![\"\"](\"https:\/\/oeb.global\/oeb-insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/salmon_3.jpg\" "\\"Gilly")
<\/a>Gilly Salmon<\/p><\/div>Dramatic actions such as saving workers from a blazing oil rig are all in a day\u2019s work for Gilly Salmon. Only they take place online \u2013 in the virtual environment of \u2018Second Life\u2019. As a Professor of E-Learning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester in the UK, Salmon and her team create \u201cacademic learning futures\u201c. In several talks and workshops at OEB, Salmon will discuss the latest trends in working with a new generation of learners, as well as how to vision future scenarios for higher education.<\/strong><\/p>\n by Andrea Marshall<\/em><\/p>\n How do you evacuate an oil rig in the event of a fire? At the University of Leicester, it was the students of psychology who had to deal with this question. As an authentic simulation of the situation is impossible in reality, they tried virtual simulation. Now it can be \u2019e-vacuated\u2018 \u2013 over and over again. Time and space do not play a role.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are harnessing the power of this technology \u201c, says Gilly Salmon. \u201cAt low cost, but with very high value for learning. In 10 years\u2019 time, this will be a regular way of working in education.\u201c<\/p>\n Another example which exploits the potential of \u2019Second Life\u2018(SL) is the simulation of societies and environments that no longer exist, for students of archaeology and ancient history. \u201cThis is the great value of low cost virtual worlds \u2013 to do what we cannot do in real life.\u201d she says.<\/p>\n The use of \u2018Second Life\u2019 is one way of maximising learning opportunities, both in Leicester and elsewhere. Gilly Salmon calls this a \u201cSL-tivity\u201c. She originally created a framework for text-based asynchronous group work in online environments which she called \u2018E-tivities\u2019. Meanwhile, new delivery formats arrived on the campus. Apart from E- and SL-tivities, academic online learning now also includes audio and video podcasting (Pod-tivities) and collaborative websites (Wiki-tivities).<\/p>\n The latest idea is using e-book readers to enhance the experience of distance learning. Originally developed for leisure use, Salmon and her team have recently arranged for university-owned material to be put onto e-readers. \u201cThe obvious advantage is that e-book readers and digital content are much lighter to send to distance learners. No more heavy boxes of books. And costs are dramatically reduced\u201c, Salmon points out. The experiment is just beginning, but at OEB she will report on its reception so far.<\/p>\n Asked how she identifies potential trends, Salmon states that engaging with the learners themselves is the key to understanding and preparing for the future. One method to help envisage what will come next in education is by looking back into the past. In an open workshop (\u201cThe Future Is Not What It Used To Be\u201c), Salmon\u2019s team recently offered to extend \u201cthe process of historical thinking into the domain of the future\u201c. One activity was to create \u201cvirtual histories\u201c using Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia.<\/p>\n At OEB, Salmon will take part in a plenary session entitled \u201cHindsight, Insight, Foresight, Oversight…: A Call for Learning Futures\u201c. She will explain how they involve historians to find out which trends are predictive, and which will peter out. \u201cThis is an unusual perspective for historians but it is worthwhile\u201c, she says. Salmon will be seconded by Aaron Porter, who will present the view from the learners\u2019 perspective. After starting out as a student at Leicester University, he is now the vice-president of Britain\u2019s National Union of Students.<\/p>\n However, these unusual perspectives and the use of new technologies can be very challenging for universities which have a formal learning tradition can go back 1000 years. Hence Salmon and her team have established the \u2019Media Zoo\u2018: physical as well as virtual spaces in which they promote innovative learning technologies across the university.<\/p>\n Why a \u2018zoo\u2019? \u201cIt is about taming wild technologies\u201c, Salmon says. \u201cIt helps to engage with all staff at the university and turn research into practice.\u201c The \u2018Media Zoo\u2019 is fun, easily accessible and safe, and it caters for different needs: \u201cSome people might be adventurous and go on a safari to look at the wilder opportunities and evidence. Others prefer to stay in the \u2018pets corner\u2019 with the established, safe technologies such as virtual learning environments and digital libraries.\u201c Salmon will present the achievements of the project in a practical hands-on Learning Caf\u00e9 at the OEB: \u201cResearch to Practice, Pilot to Mainstream: The Media Zoo Approach\u201c.<\/p>\n However, Gilly Salmon\u2019s work goes far beyond just spotting trends and carrying out projects. Drawing on 15 years of experience at the Open University Business School and holding research degrees in both online training and change in education, she develops strategies and policies to deal with the complex changes emerging from \u201cknowledge-technology-society transformations\u201c.<\/p>\n The University of Leicester has just introduced such a strategy: a new comprehensive concept for learning innovation. \u201cEveryone is involved, from the senior management to the students\u201c, Salmon explains. It is everyone\u2019s responsibility to initiate change: \u201cAll citizens need to address the big problems of the 21st century \u2013 climate change, health, poverty and economics. They cannot be dealt with if people sit through lectures getting bored. Who is going to start the change if not higher education?\u201c<\/p>\n At OEB 2009, Gilly Salmon will share her knowledge in a workshop, learning caf\u00e9 session and plenary discussion: Dramatic actions such as saving workers from a blazing oil rig are all in a day\u2019s work for Gilly Salmon. Only they take place online \u2013 in the virtual environment of \u2018Second Life\u2019. As a Professor of E-Learning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester in the UK, Salmon and her team create \u201cacademic […]<\/p>\nFrom E-Tivities to Wiki-Tivitiesc<\/h3>\n
\u201cLiving It Forwards, Understanding It Backwards\u201c<\/h3>\n
Taming Wild Technologies at the \u2019Media Zoo\u2019<\/h3>\n
Strategic Approach to the Big Questions<\/h3>\n
\nPre-Conference Workshop \u201cCreating Academic Learning Futures\u201c, Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 14:00 \u2013 18:00.
\n\u201cResearch to Practice, Pilot to Mainstream: The Media Zoo Approach\u201c, December 3, 2009, 12:00 \u2013 13:30.
\nKeynote presentation with Aaron Porter \u201cLearning: Living It Forwards, Understanding It Backwards\u201d in the Plenary \u201cHindsight, Insight, Foresight, Oversight…: A Call for Learning Futures\u201c, December 4, 2009, 09:15 – 11:00.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"