EDNA

'Rapidly changing' is the term most often used these days to describe the landscape of scholarly communication. Scholars have to clear new and higher hurdles as they bump up against copyright and fair-use issues, open-access mandates, and a baffling array of publication and dissemination models. The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 2008

Virtual learning environments and science experiments conducted through web browsers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Australia's first centre of leadership in educational innovation at UQ. The University of Queensland's new Centre for Educational Innovation and Technology (CEIT) opens on 20 November, positioning UQ at the forefront of research into teaching and learning technologies to be disseminated to universities around the world. UQ News, 20 November 2008

A common pursuit of higher education in areas ranging from interfaith dialogue to policing leadership and environmental sustainability will see closer ties between Australia's Charles Sturt University (CSU) and a leading Korean institution. The Vice-Chancellor and President of South Korea's Dongguk University, Young Kyo Oh, will visit CSU in Sydney on Wednesday 19 November. CSU News, 18 November 2008

Broadband speeds several hundred times faster than regular broadband connections will be reached at The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus on Thursday, November 20. The speeds will be reached as the Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation participates in the Super Computing 08 conference - specifically in the Broadband Challenge - run out of Texas, USA. UQ News, 17 November 2008

With social scientists increasingly using the internet for research and observation, new methodological guidelines need to be developed according to Emma Beddows from Swinburne University of Technology. Writing in the latest edition of Swinburne's International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Society, Beddows examines some of the unique issues associated with internet-based research, and calls for renewed guidelines to address these concerns. Swinburne University, 17 November 2008

In order for us to better understand the needs of the research community, the DCC project team kindly request that you fill out this questionnaire, which may reach you via other members of the Alliance. It will take you about 20 minutes. The research community as a whole will benefit from your cooperation!

Universities in Japan and Canada unveiled courses by cellphone last year, and now, in the midst of National Distance Learning Week, the United States has, too. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System announced yesterday the creation of LCTCSOnline, a new program built in collaboration with AT&T and Pearson Custom Solutions, a branch of the publishing and education company

In an Australian-first agreement with a US law school, Monash University's Faculty of Law has established a dual degree program with Washington College of Law WCL, part of Washington's American University. The international dual degree program offered between Monash and WCL enables Monash Law students studying the Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) to complete their degree at Washington College of Law in Washington DC, obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from both law schools. Monash University News, 11 November 2008

The IMS Global Learning Consortium recently held a series of discussions with industry leaders and administrators about current and future trends in digital learning. A number of issues were discussed, but out of those conversations, a few common themes emerged. Listed below are seven of those trends. We invite you to join in the conversation and share with us your thoughts on these and other elements worthy of consideration. IMS News, 10 November 2008

The SPARKY Awards challenges you to illustrate in a short video presentation what you see as the value of sharing information. Use your imagination to suggest what good comes from bringing down barriers to the free exchange of information. Submissions by 30 November 2008.

The book, which provides an overview of current research and development activity in the area of learning designs in terms of teaching perspective and technological advances, was officially launched at UOW on 11 November. UOW News, 12 November 2008

A new publication launched by Universities UK outlines how quality and standards are assessed and assured within UK universities. The guide sets out in detail the role of all those involved, including the universities themselves, external examiners, the independent Quality Assurance Agency, the funding councils, professional and regulatory bodies, employers and students. It also describes how all parts of the system work together to improve the quality of UK higher education. Universities UK Media release, 6 November 2008

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has released the final report from a study that ARL commissioned Ithaka to conduct, Current Models of Digital Scholarly Communication, by Nancy L. Maron and K. Kirby Smith, along with the database of exemplars that the study produced. ARL Press release, 10 November 2008

The computer technology responsible for lifelike characters in video games and memorable film creatures, such as Gollum in Lord of the Rings and Mumble the tap dancing penguin star of Happy Feet, offers choreographers a way to fine tune movement in previously unimagined detail. An Australian Research Council Discovery Grant for a project led by Dr Kim Vincs, senior lecturer in dance at Deakin University, will help Australian dance companies use Motion Capture in ways that enhance their creativity and ensure they have access to technology that can take their artistry to new levels. Deakin News, 5 November 2008

For the first time universities will be required to meet national benchmarks relating to access to student support services and fulfil new representation and advocacy protocols. The new national access to services benchmarks and representation protocols will be a requirement of Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding from 2010. The Government will consult with students and the university sector on the development of these benchmarks and protocols to ensure basic services and representation on campus are secured for the long term. ALP Media release, 3 November 2008

The Australian Communications and Media Authority released a new online resource that brings together information, research and activities about digital media literacy. 'As digital media and services become an important prerequisite to effective participation in the digital economy and Australian society more generally, people need to be media literate,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ACMA Media release, 30 October 2008

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, announced grants totalling $0.77 million to assist 117 of Australia's leading scientists to undertake important collaborative research. The recipients, from a variety of disciplines, were selected by the Australian Academy of Science to work with partners in North America, Europe and Asia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Media release, 5 November 2008

Creating a new approach to national Indigenous governance will be crucial for closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, the editors of a new book will argue in Canberra on Monday. Contested Governance: Culture, power and institutions in Indigenous Australia, makes the case that resolving the tensions between western and Indigenous approaches to governance is an essential foundation for social and economic improvements for first Australians. ANU Media release, 7 November 2008

Ratner and Junee co-founded the Silicon Valley start-up Omnisio with fellow Australian Julian Frumar at the beginning of 2008 and sold the company in July to the Google-owned YouTube. Omnisio developed innovative technology that enables users to mix online videos and add comments. The University of Sydney News, 5 November 2008

Following the establishment of the Forum for International Network in Education (FINE), it is now possible for interested doctoral students in education to share their details through the recently launched FINE Database and to communicate through the FINE Forum. Both initiatives are intended to promote communication. At the recent FINE meeting in New York, communication emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing doctoral students. U21 provides an opportunity for doctoral students to be part of a larger community. At this meeting, it was proposed that both a U21 FINE database and a U21 FINE online forum be established. Both are now in place!