This week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

John Phelps: John is an ICT facilitator, based in Napier, with a number of ICTPD Clusters including I-Connect and Digital Daze 2.0. This week he has blogged about student self-publishing, Taylar’s first ebook.

Group of the Week

QR Codes in Education:

A new space to share ideas for utilising QR Codes in Education.

A sneak peek: eLearning in VLN Groups

Leadership

• How important is it for principals to be active leaders of e-learning? And what might this involve?

• ..and take the poll: Leadership poll "Can a principal be a leader of e-learning without leading this themselves?"

• What does your ICT Strategic plan look like?: Karen Porritt shares theirs from St Andrews.

• Principals as leaders of e-learning: Mary Ann Baxter, Principal of HGHS shares her story of being a leader and learner of e-learning (ICT PD blog).

• Planning for BYOD: Barbara Reid blogs about how schools are getting started. All feedback welcome.

Professional Learning

• Inquiry learning: getting kids out of the box: View/listen to again to this session by Jill Hammonds for VPLD.

• Peer Observations of ICT: A focus on increasing teacher development and learning by sharing effective practice through peer observations of ICT in the classroom at Reignier Catholic Schools (Crystal Hewett via blog).

Professional Learning Events

Educating children of the information age: Cafe Scientifique: Discussing the idea of tailoring educational environments to enhance and foster the development of lifelong learning skills and competencies (11 Oct 2011)

• ULearn Conference:18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: (26-27 January 2012)

• The Virtual Professional Learning Development programme: The VPLD team is very keen to hear from NZ teachers, Principals, APs and DPs, who are interested in participating in the next VPLD intake (programme beginning in February 2012).

Teaching and Learning  |  Digital Citizenship 

• Tātaiako | Cultural competencies for teachers of Māori learners: This is a new resource explaining competencies teachers need to develop so they can help Māori learners achieve educationally as Māori. 

• Blogs, wikis, networked schools...Check out 'Computers in NZ Schools': Some great articles in the current edition of the Computers in New Zealand Schools: Learning, Teaching, Technology, 23 (2).

• Thinking about innovative and exciting learning: reflection on ICT PD from John Phelps: “In our cluster we are seriously looking at ways to make our teaching more exciting and innovative….” 

• ePortfolios: More useful material from Software for Learning.

• TeKids: Erica blogs about the pressures and the joys of supporting student e-leaders at KHS.

Technology

• iPad Sharing #3 Apps To Support Literacy (from Allanah's original Edublog post).

• YouTube | Teachers' channel: A new channel dedicated to videos for teaching and learning. The Free Technology for Teachers site has also shared some suggestions on the best way to use the YouTube Teacher channel to support learning.

• Web Tools for Engagement: Ideas shared by Angela Hammond.

• ICT for Teaching and ICT for Learning: They are not the same: Gerald Macmanus shares Robert Douglas' article from the CiNZS journal.

• A Book Creator App | Langwitches: An ePub Book creator you make on the iPad.

• Tablets in the Classroom: Some pros and cons, bookmarked by Barbara Reid.

Beyond the Classroom

• Shake up your story: Artist Raghava KK demos his new children's book for iPad with an unusual feature: when you shake it, the story -- and your perspective -- changes.  Watch it, then imagine how we could tell the stories of diverse learners, their perspectives, the perspectives of their parents and whānau, and their communities.

VLN Tip: Don’t start a group, start a thread

There are 311 groups on the VLN!! And most of them are pretty quiet…..Facilitating and managing a group can be a rewarding, collegial experience. It can also be very time-consuming to set one up, and get sufficient engagement so you can work together. If you have a burning passion, feel free to share it in an existing group that is on a similar theme. For example, got a question on using technology to support literacy? Post it in the e-Learning: Teaching group.

e-Learning on the Wire…

The Wire is the micro-blogging stream in the VLN. Posts appear in the activity stream…Here’s what we heard:

• Gerard Macmanus: “Is there anyone else who has a document to explain to their community around e-learning and BYOD, similar to EGGS and Rangitoto's ones?”

