All Change

After several years of blogging with Blogger I have decided to move over to WordPress on my own domain.

Those of you who read this blog via the RSS feed do not need to do anything. I will redirect the RSS in a moment.

If you are reading this actually on the site then please go to cooper-taylor.com/blog/ from now on.

Thanks for reading and/or stopping by.

Problem solvers only need apply

Now here's an interesting post from the Google blog. Google like many companies want to hire people who think outside the box. Don't just come up with the usual answers to problems but come up with more useful answers.

Here's an example about designing Google's spell-checker:
"The routine solution would be to run queries through a dictionary. The non-routine, creative solution is to use the query corrections and refinements that other users have made in the past to offer spelling suggestions for new queries. This approach enables us to correct all the words that aren't in the dictionary, helping many more users in the process." (My emphasis)

In my own experience (as someone who spent many hours as a primary school student trying and failing at spelling tests) it also helps those of us who are spelling challenged. I love the "Did you mean ..." suggestions. The idea of a spell checker learning from what others have typed in to correct their own spelling/typo mistakes is just wonderful. Now why can't my word processor (by you know who) learn that way too?

Official Google Blog: Our Googley advice to students: Major in learning

New Research Reveals Variations in Plagiarism Practice

The results of the second phase of the Academic Misconduct Benchmarking Research Project (AMBeR) show that while HEIs vary in their application of plagiarism policies, there are ‘clusters of consensus’ within groups of universities.

The research, the first of its kind in the UK, was conducted by the Academy JISC Academic Integrity Service (AJAIS), and aims to benchmark current policy and practice in UK higher education with regard to the methods used to manage student plagiarism.
While all universities were found to manage the issue of student plagiarism on an individual basis, the research showed the most common ways of dealing with the issue were the resubmission of assessments, where the resulting mark would be capped and a formal warning given. Over 50 per cent of the recorded instances of plagiarism were dealt with in one of these ways.

The incidence level of formally recorded cases reported in the survey, released this week by the Higher Education Academy, demonstrates a lower level of plagiarism than that normally reported. The survey also indicates that the vast majority of offences are first offences which suggests that current measures are successfully reducing repeat offenders.

The first phase of the AMBER (Academic Misconduct Benchmarking Research project) report released in 2007 supported the view put forward by Baroness Deech of the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) that research into penalties for plagiarism was needed in order to take a step closer to greater consistency within the sector. The new research will, it is hoped, help institutions to look at their existing procedures with a view to bringing about a greater consensus within the sector.
AMBeR report (PDF)

For further information please visit the JISC iPAS website

"i dont mean too bother u but": Student Email and a Call for Netiquette

I've just read this great article By Denise D. Knight and Noralyn Masselink, State University of New York College at Cortland in the eLearn Magazine.

Wonderful examples of students' inappropriate email to their professors, from simply ungrammatical to petulant to downright abusive. I'm sure all readers will recognise similar emails they have received over the years.

The article ends with a set of guidelines. Very useful to outline with students at the beginning of semester.

Technorati Tags: students,email,professors,netiquette

ASIMO conducts Detroit Symphony Orchestra

ASIMO the Honda Motor Company designed robot, recently conducted the Detroit Symphony and did a great job.

I don't think the resident conductor has anything to worry about, but it was impressive non the less.

See for yourself...

Technorati Tags: ASIMO,Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Global Six recognises Derek Wenmoth

I am pleased to be able to report that Derek Wenmoth, a long standing member of DEANZ, has been designated one of this year's "Global Six" by the George Lucas Educational Foundation's Edutopia, who, each year, select twelve US and six global educators who they consider are making a difference in education.

I am sure everyone feels like me that this is well deserved.

DEANZ Award 2008

The biennial DEANZ Award recognises excellence in e-learning, distance, open and flexible learning. The DEANZ Award is open to individuals or groups in New Zealand, or New Zealand citizens living overseas, who have completed a project that meets the criteria of the Award.

Awards are given for projects that
• advance understanding of best practice in e-learning, distance, open and flexible learning in New Zealand;
• are original or innovative in concept or application;
• are relevant to and whose outcomes are useful to the e-learning, distance, open and flexible-learning community.

In 2008, The DEANZ Award will be made at the DEANZ conference in Wellington from 18-20 August, 2008. All applicants should show how projects submitted relate to the conference theme. The deadline for submission of projects in 2008 is 30 June, 2008.

Applications for the DEANZ Award should be made using the official form which is available both from the DEANZ administrator office and the DEANZ website.

Different Approach

I just started getting Jessica Hagy's feed. For those who love visual rather than textual, you will love this blog.

Here is a taster:

Step Away from the big, red button.

Go Jessica I love it!

Cover It Live

Now here's one to try at your next conference. Cover It Live is a free live blogging tool that enables you to stream live blogging to your blog and receive questions and comments from readers.

I have just got to try this one at the DEANZ 2008 conference in Wellington.

Thanks to iLibrarian for the info.

KiwiEdubloggers

I've just set up a wiki "KiwiEdubloggers", a la mode of AustralianEdubloggers.

Basically it's a directory of New Zealand Edubloggers to list all known Kiwi educators who have blogs and/or podcasts. You can either be a Kiwi edublogger living abroad or an edublogger living in New Zealand.

So if you fit the criteria please go to the wiki and add yourself.

Technorati Tags: wiki,edubloggers,kiwi,new zealand