Tim Wang's eLearning Blog

Hello Sleepless Seattle! Well, it was a short ride from vancouver to Seattle. Much more comfortable than some short haul flights. This is actually my first time being in Seattle. We stumbled upon a film festival reception / party 20 minutes after we checked into the hotel. (We heard the Music from my hotel suite, just followed the beat.) It was an amazing party with some great 50/60 musics! Anyway, better get some sleep and need to get up early for a workshop planning meeting. Uli and I are giving a pre-conference workshop with our friends from SURFfoundation and INHOLLAND University of Professional Education. The title of the workshop is: Seminar 09P - Let's Get Visual! Integrating Concept Maps, Rich Media, Social Software, and the LMS into Teaching and Learning

Workshop Abstract: Today’s students favor visuals and social computing tools, while instructors want to foster the development of deep, expert knowledge. Using concept maps connects student desires and instructor objectives. INHOLLAND University of Professional Education and the University of British Columbia have innovatively linked concept maps, rich media, and Web-based content.

At INHOLLAND University students learn in a visual and social online environment, using concept maps to engage in argumentation, writing, reflection, and brainstorming. Combinations of concept maps and rich media with a learning management system, wikis, and blogs help students create a unique yet structured viewpoint that retains a bird’s-eye view of complex ideas and concepts.

Instructors and staff from INHOLLAND, SURFdiensten, and UBC will discuss the process of choosing, implementing, and piloting a new concept mapping tool; demonstrate 10-plus practices and templates; and present tools in a hands-on manner.