• Sandy Newman: "Trying to link the Horizon Report with a New Zealand context and understand the relationship in learning in NZ.

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

Some great articles in the current edition of the Computers in New Zealand Schools: Learning, Teaching, Technology, 23 (2).

• Digital Diversity and Education: Some Philosophical Problems: John Clark - Massey University

• ICT for Teaching and ICT for Learning: They are not the same: Robert Douglas - Howick College

• Students’ experiences of flexible learning options: What can they tell us about what they need for success?: Keryn Pratt and Ann Trewern - University of Otago College of Education

• A teacher's experience using blogs: Gillian May - Lawrence Area School

• eLearning: Enriching learning in the classroom: Claire Buist - St Clair School, Dunedin

• To wiki or not to wiki?: Andrew Sutton - Student University of Otago, College of Education

• Where the Wiki things are: A student teacher's experience of ICT on posting: Bridget O'Leary - Student, University of Otago, College of Education

• New forms of networked schooling are evolving – fast! Visionary leadership please: Niki Davis - Canterbury University

This week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

Barbara Reid: Based in Hamilton, Barbara has a passion for all things e-learning and has contributed to many discussions and activities here on the VLN, as well as supporting the King Country Cluster.

Group of the Week

BYOD=Bring Your Own Device: A new group for schools to discuss processes and strategies for allowing students to bring different devices to school.

A sneak peek: eLearning in VLN Groups

Leadership

• EdTalks video: Creative Commons in Schools: Bookmarked by Toni Twiss, this video of Helen Baxter, Mohawk Media (Educational Leaders’ Forum 2011) explores the importance of schools understanding Creative Commons and how to provide safe, legal ways of using digital media in the classroom. 

• Do principals really need a personal learning network? What's the point? New discussion in e-Learning: Leadership

• Developing home-use agreements: Allanah asks for feedback on her draft approach.

Professional Learning

• Snapshot of learning for Thinking Space: Using Mindmaps as a presentation tool.

•  ICT PD Online Blog: Two clusters have recently shared their story about professional learning communities.

• Cyber safety and digital footprint: A discussion started by Mary (Children as e-Learners group) for people to share how their schools are tacking cyber safety and digital citizenship.

Professional Learning Events

• Hamilton Leaders event (23rd September), 2pm at Southwell School with DK (Social media Manager for CORE Education) looking at social media (Facebook, Twitter, social networking) in schools. All welcome.

• ULearn Conference:18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: (26-27 January 2012) 

Teaching and Learning  |  Digital Citizenship

• Students leading e-learning: Read about how The TeKids at St James’ have continued to share their leadership and e-learning knowledge within their school (posted by Kate Dare) 

•  Snow in Wellington - powerful simplicity in digital storytelling: Chrissie shares a evocative video of snow on Cuba street. Links are made to creating learning environments by accident or design.

•  iPad Sharing #3 Apps To Support Literacy: A cross-post from her Edublog.

Software for Learning snapshots:

• Using SurveyMonkey to support formative assessment in maths.

• Viddex: Creating authentic contexts for writing and reading using online resources.

• Using Sportypal to personalise and extend athletic achievement.         

• Geocaching: Creating an authentic learning opportunity for students and staff.

• Jing Supporting students to develop their ability to self-assess their learning using ‘Jing’.

• Tips for beginning a class blog

• Blogger: Engaging students in the writing process

Technology

•  The long awaited Moodle App is released: Peter Potter gives it a whirl

Software for Learning snapshots:

• iWork: Primary students use computer generated illustrations and video to make explicit the connections between oral, written and visual language when creating texts.

  UltraNet and video: This snapshot documents the use of the video function on mobile phones and a Learning Management System- Ultranet:U Space. The context is developing students ability to set, share and evaluate goals. The selected learning context is ‘swimming’.

