13th September - Web 2.0 Senior Managers Workshop Liability & Law

A JISC Legal event, venue Teacher's Building Glasgow

17th September 2008: Introducing RFID - Are you on the right Wavelength?

The two Scottish JISC Regional Support Centres and SLIC will host an important RFID technology briefing in The Lighthouse in Mitchell Lane, Glasgow. Free to SLIC members and staff from all Scottish FE & HE institutions, this full day event will bring together key suppliers, practitioners and experts in an informal environment where they can network, experience supplier demonstrations and learn more about this important technology.

2nd October 2008 - Symbol Based ICT Solutions for Students in Education

Widgit Software publishes educational software, particularly focusing on improving communication and literacy through a wide range of symbol-supported learning materials. This event will comprise of a seminar, "hands on", and practical advice and solutions.

7th October 2008 - Smartbox: The Grid 2 Training Workshop

This workshop includes an introduction to The Grid 2 and its features, with lots of hands-on time to use the software and to ask questions. The Grid 2 is a communication system designed for people with disabilities who have difficulty with verbal communication.

21st October 2008 - RSCtv: How does podcasting work? The secrets of RSS revealed

What is Podcasting? Find out more about Podcasting by tuning in to this RSCtv session to gain an overview of Podcasting technology.

29th October 2008 - Creating Information in Alternative Formats Using EasyConverter

We all have a responsibility for creating information in alternative formats in order to meet the requirements of the DDA. Creating information in alternative formats can assist staff and students with disabilities, dyslexic people, those for whom English is not their first language or people who have different learning styles. EasyConverter software enables us to be able to produce information in alternative formats very easily.

29th October 2008 - Virtual Worlds Conference

The two Scottish Regional Support Centres, in collaboration with the Higher Education Academy (Scotland), are delighted to announce Virtual Worlds 2008.

The one-day national event Virtual Worlds 2008 brings together the best of virtual worlds used in education today, with the opportunity for you to learn about and talk to people who are successfully using the technology with real students. There's nothing like trying it out for yourself though, so throughout the day, you'll be able to attend hands-on workshops where you'll experience actual learning sequences 'in world'. This participative aspect of Virtual Worlds 2008 promises to make it a conference quite unlike any you've experienced before.

4th November 2008 - JISC InfoNet - Getting your eMail & Information Under Control

This session will cover inclusion principles, many of which are common to many modes of eLearning in addition to assessment, that will help your eAssessments to be more inclusive, and many of which are easily achievable.

5th November 2008 - RSCtv: How does podcasting work? The secrets of RSS revealed

This workshop will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to regain the upper hand. It's a highly interactive and practical workshop where delegates get to put the skills they have just learnt into action, slowly bringing order to a chaotic mass of seemingly random and unconnected information.

11th November 2008 - WWW - What A Wonderful World: An Introduction to Web 2.0 Tools for Teaching & Learning

The aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to the wide range of Web 2.0 applications available and their potential to transform and enhance the way we teach and learn. The workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to communicate, create and share resources using blogs, wikis and social bookmarking. It will highlight examples of how these tools can be used for teaching and learning and present an overview of a range of other applications that are beginning to emerge in the Web 2.0 world.

18th November 2008 - RSCtv: Ensuring eAssessment process is inclusive with Simon Ball from TechDIS

The second presentation from Dr Simon Ball. This session will focus on alternative arrangements, adjustments, marking and the less tangible modifications you can make to your practice that will help to ensure your eAssessments are more inclusive.

16th December 2008 - RSCtv: JISCLegal

How not to break the law whilst adapting materials for accessibility - The Quick Blow Guide".

20th January 2009 - RSCtv: BBC Motion Gallery

BBC Motion Gallery, in conjunction with JISC Collections, has launched a subscription-based website which offers students and lecturers within UK HE & FE establishments the opportunity to download and use from a selection of DVD-quality 20,000 BBC clips. The service is already proving hugely popular amongst the HE & FE community and Paul Maidment from BBC Motion Gallery will introduce the business and demonstrate the website.

27th January 2009 - eSkills for Learning Resource Staff

Staff working in Learning Resources Centres are increasingly required to be knowledgeable in the use of learning technologies. This workshop will highlight some of the tools being used in teaching and learning, as well as give an overview of eContent available for use in FE institutions.

