CMALT is the ALT C membership scheme that might be of interest to anyone out there working in learning technology. Its aims is to provide recognition and accreditation to individuals working in the filed of e-learning and in particular linking technical and pedagogical considerations.

The central tenet of the scheme is the definition of learning technology agreed within ALT. The other principles and values that inform the scheme are as follows.
1. A commitment to exploring and understanding the interplay between technology and learning.
2. A commitment to keep up to date with new technologies.
3. An empathy with and willingness to learn from colleagues from different backgrounds and specialisms.
4. A commitment to communicate and disseminate effective practice.

ARU hosted an ALTC workshop at which one of my tasks (with a colleague) for the group was to identify how we might make a claim against the value “An empathy with and willingness to learn from colleagues from different backgrounds and specialisms”.

We concluded that the 500 word claim from this section could look like:

– 2-5 foci per value
– the portfolio of evidence should be supported by reflective commentary identifying learning and changes in practice. The balance of reflective commentary against e-portfolio evidence, should, if anything be skewed towards the reflective commentary
– foci could come from areas that include:
– online website access validators (e.g. WebXACT)
– pathway validation documents
– ARU e-learning QA checklist
– national and university policies and strategies and how they relate to work submitted in the portfolio

An interesting group discussion was to what extent claims should be set in the wider context of theoretical and research knowledge underpinning learning technologies. There was no simple answer, however the group felt that it would be appropriate to locate claims within the broader debate around e-learning and learning technologies.

In addition to making a claim against each of the principle values, applicants must also identify a specialsist option against which they will be assessed. For me, personalisation of learning looks like an obvious specialism.

So will I complete my application? Yes I think I will. Personally, reflecting upon value 3 will I think be of professional value to me.