Futurelearn draft for Ournet

Recently I have written to Carl Munson about BETT visit and possible links with Portugal. He used to work on Phonic FM and is now in Aveiro. Ournet is a project around citizen journalism but not sure how yet. I tried to explain that I was not interested in moving to Portugal but maybe in the UK we will need forms of contact as the Brexit disaster happens.

Meanwhile it turns out that Futurelearn is not at BETT but they have their own event for today and yesterday. #FLForumLDN  search on Twitter. I think this is a major event though there seems to be almost no reporting on it. Could be that Futurelearn is stealth online sort of thing. UK media not really finding it. More later, sorry need to pack for BETT trip tomorrow.

Cut and paste of EU related partners. ( For new readers Futurelearn is a learning platform funded by the Open University )

Bergen  (  Norway sort of in contact with EU )
Dublin City
Eindhoven Uni of Technology
Groningen  Netherlands
Norwegian Uni of Science and Technology
Oslo
Padova
Paris Diderot
Pompeu Fabra  Barcelona
Trinity College Dublin
Universite Libre de Bruxelles

So need to think about how this might relate to Portugal in future. Also UK of course. Futurelearn is based here.

Also what happens in Aveiro? Seems Ournet is based in tech project near university. How is this related to online platforms? Is FutureLearn on the list of mindshare possibles?

Examples of video style ahead of BETT and Learning Technologies

Thinking about what to look for at the shows coming up. Depends on what style is expected.

Here is a fairly formal explanation from the Deming Special Interest Group at the CQI.

Voice and slides. Could be based on Powerpoint or similar. Could be recorded at a live event depending on equipment.

Here is an informal one. Around the Wild Show and @wenotno on Phonic FM in Exeter we visit several cafes. Possibly a promotion but we do raise the difficult issues.

This could be done with a phone. Recently they can process the lighting issues in real time. But still some advantages to a tripod. How to capture conversations around an event? Possibly more from ExCEL soon.

Padcaster have a frame for iPad but I do not know if the Verse for phones will be available in the UK. Advertised for USA already.

Adobe at BETT seem to concentrate on Spark, cloud offer that can do presentations but guides you to short timings for words on each graphic. Rush is available for iPhone but not clear if intended to work with Spark.

At Learning Technologies Camtasia and Adobe more into corporate presentations. Unclear so far how mobile phone video can be edited in.

Will any space for meetings or presentation become a studio?

What production values will the audience accept? YouTube has gone big budget, maybe others accept phone levels depending on content.

More over next few weeks, some as tweets @will789gb

Futurelearn ramble around BETT

Thinking about how to do a blog post about FutureLearn that could work with a news event should something happen at BETT. Weekend almost over, nothing clear to write.

Most of the points made previously. Mostly it seems to me the UK has not offered much support. Very rare to see anything in newspapers or on radio. Search finds the OU discussion before Peter Horrocks left but not much since. Academic opinion still seems to be reserved or just not interested.

Maybe it is because a lot of the activity is outside the UK. There is more solid interest in India. This from last year, possibly more to upload from recently.

British Council work on courses and promotion. But not much UK reporting. Class Central best source.

Seems there is not any Futurelearn presence at BETT 2019. Maybe BETT needs no more media and Futurelearn has gone into the cloud. But surely someone will say something during the week?

clues welcome.

BBC Learning / Radio 1 Academy / where is the STEAM at BETT ?

This is notes around BETT 2019 and visit next Thursday. With Jon Mahy I will be phoning in to the Wild Show on Phonic FM in Exeter. We had hoped to visit the STEAM Village but there is none this year. Around the show there will be STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Last year we could not find much Arts in the STEM Village but the term - STEAM -  has been made public. The BBC was there previously with a Dalek to inspire the connection.

So we aim to get to the BBC stand and ask about STEAM. D 406 .

BBC Learning website here . Mention for Open University so they may also know about Futurelearn.