• Dabbleboard: Creating authentic contexts for problem solving in mathematics using screen capture software to demonstrate thinking.

• MovieMaker and Skype: Communicating our learning and supporting the learning of others.

• A Book Creator App: Shared by Allanah, this is ePub Book creator you actually make on the iPad instead of making on your computer and sending to the iPad.

Beyond the Classroom

• Bringing devices to school at Epsom Girls Grammar School: Claire Amos shares their new brochure for parents.

•  Using Global Positioning System application, Layar, to share information about students, their school and their town.

•  NZTA Feetfirst Picture Book Competition which closes 18th November. Ask students to us multi-media to tell their road safety story.

VLN Tip: Are you missing your notices?

Sharing content and discussing ideas are the lifeblood of VLN Groups – don’t miss out by making sure your account is set up to receive notifications when your favourite group or colleague adds content.

• Go to Account > Notifications to select email/site notices – and you can subscribe to the Wire here, too, as well as particular colleagues who post content you enjoy. Don't be afraid to friend them first if you wish!

e-Learning on the Wire…

The Wire is the micro-blogging stream in the VLN. Posts appear in the activity stream…Here’s what we heard:

• FlorenceMaclic: I-pad as a white board... Looks interesting: http://www.interfacemagazine.co.nz/articles.cfm?c_id=&id=1011

• Dragon09: Just putting the final touches to the S4L newsletter - publication coming tomorrow - Sign up here http://softwareforlearning.tki.org.nz/

• Tania: @KatheTP sharing with 25+ teachers the huge benefits of the VLN community:-)

Welcome to all those new members who joined the e-Learning groups here on the VLN this week.

Here's this week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

• Chrissy: Chrissy Ngere Ngere, who posts glimpses into her work via the Wire, is the ICT facilitator for the Ruapani cluster in Gisborne.  She is a total immersion teacher who teaches Yr 5-6 children. Ka rawe, Chrissy! 

Group of the week

Netsafe: This group, facilitated by Sean Lyons, provides an avenue to talk to them their work promoting confident, safe, and responsible use of cyberspace.

A sneak peek: eLearning on the VLN 

• What do schools need to know about copyright?: Netsafe's Sean Lyons posts an update on the Copyright Act, while Rachel Roberts summed up the important aspects in her blog post on the same topic.

Professional Learning

• Did jelly, bouncing balls or team work ever look like this?!: Chrissie Butler continues to inspire us with provoking videos to encourage new ways of thinking and viewing the world.

• Teaching the Teachers: ICT PD at Epsom Girls: Claire Amos uploaded a presentation which gives an insight into their ICT plans for 2012.

• ICT and e-learning revisited: A reflection from Tony Greer on their ICT PD at Somerset, and also on the growth in class blogging.

Professional Learning Events

• ULearn Conference:18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now. Latest news for Ulearn.

• Learning@School Conference: (26-27 January 2012) - Registration now open. Call for papers due by 16th September.

• Software Freedom Day (17 September 2011) is being celebrated internationally. Here in New Zealand, you can attend a range of events including Albany Senior High Open Afternoon and Tauranga Software Freedom Day.

Teaching and Learning |  Digital Citizenship

• QR Codes #6 Pick-a-path stories: Start a story, collate the contributions and convert to QR code. Very interactive mode of communicating, via Allanah King.

• Google docs: Dave Winter (Connected Cluster) posted on the power of Google docs to support collaborative development of knowledge. 

• The Flipped Classroom: A neat infographic explains this particular way of teaching, in which technology allows students to engage in the content before you explore it in class.

• Assistive technology meeting literacy: Comments continue on the way this cluster is supporting special education needs.

• Using e-learning to support and enhance critical thinking: Kate Dare blogs about their work at St James’.

Technology

• Do you use Voicethread? If so, share your tips and advice with Louise who is exploring its possibilities.