2nd February 2009 - Technology to Support Learners with Communication Difficulties: Using Augmentative and Alternative Communication

This is a workshop for ANYONE who would like to find out more about communication systems for people with more profound communication issues with a particular focus on *Dynavox products, and will be of interest to all disciplines within an educational establishment who work with or come across learners who use this type of technology. The session will be delivered by Dynavox, one of many providers of advanced augmentative and alternative communication solutions (sometimes known as AAC technology). AAC devices help thousands of people with speech, language, learning, and physical disabilities express themselves more fully. Through the power of speech, successful individuals have broken through the communication barrier to excel in the classroom, the workplace, and the community.

*Dynavox are one of many AAC commercial suppliers. For more information on other companies that provide AAC technologies follow this link to the Communication Matters website.

3rd February 2009 - RSCtv: Using Social Bookmarking for teaching and learning

Bookmarking favourite internet sites is common practice. Social Bookmarking adds another dimension to this and describes the practice of saving bookmarks, adding keywords and sharing them with others through a web site. Social Bookmarking provides new ways and mechanisms for organising information and of particular use when collecting a set of resources that can be shared with others. Login to RSCtv to find out how this can be applied effectively to Learning & Teaching.

17th February 2009 - RSCtv: Using Blogs for teaching and learning

Web 2.0 is transforming the way we use the Internet. Web 2.0 tools such as blogs allow us to participate in creating content and to share ideas and information with others. Login to RSCtv to find out more about blogging and how it can be applied to learning and teaching.

27th February 2009 - Netskills: How Can ePortfolios Support 21st Century Learning?

This free-to-attend workshop will explore what we mean by e-portfolios and how e-portfolios can support 21st century learning. Drawing on the work of JISC-funded projects and other significant e-portfolio developments, it will provide a snapshot of learning enhanced by e-portfolios in higher, further and continuing education.

3rd March 2009 - RSCtv: Using Voting Systems for teaching and learning

This session will look at the various types of Electronic Voting Systems on the market and how they can be used to make your lessons more fun, but still have significant academic value. It will focus how creating stand-alone tests, adding interaction to presentations, and how they can be used to analyse student understanding.

5th March 2009 - Virtual Worlds: Second Life Induction Workshop

This workshop will guide you through the basic skills that you need to start engaging with the virtual world - Second Life. During the course of the session you will learn how to communicate, interact and explore this exciting new environment. You will also start to get a better understanding of how this environment works and ways in which you could use it in your teaching. Taking part in a range of activities you will gain confidence and feel ready to explore more of Second Life.

17th March 2009 - RSCtv: Texthelp Read & Write Gold

Texthelp Read and Write Gold is an assistive technology comprised of many features designed to assist students with their reading and writing. Unique functionalities include text-to-speech, phonetic spell checker, word prediction, speaking dictionary, speak as you write. This software is a wonderful resource for students (or staff) who have dyslexia, difficulty with reading/writing, those for whom English is not their first language. Log into this RSCtv session and find out more about how Texthelp Read and Write Gold might help you and your students.

19th March 2009 - Using ePortfolios for teaching and learning

There is now an increased interest in more learner-centred, personalised forms of learning. Many recent studies have highlighted how ePortfolios can be used within institutions to support their learners. This workshop will focus on the functions that an ePortfolio system can offer, and some of the institutional issues involved. It will also provide a demonstration of how to use an ePortfolio system, as well as allowing participants to have hands-on experience of working with one.

24th March 2009 - JISC Conference 2009 - EDINBURGH

This event will be of interest to all those involved in planning for and supporting the use of technology in research, post-16 and higher education, including:

• Senior managers responsible for developing and implementing policy and strategy
• Staff who play a role in supporting the use of technology in educational organisations, including practitioners
• Teachers and researchers with an interest in the use of technology

Further Details

31st March 2009 - RSCtv: Mobile Technologies for teaching and learning

Despite the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones, current activities around the use of mobile technologies can still be considered innovative. This RSCtv session will outline advantages to be gained, the possibilities for the application of mobile technologies for Learning & Teaching and will also highlight some of the issues that need consideration by learning institutions.

