Welcome to the May update for the LDC Blog.
We use the blog to announce events and development opportunities that we run; to inform staff of initiatives, projects and changes, and to celebrate the successes of staff from across City University London. Bookmark this page and keep a look out for updates in the first week of each month.
In the blog this month:
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LDC Kindle competition on learning spaces closing TODAY 1st May
Final Call!
The Learning Development Centre is running a competition for a member of staff to win a Kindle e-reader when you tell us about your experience of teaching in one of the University’s new teaching spaces (A109, A216, A112, and D222).
The entry criteria are quite flexible: you can tweet us, take pictures, write-up your experience – we mainly want to hear about your thoughts and impressions of working in the space. Send tweets to @CityLDC, or images and documents to ldc@city.ac.uk
The competition does end TODAY 1 May so do submit your entry without delay!
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Researchers’ Development Day – Friday 4th May 2012
There is still time to sign up for our forthcoming Researchers’ Development Day which is being held on Friday 4th May 2012.
This one day conference aims to help researchers gain new skills and gives them the opportunity to network with staff from across the University. Sessions will cover a variety of topics aimed to help with the process of developing and disseminating research.
Topics include: writing a successful research funding bid; the research-teaching relationship; commercialising university research. There are also sessions with a practical focus looking at: questionnaire design; experimental design and interviewing skills.
The event will also include a plenary session from Professor Jo Wood, winner of the Spotlight on Research prize, as well as a panel discussion which will consider the motion: “In an academically excellent university, how does research inform teaching?”
To register for this free event please visit our website and complete the online booking form: http://www.city.ac.uk/about/education/ldc/events/researchers-development-days
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4th Annual Learning at City Conference – Wednesday 13th June 2012
Are you aiming for Gold in Assessment & Feedback?
All staff and students are invited to attend the 4th Annual Learning at City Conference which focuses on improving student learning through enhanced assessment & feedback.
The one day event will include:
- A keynote by world renowned educationalist Professor Graham Gibbs
- Paper presentations by fellow City University staff
- A session led by the Students’ Union
- A panel discussion by leading academics
- Awarding of our Learning and Teaching Prizes with Professor Paul Curran
Wednesday 13th June 2012 9:15am – 6.30pm Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre
PLEASE KEEP THIS IN YOUR DIARY AS REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON.
Contact for enquiries: ldc@city.ac.uk
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LDC to Present at ECER Conference
LDC Senior Lecturer Patrick Baughan will be presenting at the forthcoming ECER Conference (European Conference of Educational Research) on a research project that he recently completed.
The project is about module specification documents, which represent a key part of the learning outcomes approach and seek to document knowledge that a learner will gain by completing a module of study. However, drawing on two ‘knowledge representation frameworks’ and with an empirical element comprising nine narrative interviews, Patrick argues that differences exist in knowledge expected (as documented in specification documents) and knowledge that learners actually gain and enact (from the narratives provided by learners). Learners gain more, less and different ‘knowledges’ than that proposed in such specification documents.
As a result, whilst such specifications serve some important functions, it is concluded that there are a number of ways by which they could be changed and improved.
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Quick & Shiny – making movies in a moment (or an afternoon)!
iMovie @ the MILL – Friday 18th May 2012 – 1.30pm-4pm The aim is to promote video making for educators, students and researchers.The session will take you through the process beginning to end: film using ipads and video cameras, edit with simple software for Mac and PC, then upload to Vimeo and embed in Moodle. Suitable for beginners, the session and will enable staff to use the video kit independently or in the Media and Innovation Learning Lab (MILL). http://www.city.ac.uk/about/education/ldc/sle/mill _
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Student Voice Award nominations close 8th May
The 2011-12 Student Voice Awards are currently open for nominations, but there is not long left. The nominations process closes on the 8th MAY.
Please promote this within your classes and encourage your students to make nominations.
After all, they might be nominating you!
If you or your students need more information, please visit the Students’ Union website, or e-mail vpeducation@city.ac.uk
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Dates for your Diary
TV Studio Induction – Tuesday 1st May 2012
Researcher’s Development Day – Friday 4th May 2012
iMovie at the MILL – Friday 18th May 2012
4th Learning at City Conference – Wednesday 13th June 2012
Researchers’ Symposium – Tuesday 26th June 2012