• Focus on Animation: Simon Evans (Software for Learning) explores the many animation software packages available for you and your students. Where do you begin?

• Ed Gazette article: Shake up for online learning and admin: Nice overview of how different schools in Christchurch managed the challenges presented by the earthquake using technologies.

iPads and tablets

• TME - Tablet Apps in Education: A review of some good iPad apps- includes a helpful video on each one.

• Threads still running: Managing multiple devices, Screen recording on iPads and Storage for iPads.

• iPad infrastructure set up for schools: What are schools are doing to set up for success with iOS device roll outs in terms of infrastructure in terms of systems and extra hardware / software?
   
• Using iPads and QR Codes to develop multiple perspectives: Tara T-J shared a link to her blog in which she unpacks an inspiring TED talk by Ranghava KK – what do you think?

Beyond the Classroom

• Flat Stanley: Global project app: Barbara Reid's shares a link to the new app for this international literacy and community building activity for students of all ages. 

VLN Tip of the week: Your profile

The beauty of VLN Groups is that our previously-hidden learning networks are visible. We can see that a trusted colleague has connections to other educators who it would be great to know and connect with professionally.

But if you have a grey head and an empty profile, it’s harder to make those connections. Upload an image (that you own) and a few professional details to help you build your professional learning network. Here's some help to get started.

e-Learning on the Wire…

The Wire is the micro-blogging stream in the VLN…Here’s what we heard:

• mcooke: Hi I am new to the VLN.  Our school is currently looking at an access to google apps called HAPARA.  Any thoughts?
• megan.stewart:  We are at a Lead Teacher Day. I would like to make contact with lead teachers at other area schools throughout NZ
• sean.netsafe: Trying to jam Hectorsworld into a box!
• Gerard Macmanus: working through what Kaitao Intermediate School is looking at for tablets for every student, B09 Google Android 2.2 10.1 inch
• Ihipera Whakataka: anyone out there got Mimio? 
• Matthew Thomas: Loving the new WebDAV setup at school. Now I can transfer across movies and images wirelessly to our Server / Macs quickly and easily.

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to all those new members who joined the e-Learning groups here on the VLN this week.

Here's this week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

• Sam Cunnane: Sam is based at Fraser High School. He describes himself as "Visual Arts teacher. Curriculum disrupter. Arts Online facilitator. eLearning experimenter. Photographer" and he is using his experience in technologies to lead the way in online community support for the Arts. 

Group of the week

• e-Learning: Leadership: An open space to support school leaders lead change, develop vision, policy and strategy to integrate ICTs into learning.

A sneak peek: eLearning on the VLN

Leadership

• Rocky Jensen starts a conversation: A Framework for Aotearoa: What opportunities exist to increase the connections between the e-learning planning framework and the unique NZ context in which in will be applied? 

• The Copyright (infringing file sharing) Amendment Act comes into effect. What does this mean for schools? What are the implications and how might we address these?

Professional Learning

• Support from the Digi Advisors: They are offering free professional development sessions to groups or schools through 'Online Snacks'. These are workshops run virtually through online tools such as Adobe Connect or Skype. They are asking for commentary back on what YOU think would like further support with.

• Glenholme Primary School reflects on their SOLO Journey. They share ways to work through their professional learning goals.

Professional Learning Events

• ULearn Conference:18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: (26-27 January 2012) - Registration now open. Call for papers due by 16th September.

Teaching and Learning |  Digital Citizenship

• Birchwood School: Developing our AUP (Acceptable Use Policy) or DCP (Digital Citizen Profile).

• Nayland Primary- Acceptable Use Policy Year 0-3 - as a stepping stone towards a more open Learn, Guide, Protect agreement. 
• Stoke School shares their Acceptable Use/Cybersafety Policy

• New question raised in Inquiry Learning: Hassles, Problems and Issues. If anyone has advice or has experience with Inquiry learning with yr 9 and 10 students. 

Technology

• One-to-one devices in schools: Is your school considering more access to mobile devices? 

• 10 things to do with Voki : Blog post from Software for Learning.

• Assistive Technology - Meeting a literacy challenge: The Connected Cluster shares a reflective summary on providing literacy support through assistive technologies to students who have specific learning disabilities.

Beyond the Classroom

• Karamu High School share how they have been engaging with their wider community via the web, LMS and mobile technologies - to inform parents of attendance and other learning events.

• Baradene/St Peters College blog shares ways to communicate with parents about Digital Citizenship and the use of different devices.

VLN Groups: Tip of the week: Groups

There are many groups here on the VLN, but if you find and join your favourites they’ll become your touchstones. To find them easily:

• join a group, then 
• add it to your favourites, and 
• make sure you have the Groups widget on your dashboard. All your favourites will appear first.

e-Learning on the Wire…

The Wire is the micro-blogging stream in the VLN…Here’s what we heard:

• dreid8: Tātaiako: Cultural Competencies for Teachers of Māori Learners resource/s launched yesterday

• samcunnane: Fun times simultaneously learning to use this VLN, teaching others how to use it, and discussing the new Level 2 standards.

• Tessa Gray: Anyone familiar with working with Y9/Y10 students with inquiry learning? We'd love to hear from you @ http://fizurl.com/inquiry 

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to all those new members who joined the e-Learning groups here on the VLN.

Here's this week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

• Stephanie Thompson:  Stephanie is a student teacher with a passion for e-learning. She is her completing Grad Dip in Primary teaching online via Victoria University of Wellington. Visit her blog for a great example of reflective learning.

Group of the week

• Digi-Advisors: Now Suzie Vesper and Rochelle Jensen, Digi-advisors, have their own space to support teachers using digital content, especially Digistore. Visit them in their Digi-advisors group, a sub-group within e-Learning: Teaching.

A sneak peek: eLearning on the VLN

Leadership

• Are you leading an e-learning initiative in your school?: We'd like to hear from you in the e-Learning: Leadership group.

• An Open Letter to a Principal: 5 Leadership Strategies: What are your thoughts and how would you respond?     

• Building principals' e-capability: The Aoraki Cluster is exploring ways to build principals’ capability in e-learning.

Professional Learning

• Teachers using e-portfolios to support their own learning: Read how the Digital Daze cluster is fostering collaboration as part of professional learning using e-portfolios.

• New thread: Are you building a wall - or a house? A discussion about how to align professional learning with the other initiatives going on in school.

• Teaching as Inquiry - Goal setting and strategies: Check out this video that shows how Malvern Cluster has supported teachers to develop their own e-learning inquiries

• How do we help students to become digital citizens?: Aoraki Cluster is sharing their planning with us.

• Exploring Registered Teacher Criteria 4: How do you use technology for your own learning?

Professional Learning Events

• Next Hotseat/Pae pae session: Jill Hammonds - ICTPD National Facilitator, Core Education will explore Learning as Inquiry (21 September). Sign up for this free online session via the VPL-D space.

• ULearn Conference:18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: (26-27 January 2012) - Registration now open. Call for papers due by 16^th September.

Teaching and Learning |  Digital Citizenship

• Fostering student leadership in technology for learning: Read about the TeKids programme in their blog.

• The Whakatu Cluster are sharing their digital citizenship journey.

• Mixing and mashing: How do your students manage copyright? This thread continues to explore the challenges of ownership and acknowledging, as well as sharing great free use resources.

• New thread: Why students need a 'professional learning network' too: How are your students pursuing their own inquiries?

• Creating learning pathways using Digistore: Read Rachel Roberts summary of Suzie Vesper's hotseat session and listen again.

Technology

• Managing multiple devices: From iPods and PCs, to laptops and tablets - a lively discussion exploring the challenges of having a range of different types of computers in school in school.

• App sharing: Some great ideas being shared here. The more we understand what apps can offer, the easier it is to see opportunities to enhance an aspect of learning.

