Why to care about research?

What makes research on eLearning difficult ?  Multidisciplinary  Difficulty to get a clear state of the art  Clashes of the models and methods: how to tell what works?  A mix of technology and epistemology  As important to participate in shaping the questions and frameworks as to learn about them: process versus outcomes

 Network  Learning community (CSCL)  Learning space (Grid)  Content  Simulation, augmented reality  Semantically rich representation  Ubiquity and mobility  Interaction  Reification of interactions  Digital imprint of tacit knowledge Need for convergence to fight research fragmentation

shaping the scientific evolution of technology enhanced learning noe-kaleidoscope.org 84 contractors — 23 countries 1100 researchers (2/3) and PhD students (1/3) Universities, Industry and SMEs, users’ groups Budget M Euros Duration 4 years (since: )

A response to the fragmentation of research  By building bridges between  Technology and computer science  Educational, social and cognitive sciences  By developing a shared understanding  Differences and commonalities across disciplines  Across cultures and research practices  By handling the diversity  Across research traditions and organizations  Across the different educational systems Need for a technological & intellectual platform

A “kaleidoscope” of research units

10 issues for a research programme (1-3) 1.combining collaborative learning, mobile learning and inquiry learning  to question the underlying concepts and theoretical framework  need for a comprehensive approach 2. professional learning and training  highly realistic and interactive simulations  microworlds and role-play environments. 3. blended learning  from practical to theoretical perspectives  models to support its development and ensure its efficiency

10 issues for a research programme (4-6) 4.need for models  of learning as an emergent process in complex systems  computationally tractable, cost effective, efficient transfer  empirically valid when confronted to actual use 5. need for cognitive and technological foundations  to design highly interactive learning objects  for a new ecology of learning  for models of context-as-construct to inform TEL design 6. need for shared references  domain specific evidence  research based recommendations  understanding of TEL from an epistemological perspective

10 issues for a research programme (7-9) 7.“De-compartmentalization” of  learning practices  examinations and assessment 8.Constant need for tools for teachers and trainers  TEL innovative authoring tools  Learning management systems “beyond text and PCs” 9.Models and methods to support complex process of adoption of TEL in the different learning contexts

Issue 10: to build tools to enhance TEL as an experimental research field Frameworks for the description of the experimentation settings and processes   methodological standards … Frameworks for the description of experimental data to share, manage and compare data   benchmark … Tools and means to instrument the experimental situation so as to gather experimental data in a meaningful way   testbed... Infrastructure for  the management and sharing of information  the support of research collaborations in all phases

Issues raised by PhD students…  To enhance the young researchers training  Need for different kind of research training:  generic, advanced and specialized  elearning related  Short courses (on demand), support to paper writing  To develop a shared understanding  Desire to contact other PhD students in similar area of interest and enquiry  Access to research projects from other countries  To handle the diversity  Different views of what is research in the field  Heavy language barriers to internationalization

A Virtual Doctoral School  Production of specific information:  Information / post-graduate programs  Research Methods bibliography (dynamic)  Different resources:  Kaleidoscope documents  Outputs from learning activities  TeLearn open archive (documents and video)  Community of interest  Virtual study groups  Access to experts and advisors

The TeLearn Open Archive integrator of TEL research in Europe and beyond An Open Archive initiative powered by the Network of Excellence Kaleidoscope

The Open Archive concept  What is an Open Archive?  Uploading document on sustainable repositories  Systematic tagging (Dublin Core, OAI-PMH)  Easy retrieval (tools by third party)  Benefits  Open, free and reliable sharing  Production (dissemination) consumption  Interoperable repositories  Immediate access  Concerns  Protection, copyright, quality and trust

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PublicationsStandardized description, stamps, shared concerns

kalafrica  To establish a network across research organizations  Call for african partners to join  Demonstrate relevance  Establish an infrastructure, common gateway to research resources

kalafrica to enhance researcher capacity building  Issue of the coherence with the African needs  Access to knowledge, open access to research results  Transfer of know-how  Difficulty to ensure the sustainability of research development  Europe and Africa share the common experience of the diversity of languages and culture in a shared geographical area

Kalafrica to go beyond the Stellenbosch declaration  Need to share and to have ownership  Commitment to improve efficiency  ICT to empower the development of the research community  Introduce young researchers to research network in order to leverage their training at the top research activity  Develop a research culture which will lead to make internet a tool for research