But we will also ask about the Radio 1 Academy. During the Big Weekend a couple of years ago they visited Exeter and spoke about most aspects of radio. The Lounge implied "visual radio" so video at BETT should be of interest. If this is not part of the stand maybe other links are possible.

Real space is just an interface.

Guardian missing digital aspect

Somehow the print Guardian seems to miss the digital end of a story. Recently Simon Jenkins wrote about the debts of UK universities, mostly for new buildings on campus. He did raise doubts about this but failed to mention the potential for online learning. It could turn out that a blended mix would require much less time spent on campus. The new student accommodation for example must assume twenty years or so. Rare to find this considered.

Then last week Laura McInnery on Adult Education. No doubt that budgets are reduced but there is mention of the OU without Futurelearn. Previously Peter Wilby did an interview with Peter Horrocks that included many quotes from OU staff worried about the downside of Futurelearn investment. Since then very little reporting on the MOOC scene and gradual increase in online degrees / credentials for short courses.

Will the Guardian report much on BETT during next week? Probably not, but this blog will be updated / tweets at @will789gb.

Moving in space as an outline for sound

I have been thinking about how to structure a sequence of video and / or link bits of sound together for a radio show. So far playlists for YouTube and some radio on Phonic.  There are places I return to, central Exeter near Phonic mostly for music /  retail tech. Lancaster campus for study.

Recent discussion on Wild Show about visit to BETT. Just three stages. So far not much info on anything. Starts with what was Special Educational Needs zone

We’ve launched a new area dedicated to SEN and neurodiversity where companies will be showcasing  the latest advancements and resources to support SEN professionals at all levels. Visitors will be able to browse supplier solutions and visit the Sensory Room.

Then STEM / STEAM Village. Will Arts be much in evidence? So far only know BBC is Stand D406, not sure where but can remember STEAM area from last year.

Finish at NetSupport Radio to ask about Arts in STEM, in particular Voice Interface tech. Where else to find in the show? Found this from previously

I had done a version of a walk on Lancaster campus along the spine. This should work for most tech as linked to learning, but this one is about voice. ( In the SEN space probably best location for how visually impaired have used voice interface longer than mainstream )


The campus at Lancaster is a sort of linear sequence, tech vision at InfoLab 21, critique at Management School, possibly implement in public space near library / Learning Zone. Comment from humanities and social science, arts.

In Exeter high street area the sequence might be in reverse. Performers in Exeter Street Arts event seemed to regard social media as normal. Could work back through public space, humanities / social science, to a tech spec of what is needed next.

Learning Technologies has no floor plan at the moment. Not till Feb. Sequence for radio probably to start with Coursera and/or USA projects that seem viable, next Coventry University to ask about Futurelearn. ( Unless Futurelearn turns up somewhere, Coventry mostly there for apprenticeships I think but could also ask about "Post Digital" ) Finish with LinkedIn Learning or other social media, how to link to sound / save in format that works for a studio?

Later versions of updates will appear in blog. Vague still but actual radio shows may be more clear. Or you may have to make your own selection of clips and do the walk yourself.

Update on video at BETT and Learning Technologies

Update on previous post about video at two shows coming up. See previously.

There is mention of YouTube at BETT. Last year Google stand had no info at all but this year there is a talk by Dr Edward Tse,  Engaging Learners with YouTube Linked Lessons , Friday at 1.

Mobile phones even get space, probably. Padcaster advertise the Verse in the USA, a frame to connect phones to a Tripod. Version for tablets has worked fine but only a prototype was shown last year. Hard to imagine the UK will be left behind.

Except that Facebook continues to make their video kit USA only. Can you record on it? Anyone who can please send samples. ( Facebook another  topic not often encouraged in schools but some form of learning is involved and relates to radio )

Adobe still confusing, maybe it is just me and all will be clear later. Rush is new take on Premiere that works on a phone. Only on Apple so I wait to try it but JD has tried it. He was asked too many questions so I assume it is intended for people who already have subscription to full Premiere and probably a range of Apple hardware. Meanwhile there may be other apps that more people will find. Adobe Spark at BETT has a range of cloud based offers that start for free and are easy to understand. Will Rush be part of this in some form? Maybe the Android version?

