International Conference of Movement Dysfunction Blog – Elsevier, MACP, Kinetic Control
Leading up to the International Conference of Movement Dysfunction in November 2009 Webducate became involved in delivering a live blog from the conference. Working to the design of the existing conference website we developed and hosted a complementary blog site which integrated social web 2.0 applications. We then attended the conference and provided the live blogging services with reports published events from the conference in real time including content reports from each keynote and guest lecture.
Key features of this project included:
- Development of the conference blog site to match existing website
- Hosting of the blog site
- Integration of social web 2.0 applications including Twitter
- Live blogging and tweeting service from the conference provided
- Promotion of blog site amongst delegate community
- Management of ongoing discussion between delegates and speakers following the conference
The Casebook – University of Leeds
Seeking to promote the innovative teaching practices undertaken by staff at the University of Leeds, the Staff and Department Development Unit (SDDU) contracted Webducate to develop a searchable database of case studies, called the Casebook.
Developed using PHP and MySQL this web system allows university staff to submit a case study via an on-line form. A secure on-line administration area of the site allows SDDU staff to review, amend and publish submited case studies. The site delivers the portfolio of case studies via a search interface, and incorporates a page side bar which highlights the best, most recent case studies published, a tag cloud and the site generates a customised RSS new feed based on any search result. As with many Web2.0 type systems communication is facilitated by an open commenting facility linked to each case study, the admin system allowing comments to be manually screened before publishing.
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International Staff – University of Leeds
The International Staff website aims to inform and support international academics seeking to work in the UK. Webducate provided technical development, support and advice for this HEFCE project working closely with staff at the University of Leeds. The website is built on a bespoke content management system that facilitates the addition and maintenance of page content and also allows subscribing universities to add supplementary institution specific information.
Embedded within many pages are videos which feature interviews with typical international staff members working within the UK. In these videos they describe the issues they encountered and their experiences of getting established in the UK. To promote communciation and support an on-line forum (phpBB) has been integrated into the website.
I contacted Webducate in 2007 with only a brief concept for a website to benefit non-UK staff working in higher education. From this idea Tony and his team built a complex site with fully-functioning content management system and backup support that is both easy to use and provides valuable and compelling content. The site has attracted very positive feedback from institutions around the UK and users worldwide.
Webducate have really felt like part of the team, yet still provide a very professional service working to tight deadlines to deliver project requests in a very rapid turnaround time. Work is consistent, of high quality and incorporates the up-to-the-minute new technologies available. Tony has always made suggestions on how our site can be improved and works very flexibly to accommodate our requirements. I can highly recommend Webducate and look forward to continuing to work with Tony and his team.
Heather Timm – University of Leeds
View the International Staff website
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Making groupwork work – LearnHigher
Working with the Universities of Leeds, Bradford and Brunel, Webducate provided technical advice and development in this LearnHigher funded project to create an ambitious and extensive set of resources covering the complex issues involved in group working.
At its core this project involved the creation of a set of ten videoed episodes following a group of students through the process of tackling a group assignment. Each episode focusing a different aspect of group behaviour (such as conflict) and exploring approaches that can be taken to deal with such situations.
These videos were then delivered via an interactive flash player developed by Webducate which provides access to supporting learning activities and additional commentaries, video diaries, academic perspectives etc. The completed project is publicised in a supporting website which provides additional information for students and teachers using the materials.
Webducate has worked with me on a number of e-development projects including the Making group-work work project. Most of our communication is via email and they are highly skilled at interpreting requirements from minimal specifications. I am continually impressed by their professionalism, technical skills and their ability to promptly respond to requests (even when stuck in a snow drift in the Alps!).
Carol Elston – Skills@Library University of Leeds
View the LearnHigher Making groupwork work site.
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Blogging for teaching and learning
The final installment of the trilogy on Web 2.0 technologies for teaching looks at blogging and the Elgg system used at the University of Leeds. Once again this site introduces the technology, gives examples of learning and teaching applications, identifies some case studies and offers tips and strategies for your own use.
View the using blogs in learning and teaching site
Paediatric Neurology Module – Sheffield Hallam University
In this project Webdcuate provided consulting, development and support for the first distance delivered module offered by the Faculty of Health and Well Being at Sheffield Hallam University. The project focused on a 30 credit MSc module and involved the development and use of a range of e-learning resources including:
- Multimedia presentations (Articulate)
- Interactive anatomy diagrams (Flash)
- Dragster drag and drop activities
- Wiki based collaborative activities
- Reflective activities that used personal blog journals
The majority of these materials were developed within a tight time frame and the module ran extremely successfully for the first time in Spring 2007.
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Wikis for teaching and learning
The second installment of the Web 2.0 technologies for teaching and learning support sites is now live. This site focuses on wikis and use of the Mediawiki system. Coverage includes:
- issues around using Wikipedia in teaching and learning
- example learning activities involving wikis
- case studies of wiki use
- how to guides on setting up, managing and marking wiki based activities
- and more…
