Digital, interactive and inclusive?

Posted on 19th August 2014 by David Walker

Digital media and associated technologies afford many new opportunities to enhance and innovate in teaching and similarly to support and enrich student learning.

Used positively, these technologies can facilitate interaction and active engagement (both within the classroom and beyond), and support the development of learner’s reflective and self-regulatory capabilities. Digital media can be a great enabler for inclusive practice but it can also introduce significant challenges, particularly for individuals working within professional contexts.

Exploring these issues and attempting to address some of these challenges is the focus of a free, one day event being hosted at the University of Sussex by the Media Enhanced Learning Special Interest Group (MELSIG) on Tuesday the 9th of September.

What is MELSIG?

Media Enhanced Learning Special Interest Group

MELSIG, established in 2008, is an independent community of educational professionals from across the UK. The group, chaired by Andrew Middleton (Head of Innovation & Professional Development, Sheffield Hallam University), seeks to lead innovation in teaching and learning through the sharing of good practice in the use of digital media and the new and emerging pedagogies they support.

MELSIG run events across the UK though most recent events have taken place in the north of England.

Digital media, interaction and inclusivity

The forthcoming event at Sussex – Digital Media Interaction and Inclusivity – represents a welcome return to the south for MELSIG and a great opportunity for educational professionals from across the region to engage with a dynamic and enthusiastic special interest group. The last MELSIG event, held at Manchester Metropolitan University in April 2014 offers a good insight into the diverse interests of the group with topics exploring:

game-based pedagogy
teaching with social media
augmented reality
mobile devices for learning

A Storify of tweets from the day curated by @sonofedd gives a sense of the energy, collegiality and the extent of the sharing among those who attended.

The Sussex event (#melsigus) promises to be no less exciting, with a range of speakers showcasing innovation from the host institution and the region. Not to be missed is a special ‘App Swap’ workshop led by the University of Brighton’s Fiona MacNeill, founder of the incredibly popular #appswapbreakfast format (to learn more about app swap or create your own app swap session see Fiona’s DIY Build Your Own App Swap Breakfasts guide).

Can you offer a Thunderstorm?

A popular component of the day are the delegate Thunderstorm sessions where participants can put themselves forward to deliver a short 10 minute talk focused around the theme. Please email us at tel@sussex.ac.uk if you are interested in delivering your own Thunderstorm.

The emphasis of the day is however on sharing and networking and exploring how digital media can be used positively to address disadvantage in teaching, learning and disciplinary practice. The University of Sussex is delighted to welcome MELSIG to Sussex and we hope you can join us.

To view the programme, please visit: Digital Media Interaction and Inclusivity

Feedback from: @sonofedd – “My 1st time at #MELSIGMMU – what an absolute feast of ideas & inspiration! Thx for organising this event”