6th & 7th April 2009 - Technical Training: Microsoft DNS

Aimed specifically at Clydenet connected institutions this 2 day course covers the technical implementation with 'hands-on' labs, management & support of Microsoft DNS and it's integration into Active Directory.

22nd April 2009 - Smarter Greener Learning: A Strategic Approach for Post-16 Education - EDINBURGH

The JISC RSC Smarter, Greener Learning Conference, brings the latest strategic thinking and practical advice to managers in the post-16 education sector to help them accelerate their implementation of sustainable business practices. Senior managers with an interest or strategic role in sustainable development will benefit from the programme's focus on strategic planning and emergent best practice supported by regional case studies.

The conference programme will include:

• strategic planning and management
• the business case for sustainable IT
• the ICT product lifecycle and its impact on the environment
• communicating institutional strategies and plans
• server-side/ data centres
• desktop management
• thin client
• application

22nd April 2009 - Webcast - Web 2.0 and the Law for Colleges and Universities

Want to find out about the legal issues surrounding the use of Web 2.0 for teaching and learning in UK colleges and universities, then "tune in" at 2pm for a free, no registration or set-up required live broadcast from JISC Legal. We'll deal with the real questions that face colleges and universities, and suggest approaches which allow confidence in compliance. Alongside the JISC Legal team, we are pleased to welcome Ross Nicol from Maclay, Murray & Spens solicitors' IP and Technology Department to guide you through.

28th April 2009 - RSCtv: An overview of Web 2.0 Technologies

Web 2.0 is transforming the way we use the Internet. The traditional Internet provides us with a platform to locate and find information, with the flow of information from the content provider to the user. With Web 2.0 tools we can participate in creating that content, collaborate and communication with others to share ideas and information. Web 2.0 tools allow us to personalise the Internet in ways that suit us as teachers and learners. This RSCtv session will explore the various Web 2.0 tools highlighting those most relevant to teaching and learning.

28th April 2009 - From Good Intentions to Good Practice: Making the Disability Equality Duty Meaningful

Good ergonomic practice is vital in avoiding discomfort and to reduce the risk of back/neck pain and repetitive strain injuries (RSI). This means that equipment and technologies in the workplace and learning environment should be provided to meet individual needs and, where necessary to be adapted if required. The DDA and Disability Equality Duty also places additional responsibility on institutions to make reasonable adjustments to support the functional needs of staff/students with disabilities, musculoskeletal difficulties and other support needs.

Come along to this free event being delivered by iansyst and Posturite, leaders in the assistive technology and ergonomic resources field in the UK, to find out how you can ensure that your institution is doing everything it can to create a healthy working/learning environment.

28th April 2009 - RSCtv: An overview of Web 2.0 Technologies

Web 2.0 is transforming the way we use the Internet. The traditional Internet provides us with a platform to locate and find information, with the flow of information from the content provider to the user. With Web 2.0 tools we can participate in creating that content, collaborate and communication with others to share ideas and information. Web 2.0 tools allow us to personalise the Internet in ways that suit us as teachers and learners. This RSCtv session will explore the various Web 2.0 tools highlighting those most relevant to teaching and learning.

6th May - JISC Legal webcast - Digital Copyright with Confidence

If you are baffled by what copyright law permits and does not permit you to do with digital and print resources, then this webcast is for you.

This webcast, coming live on Wednesday 6 May 2009 at 2pm, will examine the legal issues surrounding copyright licences and digital content such as

• texts
• sounds including music
• images including video images
• films

This is an opportunity to refresh your knowledge on how digital material can be used legally for teaching and learning. We also plan to examine in some detail the changes which have taken place with regard to licensing of digital content. In particular David Crook, the Higher Education licensing Account Manager with the Copyright Licensing Agency, has agreed to speak and explain what is now on offer with the Comprehensive HE Licence. Your online participation will be welcome.

Further details of the Webcast, including the programme and the speakers, can be found on the JISC Legal website.

