conference

The Conference

Academics, researchers, practitioners gather every year at the EDEN Annual conferences to discuss the latest developments of e-learning, open and distance education. These have been increasingly important fields of intellectual excitement and innovative development. The challenges posed by the new technologies are permanent, and students constantly keep teachers under pressure to develop. In Europe, despite economic and social pressures, there is a collective drive towards realising the creative potential. Learning is becoming more and more individualized and self-managed. Personalization helps foster engagement and supports awareness and motivation. The 2013 EDEN Annual Conference thus explores themes such as “Engaging and challenging learners” „Enhanced learning experience by participation and collaboration” or „Joy, Fun and ICTs”.

Call for Papers

The Call for Contribution launched recently invites full paper proposals for presentations in parallel sessions, poster submissions for short poster sessions as well as interactive, often with webinar combined workshops and short demonstrations that relate to the conference themes. The Conference Committee double peer reviews submissions and upon acceptance, paper submissions are published in the electronic Conference Proceedings and Book of Abstracts. The Best Research Paper title is awarded after the selection process takes place in collaboration with the Ulrich Bernath Foundation for Research in Open and
Distance Learning, with the support of a distinguished Jury. All full papers accepted for the conference quality automatically for the selection. The Award Ceremony takes place at the Conference Dinner.

The conference will be intensively supported and accompanied by social networking, sharing, online and virtual presence and involvement possibilities.

Hosted by...

Norway is a world leading country in openness, digitisation and modernisation of education. The University of Oslo is a top higher education institution in the country and

will ensure a stimulating environment, making the conference experience unique. Oslo has a special combination of city life and easy access to the great outdoors, the Oslo fjord and the forests. You may enjoy the view on the roof of the new Opera House, the new Ski Jump Holmenkollen, the old Vigelandparken Sculpture Park with 212 wonderful sculptures, the world's two best-preserved Viking ships from the 9th century and also the polar ships in Bygdøy. Or you may pay a visit to the Munch Museum and the Nobel Peace Center where all Nobel Peace Prize laureates throughout the years are presented on digital screens. Oslo is sometimes referred to as a most expensive city and this is true in for certain categories of services and goods. The average conference traveller however may be able to find reasonable solutions and there are still ways to enjoy the city without maxing out your credit card.

The partnership of the Norwegian Association for Distance and Flexible Education guarantees the smart involvement of the national distance and e-learning community and effective liaison with the Nordic stakeholders.

About EDEN

Established in 1991 as an international educational association and not-for-profit organisation, EDEN is open to institutions and individuals dealing with e-learning, and – more broadly speaking – open and distance education. It’s aim is to share knowledge and improve understanding amongst professionals in the field and to promote policy and practice across the whole of Europe and beyond. With more than 200 institutional members and over 1200 members in the Network of Academics and Professionals (NAP), EDEN assists a wide range of institutions, networks and individuals to become involved in professional information and networking activities. It does so through the organisation of acknowledged European conferences, its publications and information services, and by taking an active role in a wide range of important EU projects. EDEN has also proved successful with thematic activities such as the Open Classroom Working Group (school level distance education), and by contributing to, and promoting, ‘cutting edge’ research in the field. In addition, EDEN has also provided extensive secretarial support to the European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning (EURODL).

“Video is a powerful and increasingly prevalent learning tool,” says international media executive Adam Salkeld, who is curating VIDEO EDUCA. “Generation Z’s learners are typically highly sophisticated consumers of video as well as native video makers. Educators need to respond to this major shift in the way media content is used and perceived by current generations to ensure effectiveness.” 

OEB 2012’s programme is now online and features a series of expert-led video sessions grouped under the name VIDEO EDUCA. The VIDEO EDUCA sessions will focus on all aspects of using video in learning, ranging from the practical production process to learning practitioners’ experiences. In the opening plenary session, the award-winning documentary maker Michael Grigsby will deliver a keynote speech on the role of video in education. As well as making nearly 30 acclaimed films, Grigsby co-founded the Abingdon Film Unit, which works with secondary school pupils to create short documentaries and animated films.

Participants will have the unique opportunity to have their own videos critiqued by industry experts such as Steve Anderson, Executive Producer of BBC’s Question Time, in the pre-conference Video Masterclass. Taking place on Wednesday 28^th November, the Video Masterclass will provide participants with a detailed overview of using video to communicate learning, as well as insider knowledge of the production process. From script to screen, the Masterclass will cover the key areas of filmmaking and ensure that all participants leave with the tools and techniques to make video a successful component of learning resources, whatever the budget.

Additional expert speakers and session leaders include Rebekah Tolley, an award-winning film-maker and educator who has produced educational resources for the United Nations, the BBC and Channel 4; and Martin Addison, CEO of Video Arts, the company founded by John Cleese. Video Arts remains one of the world’s leading video training companies and has changed the face of corporate training across the globe.

OEB 2012’s programme features over 400 speakers from more than 40 countries and provides an abundance of networking opportunities, as well as an extensive exhibition area with over 90 exhibitors. For more information, please visit www.online-educa.com.

Overview of the important dates:

• Paper submission deadline: July 10, 2012  August 10, 2012 

• Notification of acceptance: August 20, 2012

• Deadline for author registration: September 7, 2012

• Camera-Ready copy due: September 7, 2012

• Deadline for visitor registration: September 20, 2012

• Conference program: October 23, 2012

Access the Conference Paper Template on the conference home page.