Event details:

Jointly with the E-Learning Network, ALT ran a free 90 minute lunchtime webinar: The Science of Learning.

The purpose of this webinar was to explore what we really know about how people learn. What can we conclude from decades of research into learning psychology and through more recent discoveries in neuroscience? What are the implications of what we now know? What is solid and dependable and what is mere 'pop psychology'? Donald Clark and Richard Cox shared their own views on this controversial topic and provided attendees with the opportunity to join the debate.

Presenter biographies:

Dr Richard Cox has a background in cognitive science, AI and education. He co-founded the Representation and Cognition Research Group at Sussex and has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal papers and book chapters, and over 60 refereed conference papers. His research areas include technology-enhanced learning and reasoning with external representations (e.g. diagrams).

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, Dr Cox lead the team that developed PATSy (www.patsy.ac.uk), an online multimedia interactive database of 'virtual' patient cases for students and researchers in the clinical sciences. Currently, PATSy is in regular use by more than 20 UK institutions and by several overseas institutions.

Dr Cox also recently directed a major consortium project entitled 'Vicarious learning and case-based teaching of clinical reasoning skills' which was funded under the ESRC's Teaching and Learning Research Programme (TLRP). The TRLP has now become the Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) Programme and Dr Cox serves as a member of its Advisory Board. He also coordinates a TEL Thematic Group on technology-enhanced research methods.

Donald Clark was CEO and one of the original founders of Epic Group plc, which established itself as the leading company in the UK e-learning market, floated on the Stock Market in 1996 and sold in 2005. Describing himself as 'free from the tyranny of employment', he is now a board member of Ufi (learndirect), LINE Communications, Caspian Learning, Brighton Festival, and a school governor. He has produced over 40 papers, dozens of book reviews and many articles on e-learning.

Donald has also won many awards for the design and implementation of e-learning, notably the 'Outstanding Achievement in e-learning Award'. He is a regular speaker at national and international conferences and has won Best Speaker awards at several conferences He is also a regular and controversial blogger on e-learning - see his 'Plan B'.

Missed this event?

Watch the recording of this webinar and download Richard and Donald's presentations for free via ALT's Open Access Repository.

_{*ALT/eLN webinars are free to all eLN and ALT members. If you are a non eLN/ALT member your participation is welcomed, together with your consideration to join either or both organisations as a member.}