Your Name and Title:
Teresa MacKinnon, Principal Teaching Fellow
School or Organization Name:
Language Centre, School of Languages and Cultures, University of Warwick
Co-Presenter Name(s):
Teresa MacKinnon
Area of the World from Which You Will Present:
UK
Language in Which You Will Present:
English
Target Audience(s):
All educators interested in openness and collaboration, context is language education
Short Session Description (one line):
Breaking down barriers to learning.
Full Session Description (as long as you would like):
“In the new culture of learning, people learn through their interaction and participation with one another in fluid relationships that are the result of shared interests and opportunity.” (Thomas and Seeley Brown, 2011).
This session will present our experiences in crossing institutional and international borders in order to:
- provide authentic learning experiences to staff and students,
- contribute Open Educational Resources for language learning and computer-mediated communication to a wider audience
- promote Open Educational practices.
It will include news of virtual exchanges, European and Australian collaboration, research outputs and shared spaces and powerful informal learning.
Since implementing a virtual learning environment we have embarked on a journey of discovery which has not been without challenge. The story of our “holey” walled environment was told in the Classroom 2.0 e-book but much has happened since then and there is much analysis to share. The presentation will address the many barriers to collaboration and openness as well as the many positive experiences that have arisen from a determination to connect, collaborate and practice openly.
Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:
http://www.jiscdigitalmedia.ac.uk/casestudy/language-centre-university-of-warwick
http://www.slideshare.net/teresamac/voyages-to-new-horizons
http://www.slideshare.net/teresamac/eurocall-2014
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