JISC funding FACILITATES 50% REDUCTION ON certified MembersHIP of the Association for Learning Technology
The Association for Learning Technology (http://www.alt.ac.uk) is launching a 50 per cent reduction on certification fees for learning technology practitioners applying to become Certified Members of the Association. The limited offer applies to applications received up to 31 July 2008 and is part-funded by a grant from the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) e-Learning Programme. JISC supports higher and further education by providing strategic guidance, advice and opportunities to use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support research, teaching, learning and administration. JISC is funded by all the UK post-16 and higher education funding councils.
Learning technologists are actively involved in managing, researching, supporting or enabling learning with the use of communication, information and related technologies. Work ranges from digitising art-historical content to using games technology for educational purposes, electronic portfolios, online resources for patient case information for medical students and virtual worlds such as Second Life. It also includes research and development in the learning technology domain.
Any individual working in UK higher or further education (including Adult & Community Learning and Work Based Learning) may apply for the discount.
Seb Schmoller, Chief Executive of ALT, says, “We expect plenty of interest in the special offer for CMALT applicants. Learning technology is playing an increasingly important role in education and training in the UK, and certification is one way for learning technologists to have their experience and capabilities judged by peers, and to demonstrate that they are taking a committed and serious approach to their professional development.”
David Burrows, Director of Public Sector, Strategy and Marketing, Microsoft UK, says, “We recognise the value of schemes like CMALT, with its emphasis on enhancing the professional standing of people whose work involves the effective application of IT in teaching and learning, wherever they are employed.”
STOP PRESS: In a new development, a team working towards CMALT at Salford University has just launched an online group portfolio initiative that offers collaborative and individual spaces for CMALT applicants to reflect on their practice and professional challenges. The system will use a software platform called freefolio, and provide online peer support to help break the ‘circles of isolation’ that learning technologists can experience when working within a single institution.
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Notes to editors:
- For information about ALT, including CMALT, go to http://www.alt.ac.uk/
- 180 CMALT places are available at the discounted rate of £47.50 per individual applicant and waiver on the individual membership fee of £54.00, on a first come, first served basis
- Applying for CMALT involves the creation and peer assessment of a portfolio of evidence against a set of core and specialist areas defined as central to the role of a learning technology professional.
- ALT will be providing support to applicants in the following ways:
a) Information, guidance and documentation concerning CMALT.
b) A series of regional workshops across the UK between April and July to introduce CMALT, allow peer-to-peer discussion and address individual needs.
c) Organisations who have a group of 10 or more staff to put forward may request a bespoke workshop to facilitate discussions regarding eligibility and desirability of CMALT.
d) Peer support to CMALT applicants.
e) The CMALT Certification Manager can be contacted with any individual queries or to talk through portfolio requirements.
About ALT
ALT (the Association for Learning Technology) is a professional and scholarly association which brings together all those with an interest in the use of learning technology. There are over 200 organisational members from higher and further education institutions, private and public sector organisations and over 500 individual members. Sponsoring members include Becta, HEFCE, Microsoft, the Scottish Funding Council, Adobe, and the Learning and Skills Council.
ALT organises a yearly high profile conference – ALT-C, this year the theme for ALT-C will be Rethinking the digital divide. The conference takes place from9-11 September 2008, Leeds, UK. http://www.alt.ac.uk/altc2008/
Association for Learning Technology, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP
Tel: +44 (0)1865 484 125 Fax: +44 (0)1865 484 165 Email:[email protected]
URL: http://www.alt.ac.uk/
ALT is a Registered Charity in the UK, number: 1063519
For media information, please contact:
Catherine Dhanjal, TheAnswer Ltd
Tel: 01883 650434 or 0794 166 9925
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