Invitation to the Networked Learning 2010 preconference online hot seats

Prior to the Networked Learning 2010 conference on May 3rd and 4th in Aalborg, Denmark we are offering an exciting series of online hot seats hosted by some of the leading thinkers in the field. Each hot seat will run for a week starting on the following dates:

Caroline Haythornthwaite: Learning in Social Networks and Networked Learning – starting September 28th, 2009

George Siemens and Stephen Downes: Impact on Learning of Networked Technologies - starting October 26th, 2009

Charalambos Vrasidas: Networked Learning and International Development - starting December 7th, 2009

Grainne Conole: Theories and Methodologies for Research in Networked Learning - starting January 18th, 2010

Gabriel Salomon and Rupert Wegerif: Globalisation and Interculturality in Networked Learning - starting February 15th, 2010

And finally during March and April (dates to be announced) there will be hot seats hosted by the conference key notes;

Yrjo Engstrom and Etienne Wenger.

The hot seats are free to attend. All you need to do is sign up at the conference community website and join the online hot seat debates.

If you would like to start a hot seat or seminar yourself please contact Maarten De Laat

Networked Learning Community Space

The Networked Learning Conference Committee has this year introduced a brand new Community space to its website. The Community space encompasses a social networking environment with personal profiles and the possibility to create informal groups for discussing symposium proposals. In addition it features a separate forum for running networked learning online seminars and hot seat discussions prior to the conference itself. When you have registered for an account and logged in, you will be able to access the 'community home' and 'forum' spaces from the community menu.

The Social Networking Environment

The social networking environment is built on the Jomsocial plugin for Joomla (which the Networked Learning Conference is built on). You can read more about the features of the social networking environment and how to use it here and you can find detailed information on how to setup your profile page. The social networking system is open and allows participants to connect with each other, form their own groups, import external blog post and tweets etc.

Community Groups - open informal groups

Besides social networking the community area also offer the opportunity for setting up informal groups. With your friends you can set up a group and make plans for conference submissions. You can start and host groups on your preferred topic to realise these plans or just to have an open discussion on issues close to your work.

How groups work

After you have logged in a menu on the left will appear - here you can choose Groups . Click on create group (see image above)– on the mid left side of the screen - , give it a name and select “open groups” category in the pull down menu. After that your group is public and you can invite your friends to your group. We advise you to announce your group in the community space to attract people and maximise discussion and learning.

The Forum - Online Seminars and Hot Seats

The forum is intended to be for more structured discussions and announcements and will be used to host the online seminars and hot seats. The categories and sub-forums for the forums will be created by the Conference Committee. Any suggestions however for a category or forum are welcome as are requests to host online seminars or hot-seat discussions (read more 'about online seminars and hot seats' and 'guidelines for online seminars' )