.eui.eu

National Events

'Resource-Full' Coffee morning Tuesday 6th December NUIG 10.30 – 12.30pm. For more information contact grainne.mcgrath@nuigalway.ie

- Find out more about Open Educational Resources for Higher Education
- Browse through digital resources relevant to your teaching
- See how other academics are using digital resources in their teaching practice
- Learn about collaborative projects and communities of practice

International Events

Ascilite 2011 4 – 7 Dec 2011
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
The theme of ascilite 2011 is Changing demands, changing directions. ascilite 2011 has three sub-themes: equity of experience; engagement and evidence-based practice.

2nd annual international conference on Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology CSEIT 2011 5 – 6 Dec 2011 - Singapore, Singapore
The conference is designed to spark discussion among creative educators, researchers, consultants, training managers, policy makers, curriculum developers, entrepreneurs, and others in Computer Science Education. Many individuals are transforming learning environments in local as well as more global ways. This conference offers an opportunity to meet and discuss their ideas, findings, and next steps.

Cambridge 2012: Innovation and Impact - Openly Collaborating to Enhance Education
April 16-18 2012,Cambridge, UK.

Call for papers now open!
Cambridge 2012 will combine OER12 and the OCW Consortium's Global Conference. We will meet at the historic Queens College in Cambridge, UK, from 16-18 April 2012. The conference theme, Innovation and Impact: Openly collaborating to enhance education, will bring together academics, professionals, students and policy makers interested in advancing the impact of OpenCourseWare and Open Educational Resources on education globally.

Learning without Frontiers LWF12 – the future of learning
January 25th and 26th London
Headline speakers include Marjorie Scardino, Ray Kurzweil, Jaron Lanier, Ellen MacArthur, Jesse Schell, Conrad Wolfram, Mitch Resnick, Geoff Mulgan, Jacob Kragh, Francis Gilbertv. The LWF 12 Festival is an important two day event running alongside the agenda-setting LWF 12 Conference providing access to a unique environment presented in association with our industry supporters and event programming partners.