Online Learning News - June 28, 2023

Free Contact North | Contact Nord Webinar

The Generative AI Mirror: The Five Pathologies of Edtech Discourse About New Technologies

Wednesday, September 6, 2023
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register now!

Generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT introduce radically new possibilities for higher education. But like previous innovations, including MOOCs, the reaction to and discussion around the innovations can reflect more about higher education and our shared culture than about the likely implications.

In this session, educational technology consultant and industry analyst Phil Hill and edtech analyst Glenda Morgan of Phil Hill & Associates explore five pathologies of higher education discourse around generative AI, as well as the lasting changes you can expect.

Free Contact North | Contact Nord Webinar

Rethinking Digital Literacy:
Toward a Holistic Digital Competency
Framework for Teachers

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)

Register now!

In this webinar, Dr. Garry Falloon, Research Professor in Education at the Federation University of Australia, introduces an expanded Teacher Digital Competency (TDC) framework, which embeds the technical skills of earlier literacies’ approaches within a wider and more holistic landscape. 

Artificial Intelligence and the Assessment of Learning

One focus for artificial intelligence (AI) in education is the assessment of students. Significant investments have been made in AI assessment tools and development, with US$166 million invested in 2022 alone — and assessment is the focus for more than 15% of edtech companies. Contact North | Contact Nord summarizes current developments in:

1. Assessment at scale
2. Automated item generation
3. AI and peer-to-peer assessment
4. AI and project-based learning and assessment
5. Supporting inclusion
6. Checking for cheating

 Read the full story

Dr. Tony Bates’ Latest Blog:
Online Learning and Distance Education

In this blog post, Contact North | Contact Nord Research Associate Dr. Tony Bates reflects on Part IV of the Handbook of Open Distance and Digital Education (ODDE), suggesting that the chapters would have been more valuable as a separate book. Bates highlights missing elements such as the complexity of leadership, the transient nature of leadership in universities, the balance between short-term and long-term planning, the difficulty of generalization, the impact of competition from conventional universities, and the need for more research. Despite these critiques, he recommends that people interested in ODDE read this section.

Read Dr. Bates’ post: 

Overall reflection on Part IV of the Handbook of ODDE

Podcasts and Vodcasts on Online Learning

Gettin’ Air
The Open Pedagogy Podcast

Embark on an engaging journey with host Terry Greene, Senior eLearning Designer at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, and his guests as they discuss technology-enabled and open learning practices in higher education. With 160 episodes, each about 30 minutes, this podcast covers a diverse range of topics, including online pedagogy, open educational resources, instructional design, emerging technologies and more. Whether you're an educator, an instructional designer or simply passionate about innovative learning approaches, this podcast offers valuable insights and thought-provoking discussions to enhance your understanding of technology-enabled and open learning in post-secondary education.

Choose your episode

This Week’s Must-Read Book
on Online Learning

Exploring What is Lost in the Online Undergraduate Experience: A Philosophical Inquiry into the Meaning of Remote Learning

By Steve Stakland (2023)

Amidst the pandemic, widespread exposure to online learning has led many to consider themselves experts. However, those who have been involved in distance education since the 1940s see this as dismissive. This book, inspired by Heidegger's essay on technology, explores issues of facelessness, inauthenticity and response-ability in remote teaching. Well-written and thought-provoking, it offers valuable insights for those seeking a deeper understanding of the potential and limitations of online learning.

Browse all Must-Read Books

Updated!

Searchable Directory of 2,300+ Upcoming Educational Technology and Education Professional Development Opportunities from Around the World

Search the 49th version of upcoming professional development opportunities and educational technology conferences that contains a mix of online, in-person, and hybrid events that focus on the use of technology in educational settings and on teaching, learning, and educational administration. Our directory is compiled by Contact North | Contact Nord Research Associate Clayton R. Wright.

Use the directory's unique search features to filter by date, conference name, topic or country.

Search the directory

Upcoming Events in Online Learning 

EdCog 2023

McMaster Conference on Education 
and Cognition

July 13 & 14, 2023 

Onsite and Virtual Options

The McMaster Conference on Education and Cognition is now open for registration. Participants can join online or in person at McMaster University. Contact North | Contact Nord Online Learning News readers can use the discount code CONTACTNORTH to receive 25% off for online attendance.

Cognitive scientists have been systemically studying processes such as attention, memory and learning for more than 150 years. Their rich knowledge has been only recently applied to developing evidence-based interventions in education.

The speakers at this conference will explore how cognitive principles can inform instructional design and critical issues in education to bridge the gap between the lab and classroom. Join them on July 13 and 14 for an enlightening educational experience on the current state of teaching and learning.

For more information and to register

About Contact North | Contact Nord

Contact North | Contact Nord increases the number of underserved Ontario residents who take online programs and courses from Ontario’s colleges, universities, Indigenous institutes, and other providers while remaining in their community.

We recruit and provide free support services to students in 1,500+ rural and remote communities, in person at 78 locations across the province, or by phone, email, live chat or virtually. Our services are available in English and French. We help increase access and success for underrepresented learner groups, including:

• Francophone learners
• Indigenous learners
• Unemployed learners
• Learners accessing Ontario Works
• Learners with disabilities

Visit contactnorth.ca for more information

Most Popular Resources on teachonline.ca

1. Artificial Intelligence and the Assessment of Learning
2. Ten Guiding Principles for the Use of Technology in Learning
3. Searchable Directory of 2,300+ Upcoming Educational Technology and Education Professional Development Opportunities from Around the World
4. A New Pedagogy is Emerging... and Online Learning is a Key Contributing Factor 
5. Five Steps to Leverage ChatGPT in Your Teaching