• Do you use Voki in the classroom?: If so, Simon Evans of Software for Learning would like to talk to you.

Beyond the Classroom

• Continued conversations from Whakatu cluster on Fostering Home/School partnerships

• How might we use Facebook/social media to connect to our school community? The thread continues ...

VLN Groups: Tip of the week: Dashboard

Your dashboard is your home: Make it work for you. You can choose a number of widgets to keep you in touch with what’s going on, and then move them around the page. We like: Group Discussion, Users Online, Latest discussion, Blogs, Groups and Friends. For more help, How to set up your dashboard.

e-Learning on the Wire…

The Wire is the micro-blogging stream in the VLN…Here’s what we heard:

• Gerard Macmanus: "Working through theming our school moodle, running online subject selection and opened up google apps for all students today."   

• chrissy: "At Muriwai School today and enjoying working with the tekkie children around digital citizenship..creating powerpoints are awesome."

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to all those new members who joined the e-Learning groups here on the VLN.

Here's this week's round-up of e-learning goodness from across the VLN Groups.

e-Member of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our e-Learning community. This week, it's....

• Chrissie Butler: Chrissie is a National facilitator with a focus on Special Education for Te Toi Tupu/CORE Education and National ICT Coordinator for BLENNZ, the Blind and Low Vision Education Network, NZ. Here on the VLN, she inspires us with unique multi-media creations that offer a fresh slant on the world around us. Check out her blog, Video resources for PD.

Group of the week

• e-Learning: Teaching: This is a growing group for anyone interested in exploring ways to enhance their students' learning, through the use of ICTs.

A sneak peek: eLearning on the VLN

Leadership

• Leadership in six key words: Tessa Gray wonders if any of this strikes a chord with you?  What does e-learning leadership look like?

• e-Learning: Leadership: This is a dedicated group for anyone who is leading e-learning in their school - which could be any of you! Open to all.

Professional Learning

• What's the most powerful professional e-learning experience you've had? This thread keeps on running. Share your thoughts.

Professional Learning Events

• 5th Annual Education Leaders' Forum: This Wellington conference at the end of August strongly features new technologies to enhance the way schools manage learning. 

• Educamp Dunedin - 27 August: Find out how much teachers have enjoyed these unconferences in Michael Fawcett's Blog from EduCampAKL and the EduCamp thread.
  

• ULearn Conference: 18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: Registration now open. Call for papers due by 16^th September.

Teaching and Learning |  Digital Citizenship

• What would an effective e-learning pedagogy look like?: The ICT PD blog unpacks some thoughts.

• Can a teacher be a good teacher without using technology? Take part in this online poll – and add your thoughts, too.

• Pedagogy Strategy - Learning in an Online World: Tessa shared this useful document for unpacking what an e-learning pedagogy might look like.

• Kaupapa Māori in online and face-to-face learning: Tamara Bell blogs from WIPCE, Peru. Check out the highlights of this conference focusing on education for indigenous peoples.

• Do any of you manage the PRT process using e-learning? Stephanie Thompson is staring down the barrel of this process herself and would like your views.

Technology

• QR codes: How do you use yours? Share your thoughts and read other people's.

• Ultra-fast broadband and your school - what's happening? The recent story of how Rangitoto College is developing its network was added to this discussion.

• The challenge of managing multiple devices: What’s the solution?

• 7 Golden Rules for using technology:  A post from the Committed Sardine blog shared in the Wakatipu e-Learning cluster.

iPads:

• Kids use iPads in different ways.
• Using the iPad creatively in class: Waihi East Primary School share their story of how they've used Puppet Pals HD app on the iPad to re-enact myths and legends while studying Matariki. They also share some links to curriculum goals and key competencies.
• School iPad storage and transport discussion.
• Agreements on home use of school iPads: Allanah King requests sample protocols for iPad use outside school time (Netsafe group).

