My View on EduLearn 2010

Last week I was in Barcelona participating on EduLearn 2010. The main objective of this conference is to promote and disseminate the experiences in new educational technologies and e-learning applied to Education in all fields and disciplines.

EduLearn 2010 was a gigantic conference with six parallel sessions. The conference main topics included some interesting issues like:

• e-Learning (Blended Learning, Mobile Learning , Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs), Managed Learning Environments (MLEs), Learning Management Systems (LMS), Online/Virtual Laboratories, eLearning Standards (SCORM), Online Assessment)
• Computer Supported Collaborative Work (Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVEs), Web 2.0 and Social Networking: Blogs, Wikis, etc, Web 3D Applications and Virtual Reality)
• Emerging Technologies in Education (Technology-Enhanced Learning, Web Classroom Applications, Mobile/Wireless Technologies)
• Educational Software & Serious Games (Computer Software on Education, Educational/Serious Games, Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, Animation and 3D Systems, Videos for Learning)
• E-content Management and Development (Knowledge Management, Digital Libraries and Repositories, ePortfolios)
• Experiences in Education (Educational Trends and Best Practice Contributions, Lifelong Learning, Curriculum Design and Development, Quality Assurance/Standards and Accreditation)
• Pedagogical Innovations in Education (Learning and Teaching Methodologies, Evaluation and Assessment of Student Learning, New Learning/Teaching Models, Language Learning Innovations, Collaborative and Problem-based Learning, Tutoring and Coaching)
• Experiences in Research (Academic Research Projects, Research Methodologies)
• International Projects (New Experiences for the International Cooperation, University Networks, Exchange Programmes and Erasmus Experiences)

My first note is that EduLearn 2010 was very well organized. Everything went smoothly: registration, documentation, information to the participants, coffee breaks, lunches and conference rooms were close to perfection. Even the six parallel sessions’ schedule was almost fulfilled.

There were very interesting talks and discussions. I was more interested on the Technology in Education issues. Here, the most relevant trends, as far I could see, were virtual learning (Second Life and virtual laboratories), collaborative learning, connectivism, evaluation and online assessment, and lectures recording. Lecture recording was one of the strongest topics (I suppose I must start thinking in recording my lectures).

On the downsides, I expected to hear more about the use of Twitter, and other social networks, in Education (try to search, for instance, “edulearn” on twitter and see the results). Maybe I have missed some important talks on these subjects. One of the things that impressed me more was the large number of presenters that read the slides or their notes instead of making a real presentation. I would prefer a little less focus on technology and a little more on the message delivery style. In fifteen minutes that wouldn’t be difficult, I guess.

In short, EduLearn 2010 was a rich, fruitful and very well organized conference. I am willing to participate in EduLearn 2011. See you there.

1. EDGE 2010 Conference – E-Learning: The Horizon and Beyond
2. First International LAMS Conference 2006 and ASCILITE 2006 Conference
3. ECEL 2007: 6th European Conference on e-Learning
4. 2009 Horizon Report Web Edition
5. 2010 Horizon Report Highlights Mobile Computing and Open Content
6. 2007 European LAMS Conference: Designing the Future of Learning

Tagged as: Collaborative-Learning, Conferences, Connectivism, e-Learning, Education, EduLearn, Emerging Technologies, Learning Technologies, Virtual, Web 2.0