Futurelab e-news items from October and November 2008

Some e-news items that will be of interest to the PEN network:

Adult Informal Learning event – outcomes
This Open Space Discussion was designed to build constructive partnerships with others interested in adult informal learning and the role technology has to play in supporting it. A report is now available, summarising the key points discussed.
Further details… http://www.futurelab.org.uk/events/listing/adult-informal-learning

Greater Expectations
Part of our work programme on ‘Harnessing Technology: Next Generation Learning’ (supported by Becta), Greater Expectations is exploring young learners’ expectations and aspirations for their lives and learning. The project will examine what broad principles young people should be entitled to, how they can experience them more fully, and what role digital technology can play in putting them into practice.
Further details… http://www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/greater-expectations

Opening Education report: Perspectives on early years and digital technologies
This new publication brings together early work from Futurelab’s PhD studentship network, which was set up with the universities of Bristol, Nottingham and Stirling to collaboratively explore questions around the role of digital technologies in young children’s learning.
Further details… http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications-reports-articles/opening-education-reports/Opening-Education-Report1141

Opening Education report: Designing for social justice: people, technology, learning
Another new publication in our provocative Opening Education series, this report provides an introduction to the concept of social justice and the practices of user-centred design, looking at how theories for changing the world marry up with methods to implement these changes.
Further details… http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/publications-reports-articles/opening-education-reports/Opening-Education-Report1128

Learning in families using new technologies – 24 November, London
This workshop will bring together specialists from practice, research and industry, working within the realm of learning in families. The event aims to identify priorities and key challenges, generate recommendations for addressing these challenges in policy and practice, and develop new approaches for supporting learning in diverse families using new technologies. E-mail lyndsay.grant@futurelab.org.uk for more details, but please note that spaces are limited.

Exploring the future education market – 19 November, London
How might the education market might be changed by the development of new digital education platforms? What ‘new’ education providers might emerge through the development of online offerings? What relationships between commercial providers and mainstream educational institutions might develop? Aimed at leading thinkers, practitioners, researchers, industry partners and innovators, this event will explore current trends and possible directions that might emerge for the future education ‘marketplace’. For further details please e-mail beyondcurrenthorizons@futurelab.org.uk.

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inspirED is a collection of news and stories to inspire anyone interested in innovative approaches to teaching and learning, updated three times a year. The first issue is now online at inspired.futurelab.org.uk, and the next will be available in January. To subscribe for e-mail reminders please e-mail inspired@futurelab.org.uk with your name, e-mail address and organisation.