Online Conference on
Learning and Teaching with Technology
in Art Design and Communication
DeL Online March 2006: faqs
Frequently asked Questions
- Who should take part in the conference?
- Why take part in an online conference?
- How will the conference run?
- What software will I need?
- How long does the conference last?
- How much time should I spend online?
- Why are we charging a delegate fee?
- Can several people share one registration?
- What happens after the conference?
Who should take part in the conference?
Staff in Higher and Further Education who are involved in, or interested in using computers for learning and teaching in art, design and communication. Educationalists from other disciplines who are engaging with the issues of eLearning will also be welcome.
Why take part in an online conference?
Traditional conferences are expensive and time consuming. Delegates in an online conference can access the conference from anywhere at any time during the period of the conference. Delegates are given a password to access the conference and anyone who is registered with access to the Internet can participate.
The conference will use Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment software. Participants log in and read the messages and contributions from other participants and presenters. Many discussions within the conference will be asynchronous, meaning there will be no set time when participants have to log in but others will be conducted in real time with audio, video and graphical media.
The conference site will be open to you in advance of the conference so that you can try out the conference software and view the papers and presentations. These can either be viewed on screen or downloaded.
How will the conference run?
Each keynote presentation will be available during the conference and delegates will be able to take part in discussions of the issues raised in which the presenters will participate. These discussions will either be synchronous in chat rooms or asynchronous in discussion boards.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to submit papers and presentations for inclusion on an area of the site where others can discuss the issues raised.
What software will I need?
You'll need access to the Internet, and a browser to connect to the Blackboard conference site. Some presentations will use software such as Flash or Adobe Acrobat in which case we will provide download links for the players.
How long does the conference last?
The conference will last from Monday 27th to Friday 31st March. The papers and discussion boards can be accessed at any time. To get most value from the conference it's important to log in frequently to read the discussions and to post your contributions.
Naturally, to take part in any chat sessions you have to be online during the advertised programme times.
How much time should I spend online?
At a minimum you should log in at least once a day to read summaries of the discussions but the more time you can afford to spend the greater will be the benefit.
The conference will also be open for reading only for a few weeks after the 31st. March close, to allow you time to review sessions you have missed.
Why are we charging a delegate fee?
Because there are costs which we have to cover - for example, the cost of the development of the website, licensing cost for the software, administrative costs, the expense of publication and salaries for the organisers. Since we haven't solved the problem of online delivery of food and drink there's no catering costs and we don't have to hire rooms but all the other organisational costs apply.
Can several people share one registration?
Each login is for a single delegate not a group. So each person who wants to take part needs to register separately. Anyway you probably don't want others making postings to discussion boards in your name.
What happens after the conference?
The papers, presentations and discussions will remain on the site accessible to delegates for at least one month. We will be publishing the proceedings with an ISBN number and distributing it to delegates and relevant institutions.
Enquiries
If you cannot find your question here then contact:
Robin Shaw
cltad
University of the Arts
65 Davies Street
London
W1K 5DA
England
Tel: +44 207 514 8052
Fax: +44 207 514 8050
Email: r.shaw@arts.ac.uk