Then at Learning Technologies Adobe more for corporate training, script starts with Powerpoint for example. Why not a phone? or some way to edit various sources together?

I am still stuck with a trad video camera and Premiere Elements on a Windows desktop. So video edits will take a while after the event. Clues and links welcome though.

Microsoft the main stand at BETT. Record button built into Skype. How best to use this? Other conference software is available but this seems a good place to start.

How to value learning platforms?

This is sort of notes as going along. Should reach a conclusion later. At BETT and Learning Technologies there may be more evidence or other texts. This blog will link and/or guess again.

( So far no info on Futurelearn at BETT but something will turn up. )

Recently searching in Twitter around the Digital Marketing University. Not sure this is a university but a promoted tweet was shown.

So I am looking for something in the right area. I had no idea about GetSmarter. Looks to be working with established brands of uni, including some from UK. So a possible model to show the MOOC style approach is viable or could be. Class Central reports have mostly been about Coursera I think, will check GetSmarter / TwoU later.

Turns out 2U paid over $100m for GetSmarter. see press release. But shares in 2U have been up and down recently. During 2018 heading for 90 and then towards 45. So not a reliable guide. But following the Simon Jenkins take on UK unis and finance it is a safe bet that online platforms will be considered soon as if they are a genuine alternative. Concerns of OU staff about Futurelearn do include the dark side of online but also the chances of viability. Quite how the free basis of the MOOC works with online degrees and credentials for shorter courses is something to work out.

More later. If I am delayed, try Class Central. Guide to conferences here.

Simon Jenkins points enhanced with digital. Question re Futurelearn.

Continuing comments on UK campus. Repeat of some of Simon Jenkins in Guardian. But with added value. He makes no mention of digital, how online learning could shift some activity from the campus. So the problems for UK  where unis have taken on too much debt for buildings could be larger and quicker.

Universities have been able to borrow to finance this capital expansion against the income they get from fees. But since the government pays these fees upfront, and barely half of student loans are expected to be repaid, the guarantor is effectively the Treasury. This resulting student debt has reached a staggering £100bn, and is predicted to rise by 2042 to £200bn, and on some estimates to as much as £1tn.

Links to story about how student accommodation is financed. Investment from outside UK may not realise how much duplication there is. Can every city expand student numbers however much impressive investment is undertaken?

I am still mostly looking at Exeter with concern so may have a bias. Central area building now all student accommodation. I cannot find any info on what projections there are for student numbers. But maybe I should see this as a UK issue. Exeter just gets the effect of investment trends.

There must be a question about a possible debt bubble. Recently a TUC report on UK consumer debt was balanced out in the way the BBC often works out as if there never is anything definite by a statement from the Bank of England that the number could be seen as half as much as the rest was student debt. Reassuring maybe about consumer debt, but the scale of student debt seems so large that it may not continue. Simon Jenkins surely right that the annual amount has been multiplied several times as a projection.

If the accommodation is now a £45billion market as Guardian claims, why is it hard to find £30m for Futurelearn? My guess this could be a better bet longterm, maybe not that long. Could unis invest?

See next post on GetSmarter.

Walk in Central Exeter

See previous posts on Using Lancaster University campus as a walk / location for video chat / links. The Spine is now complete so in March there could be a start. The sequence is from Info Lab 21 with a tech vision, to the Management School for critique, to the central public space with library and bookshop. Then to arts /social science area for comment. Ends at garden outside theatre, then pods near LICA.

Thinking about how to relate this to Exeter I realised during the street Arts festival last year that the walk could be in reverse order. Assume the artists / performers have come to terms with digital or just assume it. Work back through public space to ask what kind of business model relates. Then work on a spec for tech required for next moves.

