The UK is a world leader in the development of a knowledge-based society. In global rankings which include e-readiness as a measure of economic attractiveness and efficiency, the UK ranked number 2 out of a study of sixty-four countries, out-performing all the other major European countries and the United States (Economist Intelligence Unit e-readiness rankings 2004). The UK is at the forefront in implementing European Union policy on life-long learning and the Lisbon declaration, aimed at making Europe the most competitive knowledge-based area in the world.
This international seminar examines ways in which the development and use of technology encourages and enables the creation and use of large scale virtual learning communities. These communities provide the underpinning necessary for successful mass engagement in, and effective development of, the knowledge-based economy.
The purpose of the seminar is to explore the role that virtual learning plays in a country’s development of an effective knowledge economy. The main topics for discussion include:
- national government strategies for e-learning
- creating new virtual learning communities
- achieving organisational change
- pedagogy of e-learning
- technology developments and issues
- staff development and capacity building
- what the learner thinks, needs and wants
- quality assuring virtual learning
Participants have an opportunity to learn about changes in the higher education sector, including the growth of public/private partnerships and the use of new technologies; the accelerating growth of corporate universities in the private sector and virtual learning initiatives in public sector organisations and trade unions; and large-scale government-backed initiatives to provide life-long learning through e-learning such as Learndirect in the UK.
The seminar combines keynote presentations from UK specialists with opportunities for dialogue between participants and contributors to foster the exchange of practice and experience. It also provides hands-on experience of virtual learning though visits to local institutions and organisations.
This seminar is aimed at Ministers of Education, Labour and Human Resources; senior policy makers in ministries and national agencies; school, college and university leaders; and senior academics working in the field of virtual learning.
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