Learning Forum London, 22-24 June 2009
This year’s event main theme is “Innovation, Creativity and Accountability.” It will be addressed over three days and three conferences:
* ePortfolio 2009 (7th international conference)
* Key Competencies—Skills for Life 2009 (3rd international conference)
* Learning Networks and Communities (4th international conference—previously Learning Regions & Cities)
Conference Themes & Issues
How do we promote innovation and creativity? Why is accountability so often perceived as antonymic to innovation and is there a way to account for innovation and creativity? Does accountability necessarily lead to standardised tests, rigid procedures and impoverished practice? What new approaches to the recognition and celebration of achievement are being developed and implemented? Can technology provide a seamless environment between creative and innovative practice and accountability—for example ‘creative’ individual ePortfolios and ‘accountable’ organisational ePortfolios designed for quality assurance? How are learning networks and communities encouraging new approaches to the way we learn, work and live?
More at: http://www.epforum.eu/
1 response so far ↓
1
Ray Tolley
// Jun 8, 2009 at 11:59 am
A lot of important questions are raised here and we look forward to some definitive answers – where possible. For instance, I am challenged by the phrase, ” ‘accountable’ organisational ePortfolios designed for quality assurance.”
For instance:
1: to whom is the e-Portfolio user ‘accountable’? Is this to do with social responsibility? Is this to do with submission of coursework? Is it assumed that the e-Portfolio is some form of teaching and learning conduit? or is it related to a strict code or ethos of the institution?
2: ‘Organisational’ – does this mean owned by the institution? Does it mean structured in a rigid prescribed format? Does it refer to the submission of artefacts as required by examining bodies?
3: – and perhaps this is the vaguest term, ‘Quality assurance’ – Does this refer to the appearance and organisation of the representation of one’s personal image? Does it refer to the truth of statements made by an applicant or his/her mentors/referees? Does it refer to systematic documentation as any follower of TQM would expect? Does it refer to the relevance of the presentation of graphical impact, language and artefacts appropriate to the various selected audiences? or, does it refer to the integrity or credibility of the provision of links to certification bodies?
As I have said elsewhere, (and some might be tired of me saying it) we need clear and careful definitions of our terms. For me, I see the e-Portfolio as a learner-owned and life-long tool free of any embedded institutional ‘hard-wired’ links. The first requirements of an e-Portfolio are that it should be personally owned and portable.
I expand upon these ideas in my blog at:
http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com
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