At the NAVCON2K4 conference we are going to explore the use of Blog technology as a means of increasing the impact of the conference. To this end we are developing the conference website around the Interact community software technology that also has a Blog built in.

We hope to do three things:
- introduce Blogging to those of the 1800 delegates who havenít yet encountered Blogs (they all get a Blog!)
- pull together conference keynotes, speakers, delegates, and presenters who already have Blogs before, during, and after the conference
- perhaps most importantly, we hope delegates will individually or as groups Blog their critical learning incidents from the conference and then review these in PD sessions when they get back to their schools

Through making the above possible, we are trying to increase the impact of the conference by easily enabling teachers to capture their thoughts as the conference progresses and review and reflect upon their learning individually and as groups when they return to their schools. So if you read this, are coming to the conference, and already have a Blog, then please send me your URL! Either leave it as a comment on my Blog or email stephenp@ultralab.net

Gaining a degree qualification without quitting the job you love!

Ba. (Hons) Learning, Technology and Research Anglia Polytechnic University Cohort Pathway Approvals Document

Ultraversity offers a BA. Hons Qualification in “Learning, Technology and Research” and provides access to higher education to people who enjoy their work. The programme both develops students effectiveness in their particular work role, and also aims to help them gain the confidence and skills to influence and improve practice within their work setting.

The Ultraversity degree (from Anglia University in the UK) is delivered totally online and uses students workplace as the research focus of their degree. In his session, Stephen will explain how the degree programme works for groups of students in the UK such as teacher aids, office support staff, and for a wider range of students who are all committed to continual learning, trying new approaches and improving their professional practice.

Project plan

Ultraversity degree programme aims

Ultraversity degree programme characteristics:
- workplace context determines subject discipline
- full-time
- 100% online
- learning facilitators (lecturers), researchers (students), and expert witnesses (both subject and job related) as co-researchers
- online community of enquiry

Learning processes, protocols, and assessment:
- the Ultraversity model
- workplace reflective practice and action enquiry
- assessment through a portfolio of patchwork texts (Professor Richard Winter)
- online community of enquiry
- building towards an ‘exhibition’!

Degree programme scope:
- ist cohort started July 2003 with a cohort 350 researchers
- 2nd cohort started April 2004 with a cohort of 100 researchers
- 3rd cohort planned start January 2005 with a cohort of 250 researchers

Researcher characteristics:
70% qualify for waived tuition fees, large number of mothers with young families, people who felt they had missed the opportunity for Higher Education

Workplace groups:
Teaching assistants, school office staff, special education, information centres, health workers,

Some researcher’s work!:
Ultrastudents unofficial but great!

The technology:
- Portfolio tool
- community software
- Blogs

UV us an action research project – what does this mean for the development of the degree?