Tony Hirst,
Department of Communication and Systems, The Open University
Abstract:
For the past year, the Open University has been exploring the potential of an
open 'social learning platform' that will integrate the power of a social network
and third party tools and applications within a pedagogically sound architectural
framework. The project - code named "socialearn" - has been developing along several
parallel strands: the user experience within a potential 'social learning' Web site;
the development of a set of core platoform services with open API that is congruent
with other standard and de facto standard web service APIs; and a business model that
allows individuals and instituions alike to use the platform to futher their own
business goals, whilst securing a sustainable financial basis for the platform itself.
In this workshop, we will review the progress of the socialearn project, and
demonstrate the features of the platform that have been built to date. As the socialearn
platform is intended to be an open platform, we will also run through a series of exercises
exploring ways in which the socialearn aproach may be used to support institutional services
in both the formal and informal educational sectors.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session attendees should have
learnt:
about the socialearn aproach
Room Requirements:
PC and data projector provided as standard.
Venue:
Taylor A21
Time:
Tuesday 22nd July 2008 from 15:30-17:00
Contact Details
Tony Hirst Department of Communication and Systems
The Open University
Email: a.j.hirst@open.ac.uk