7th May 2009 - Podcasting for Pedagogic Purposes

A FREE event of the PPP Special Interest Group, funded by the HE Academy. This event is open to both FE and HE institutions and is being held at Glasgow Caledonian University. The programme of the day includes:

Keynote Speakers:

• Placing Oxford on iTunesU - Peter Robinson, University of Oxford
• Embedding podcasting in the curriculum - Joe McGuire, University of Glasgow

Parallel sessions:

• Making a Podcast - working together in small groups, each creating a podcast from a given scenario.
• Open Floor Thunderstorm - an opportunity for participants to give a 10 minute presentation on the topic of podcasting in education.
• Student voices - students' practical experiences of podcasting

12th May 2009 - RSCtv: Free Technologies for Inclusion: Bridging the Digital Divide

This session will highlight the growing range of free and open source technolgies to support inclusion.

26th May 2009 - Scottish Federated Access Management Forum (McShib)

The McShib forum provides a mechanism for individuals within Scottish colleges and universities to share information about federated access mangement. The next meeting of the forum will take place at the University of Glasgow (Wolfson Medical Building).

27th May 2009 - e-Inclusion Scotland '09: Making Sense of Inclusion in e-Learning

Hosted by the two Scottish RSCs in collaboration with JISC TechDis, this full day event is for the "movers and groovers" in Scottish tertiary education, supporting accessibility and e-inclusion.
Further Details

4th June 2009 - Web 2.0 Forum for Academic Librarians

The next meeting of the Web 2.0 Forum for Academic Librarians takes place here at our offices.
Event Programme

3rd, 8th, 10th or 15th June - Bank on Success: e-Assessment Project

Assessment forms a critical part of the learning process. Making use of e-Assessments has a number of benefits for both the learner and lecturer. These include the ability to provide immediate feedback to the learner, assessments can be linked to other online course materials being used and lecturers are likely to spend less time marking assessments. Bank on Success, a project focusing on e-Assessment, is being piloted by us here at the JISC RSC Scotland South & West during the summer term.

Based on a model the RSC team has used before, the aim is to up-skill staff in the art of designing valid and reliable e-Assessments and at the same time build up an assessment bank for the sector to use. In the pilot phase the supported Colleges and HEIs in the West of Scotland will be offered a free training workshop with the expectation that delegates will create 2 x 10 question tests to consolidate the new skills developed during training. These will be made available on the RSC website in a format suitable for the learning platforms in use in the West of Scotland.

The pilot phase of this project will run on four dates during the summer term. To participate in the pilot and take up the offer of a free training place, complete the appropriate booking form for the workshop which suits you best. You need attend only one of the four workshops on offer. The workshop will run from 9.30 am - 4pm.

12th June 2009 - Realising the Benefits: Sharing Innovative Practice

Showcasing The Best of the West, this year our main event is being held in the prestigious Glasgow Science Centre on June 12th. Using local FE case studies that reflect developments around the region, the event will focus on sharing innovative and effective practice and initiatives that have had significant institutional impact in tertiary education in the south and west of Scotland.

A stunning visual panorama featuring The Best of the West banners will be on display, highlighting innovation in each of our 20 supported Colleges in the region. Guy Lambert, Managing Director of the new JISC Services Management Company is one of our keynote speakers and there will be a wide range of JISC services on hand to support and advise. Aimed at principals, senior and middle managers, this event is free with 3 places available per RSC Scotland South & West supported institution.

More Information

18th June 2009 - ICT & Inclusion 2009

Organised by CALL Scotland and the JISC RSCs for Scotland South and West and Scotland North and East, this free event is an ideal opportunity for teachers, therapists, lecturers and parents to see the latest technology to support students with additional support needs. It provides an opportunity to see and compare the latest software and technology from most of the leading UK companies. This year the focus has broadened to include the use of technology in Further and Higher education, in addition to school education.

Suppliers will describe their key products in timetabled sessions and there will also be short presentations by staff from CALL Scotland, the JISC Regional Support Centres on how to aid inclusion. In addition, there will be a series of short seminars presented by local teachers, therapists and other invited speakers on the use of different software and technology for students with additional support needs.

19th June 2009 - Technical Training:Microsoft DNS

Aimed specifically at ClydeNET connected institutions this Microsoft Certified 2 day course covers the technical implementation with 'hands-on' labs, management & support of Microsoft DNS and it's integration into Active Directory. The Course is fully funded by ClydeNET and will be hosted at the training facility here at the RSC, Todd Campus.