So could start with stage in High Street as used by Rushes ahead of recent EP launch. Move through Bedford Square / Princesshay . Not sure where filming is allowed. Could get to City Futures to talk about Digital Marketing University. Back though High Street again to Library and Phoenix. Check out possible tech for hire in Phoenix Digital. Anything not obviously possible ask Tech Exeter on visit to workshop.

More detail later, this is a start to begin checking the space.

Draft times for Wild Shows at BETT and Learning Technologies

First try at an outline for Wild Show. JD the Producer will be left in Exeter, with phone ins from ExCEL. Needs some backup sounds on file just in case. So this is the sort of thing we may be looking for.

BETT

Last year two phone calls, one where the Special Needs Zone should have been, it was not there. Second from the STEAM area, should have had Arts as well as STEM. Actually not much there.

This year the Special Needs area is back. SEN & Neurodiversity. STEAM Village not much detail yet but probably in same space. Radio and Sound could be featured. Voice interface probably included in SEN area.

Should arrive at about 10, as both BETT and Wild Show starts. Aim at first call 10.30 and another at 11 from STEAM Village. Should get to NetSupport Radio on Stand D120 before 11.30 when Wild Show winding down. But maybe Russell Prue could tweet something just in case we get delayed?

Rest of the day and day two check out Adobe, Google etc about sound and video. Verse X if in UK. Report back later.

Learning Technologies

Also at ExCEL this year but no floor plan yet. Aim at three calls. Coursera to start, is it definitely viable? Too many doubts in UK about online learning as just a way to burn money. Coventry University has courses with Futurelearn, a Centre for "Post Digital" but also courses for Apprenticeships that appear to be a priority. Depending on time still available visit LinkedIn Learning. How to get sound into LinkedIn? How to record from video or other content. Mix of radio and learning.

Check Adobe and other video. Approach here for training and corporate, Powerpoint etc but will Rush on phones get wider use? (YouTube in background at both shows )

Future of Learning Conference in India ( UK campus debt )

Starting the year with notes, can expand into a news story later. Thinking about BETT and Learning Technologies. See previous posts for views on how to find a headline for Futurelearn / link to reports on Class Central. Turns out that Class Central is a Media Partner for a conference tomorrow and Saturday on the Future of Learning in Bangalore. Futurelearn is represented though by satellite. Talks from previous event are on YouTube so I guess this year will also turn up.

As explained previously when I wrote for OhmyNews we were expected to find a hard news event to start the story. Could be some recognition for Futurelearn or more likely Coursera at Learning Technologies. Sometime soon the viability will be noticed. ( or the possibility )

As reported by the Indian Express the conference will link to Industry 4 ideas. There is recognition that the internet is still limited in India and South Asia, up to 65% with no access at this time. This could change though. Future posts will link to other news reports. Simon Nelson again over the web, he should get there in person for the next one.

I still get the impression that Futurelearn is not much supported in the UK. See previous posts for how Peter Horrocks was regarded. There is a proposal for £40m investment as degrees are on offer. But I still have no take on a revised OU plan that includes how to work with Futurelearn. Maybe I guess too much from Twitter or what seems to be missing.  See Class Central for reports.

Meanwhile in UK Times today has story on debts of some universities. Paywall here but my info from print. Debts reported as £10.8 billion, three times more than before crash in 2008. Specifics Imperial £470m for new sites and UCL with £1.2 billion for Bloomsbury and Olympic site.

Southampton has spent £36m on a hall of residence. See previous posts for more on student accommodation in Exeter as an example. My bias is fairly clear, it just seems out of proportion. Most of the finance comes from outside the university though linked to the vision. Problem could be that not every site can expand to attract more students, also the fees could be less than expected. I cannot find any estimates for Exeter beyond 3-5 years. The investment in student accommodation must assume twenty years or so. But Times article / editorial has no mention of online learning or how much campus space may be needed. Blended situation?

Times paper page 9 report on CD sales shows chart with streaming almost no revenue in 2010 - 2012 , now very strong assuming 1000 streams equals one album sale. Things change.

Comments and clues welcome. More versions of this over the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, this video could do with more promotion