Beyond the Classroom

• Questions to ask to become more informed about parents/whānau views on children's online learning: Add your thoughts to this shared doc.

• How do we know we are improving home school-school partnerships?: Join the discussion.

• I'm stuck - can you help me?: A Becta report on the role of technology in parental engagement.

VLN Groups: Tip of the week

A friendly professional profile makes it easy for people to connect with you, opening up opportunities to share expertise and build your professional learning network (PLN).

For tips on how to do this, pop into the Getting started group. Feel free to browse profiles of other members to pick up some ideas. You can even change your theme!

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Welcome to all those new members of the eLearning groups here on the VLN. Here's this week's round-up of elearning goodness from across the VLN Communities.

eMember of the week

Each week we'll profile someone who has made a valuable contribution to our eLearning community. This week, it's....

• Michael Fawcett: He teaches Year 3s in Hamilton. Known for his sense of wonder, his beard and awesome helmet, Michael recently blogged his thoughts on the EduCamp Auckland event.

Group of the week

• eLearning: Professional Learning: This groups focuses on connecting anyone interested in exploring what makes for effective learning for teachers, in the context of e-learning. This week people have been sharing thoughts on the most powerful professional e-learning experience they’ve had.

A sneak peek: eLearning on the VLN

Leadership

• The golden rules for your school's elearning strategy. Conversations emerging about the importance of a shared vision for e-learning.

Professional Learning

• EduCamp Bay Of Plenty: The most recent in the EduCamp series. Check out the video from Simon Evans.

• Want to pursue an e-learning passion?: CORE Education awards are open for applications until 29th August.

• Virtual versus face-to-face PLD (.flv): This clip has been uploaded from ICT Enhanced Learning where two groups of teachers debate arguments around face-to-face and virtual professional learning.

• Buddy observations: Terry Maloney shares how his school is planning to document teacher progress in the use of technology through buddy observations.

Teaching and Learning |  Digital Citizenship

• Do you flip?:  Exploring how we can use tech to flip our classrooms to support content exploration, and to foreground ideas for inquiry (e-Learning: Teaching group)

• Year 9 blogging at Mount Aspiring gets underway, as bookmarked by Florence Micoud.

• Cyber safety discussion with Malvern ICTPD lead teachers: An informal discussion based on how the lead teachers felt internet blocking worked at their school.

• What are people doing this term? Share your e-learning focus, and connect with others doing the same (e-Learning: Teaching group).

• Mixing and mashing: How do your students manage copyright? A discussion about how to support students as they copy, paste, use and share (e-Learning: Teaching group).

• ePortfolio collections on Scoop.it!: Nick Rate shared collections of ePortfolios news and happenings, tutorials and general assessment practices.

Technology

• Ultra-fast broadband: We have started to pull together resources and connections across the VLN for schools who are looking to make the most of the potential of UfBIS (e-Learning: Technology group)

• David van der Kundert's blog on UfBIS: The follow-up to his July post shows that progress to get connected has been productive.

Beyond the Classroom

• The eWrapper reflective summary offers an insight into how other schools are facilitating community connections (profiled in ICT PD Online group).

• Computers in Homes: Leanne Apiti shares recent updates on how this programme helps close the gap between child and parent knowledge of technology. (Home-School Partnerships group).

• Connecting by blogging: Emma Watts and others shared their ideas on how to promote blogs with parents/whānau (Whakatu cluster).

Upcoming Events

• 5th Annual Education Leaders' Forum: This Wellington conference at the end of August strongly features new technologies to enhance the way schools manage learning. 

• Educamp series: Next stop is EduCamp Dunners in Dunedin on 27 August
  

• ULearn Conference: 18-21 October in Rotorua: Open for registrations now.

• Learning@School Conference: Registration now open. Call for papers due by 16^th September.

Images: photostock |  renjith krishnan  |  fotographic1980  |  jscreationzs ... all @ FreeDigitalPhotos.net