All entries for Friday 10 July 2009

July 10, 2009

Grad School session: Risk–free online networking, publishing and communications

I've been asked to teach a session about online identity and security for the Warwick Graduate School skills programme. Here's the description that I have written for their programme:

Risk-free online networking, publishing and communications

How safe is your identity? What risks do you take when interacting with web sites? Social networking, blogging, podcasting, buying online? For many people, ordinary everyday activities. Add to that the increasing pressure upon academics to present themselves and their work through the web. For the media, this is inevitably a crisis:

Millions of people are leaving themselves open to identity theft when using social networking websites, according to the consumer group Which? Members of sites such as Facebook can join large networks which reveal personal information to thousands of others on the network. Personal data privacy ‘at risk’, BBC News website, 21st February 2008

In this session we will examine the truth behind the online identity and security panic. We will consider the trade-off between being open and staying secure. Common risks will be evaluated. Simple safety measures will be recommended.

Learn to enjoy using the web to develop your academic and professional identity and networks.


Robert O'Toole : 10 Jul 2009 15:54 |  Tags:   |  Comments (1) |  Report a problem

Designing spaces for successful researchers, writers, artists, learners

Is success as a researcher made more likely by adopting certain arrangements of working space and technology? If so, are there generic patterns? How are these spatial design patterns related to those used by other successful creatives? Are they the same patterns that can help a learner to be successful?

Are there generic patterns for creative spaces that apply to researchers and learners?


Robert O'Toole : 10 Jul 2009 13:32 |  Tags:   |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem

Open Space Learning – initial tasks

Some initial tasks for the Open Space Learning project:

  • Design a framework for case studies
    • Pre and post event interviews
    • Key questions, parameters
    • Filming of events
    • Gathering of online materials
    • Learning design patterns
    • Getting students involved and contributing, capturing feedback fast and immediately
  • Survey people who support OSL activities, consider how they can be supported and practice developed and communicated
  • Set up some activities to demonstrate technology and techniques or away day



Robert O'Toole : 10 Jul 2009 12:15 |  Tags:  |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem