MicroSCoPE: October, 2005 Issue

MicroSCoPE: October, 2005 Issue

by Sylvia Currie -
Number of replies: 0
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MicroSCoPE: A Close Look at What's Happening in the SCoPE Community
October, 2005
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In This Issue
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1. Welcome Message
2. Mark Your Calendars
3. New SIGs
4. Conversation Pieces
5. Vote for the SCoPE Logo
6. KnowTIPS Conference
7. Advisory Committee
8. About SCoPE
9. About MicroSCoPE

1. Welcome Message
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Welcome to SCoPE and the first issue of MicroSCoPE! From the minute SCoPE was up and running on a production server 8 weeks ago, we opened the doors, people wandered in, and together we began testing and designing. The front page of SCoPE displays this message: "We are still organizing the community site, so expect surprises". We plan to change this to "We are *always* organizing the community site, so expect surprises!" A vibrant community is always evolving and responding to needs as they emerge. We are only just beginning to get the word out, but already SCoPE is a direct response to members' feedback generated through participation. We look forward to your future involvement in shaping our community environment and activities!

2. Mark Your Calendars
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* Enhancing Online Communication: October 17-30, 2005
Facilitator: Cindy Xin
How can we improve the way we communicate online and organize our collective ideas? What is lacking in the discussion tools we use? This 2-week seminar is an opportunity to address these and other questions while exploring the effectiveness of Web Annotation, a tool that is currently under development and integrated into the Moodle forum.
...more <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=149>

* The Role of the Instructional Designer: October 31-November 13, 2005
Facilitator: Vivian Neal
What models and strategies guide instructional design processes? What is an ideal work environment for an instructional designer? This seminar is intended for instructional designers and for anyone who is curious how instructional designers go about their work.
...more <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?id=146>

* Vancouver Rendezvous: October 28, 2005
CPSquare and SCoPE are working together to organize a Vancouver Rendezvous, a gathering of individuals involved in cultivating learning communities and communities of practice. We plan to have an informal afternoon of conversation about what we are doing, what we would like to do, what we have done well... This just may lead to a visit to the pub...dinner...well, you get the picture. We hope you'll join us!
... more <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?id=139>

* Check the SCoPE calendar for a full list of events that will be of interest to members. <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/calendar/view.php?view=upcoming>

3. New SIGs
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At SCoPE we are happy to set up Special Interest Groups (SIG) for groups that would like a space for ongoing communication and sharing of resources. We currently have 2 SIGS: Community Enthusiasts, a public space for anyone interested in cultivating and sustaining online communities, and the Faculty of Health Sciences, a private space for members of that faculty at Simon Fraser University.

Would you like to request your own SIG related to education research and practice? Contact Sylvia Currie <scurrie@sfu.ca>.

4. Conversation Pieces
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Conversation Pieces are transcripts of conversations with people who are doing interesting things. We have organized several "conversations" with people who have amazing stories to tell. These will be featured in SCoPE in the coming weeks. If you think your or somebody else's story would make a good conversation piece, please contact me! Sylvia Currie <scurrie@sfu.ca>.

5. Vote for the SCoPE Logo
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The voting booth is still open! Coose your favourite logo for our SCoPE community! <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/choice/view.php?id=133>
If you have suggestions for alternatives or variations on these designs, please comment in the SCoPE Suggestion Box. <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?id=131>

6. KnowTIPS Conference
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SCoPE is an organizing partner of the second annual KnowTIPS online conference scheduled for February 22-26, 2006. The conference is designed to engage participants in discussions about the practical aspects of working online in any setting. In addition to convincing the outstanding discussion leaders from the first annual KnowTIPS conference that they should return for an encore, we are also searching for new presenters and volunteers to help organize the conference.
..more <http://knowtips.ca>

7. Advisory Committee
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An advisory committee was established early on in the planning stages of SCoPE to help define our purpose and directions. We are very grateful for contributions and support of the committee:

Bill Wedley
Roger Blackman
Andrew Feenberg
Ron Marteniuk
Jo-Anne Heinze
Paul Stacey
Elizabeth Wallace
Sylvia Currie

8. About SCoPE
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SCoPE, supported by the Learning and Instructional Development Centre at Simon Fraser University, brings together individuals who share an interest in education research and practice, and offers opportunities for dialogue across disciplines, geographical borders, professions, levels of expertise, and education sectors. We organize seminars, events, and ways for practitioners to connect. Membership is free and open to the public.

Self-register at <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca>

9. About MicroSCoPE
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SCoPE members receive MicroSCoPE issues automatically. If you prefer to read MicroSCoPE on the website or via RSS, manage your subscription here <http://scope.lidc.sfu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?f=5>.

MicroSCoPE is prepared by Sylvia Currie, Community Coordinator <scurrie@sfu.ca>.

Please spread the word about SCoPE. Distribute this newsletter!