| 2005 |
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YEAR BOOK |
Waterford Institute of Technology
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Department of Physical and Quantitative Sciences
WeLearnT, WIT eLearning Technologies Research Centre |
The research group began its work in 1996 and has continued to expand and develop its expertise in Computer Mediated Learning research. The Centre for eLearning Technologies Research, WeLearnT, was formally recognised as a WIT Research Centre in 2003. The group's main focus is research and consultancy in the area of eLearning technologies, including an interdisciplinary approach, an emphasis on transnational collaboration and a critical analysis of the learning potential in Information and Communication Technologies. Members of the group come from a variety of backgrounds, including Computer Science, Education, Educational Psychology and Social Science. There are currently six postgraduate members engaged in master's level research.
Research themes undertaken by group members to date include:
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Computer Based Learning and Primary Education: a research programme that developed a new content description language, a Science Learning Material Markup Language, SLMML, based on XML, for the support and implementation of online learning for the Science Curriculum at Primary School level.
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Development and Evaluation of a Computer-Based Learning Tool for adults with Learning Disabilities in Mathematics: a research programme that used MathML to develop reusable learning objects, in a web enabled learning environment, for a suite of lessons in Mathematics, for adult learners returning to third level education.
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The Applicability of Computers and Multimedia to Literacy Best Practice: a research programme carried out in collaboration with NALA, the National Adult Literacy Agency, resulting in a computer-based literacy support tool for adults.
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Use of Open & Distance Learning (ODL) and Information Technology in Pre-School Teacher Training: a two year programme of research, EU funded under the Socrates ODL programme, involving a transnational group of technologists and educators in the use and evaluation of emerging technologies in online learning
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The use of ICT/ODL in Promoting Social Inclusion, a collaborative project in online lesson development, use and evaluation: a two year programme, EU funded under the Socrates Minerva programme, which deepened the group's expertise in online lesson development, use and evaluation. The project incorporated a study of collaborative learning among student groups in six European institutions. A set of online modules was developed by members of the partnership. Students and tutors from the then National Diploma in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, Department of Applied Arts in the WIT School of Humanities, collaborated online with Finnish students and tutors on a Pre-school Teacher Training degree in the University of Jyv�skyl�. Members of the Department of Physical and Quantitative Sciences, WIT, provided guidance and technical support for this collaboration.
At a recent colloquium held in WIT, (see photograph above) members of the group played host to one of our Latvian partners, Mr Bruno Zuga, manager of the Distance Education Study Centre, Riga Technical University. Mr. Zuga gave an inspiring talk on current trends in eLearning in Europe and met with WIT staff engaged in eLearning. WeLearnT postgraduate members presented their research. Members of the WIT eLearning Support Team also met with Mr Zuga, for a fruitful exchange of views and experiences on the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) in third level colleges.
WeLearnT members are engaged in a number of collaborative partnerships including:
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St Joseph's School for the visually impaired, Dublin.
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Centres for the learning disabled in Waterford.
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Schools and units for young learners with autism in Cork and Waterford.
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University of Jyv�skyl�, Department of Early Childhood Education, Jyv�skyl�, Finland.
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Iceland University of Education, Reykjavik, Iceland.
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University of Dundee, Faculty of Education and Social Work, Dundee, Scotland.
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Riga Technical University, Distance Education Study Centre, Riga, Latvia.
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University College Stavanger, Norway, Department of Education.
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Varna Free University, (VFU), Varna, Bulgaria.
Contact details: Catherine Fitzpatrick and Mary Power,
Administrators: [email protected] and [email protected]
A report on the 'e-ducation without Borders' conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
In February of this year, research student Michelle Landy, of the WeLearnT group, had the opportunity to attend the 'e-ducation without Borders' conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This is a bi-ennial international student conference which attracts over 500 students from 70 different countries to discuss eLearning. Speakers at the conference included Gilly Salmon, Professor of E-learning and Learning Technologies, University of Leicester, UK, Murray Gell-Mann, Winner of the 1969 Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the theory of elementary particles, and one of the most eminent physicists in the world today, and Sean C. Rush, General Manager, IBM. A research paper entitled 'Technological Innovations to Improve the Effectiveness of eLearning for Visually Impaired Students' was accepted for the conference.
The conference took place over three days and was organised by the students of the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi and hosted in the Emirates Palace Hotel. The conference provided a unique opportunity to meet like-minded students from all over the world and to experience first-hand the welcoming nature of the Emirati people. Delegates took part in debates and discussions on issues relating to eLearning and its application. Expert panels and technical demonstrations were given in the area of eLearning and educational technology. Conference delegates were also offered the opportunity to take part in cultural events which provided a sense of the traditions of the Emirati people. The conference offered a truly unique educational and intercultural opportunity. "I thoroughly enjoyed meeting students working in similar research areas and exchanging information and ideas with them. Overall the conference was a thoroughly enjoyable event and I would highly recommend it to other students and researchers," commented Michelle Landy.
Contact: Mary Power; E-mail: [email protected] ;
Michelle Landy; E-mail: [email protected]