Research – Page 38 – Digital Learning Dispatches

Digital Learning Research Network

In May, almost 40 DCU and linked College staff met to hear about the work of the new Digital Learning Research Network. The Research Network is an important part of the NIDL’s strategic plan and following a distributed model of leadership it aims to harness and develop within DCU, and beyond, some of the expertise that already exists in the area of digital learning. A range of forthcoming initiatives was described and after the meeting a small steering group was formed to guide future initiatives.

The Research Network will have valuable linkages with similar centres around the world and members of an International Advisory Board will be announced shortly. Already Professor Grainne Conole has been formally appointed as an Adjunct Professor to the NIDL.

Publications, Research

Opening up to Open Source

Eamon Costello, staff member is the National Institute for Digital Learning, has just had an interesting article on the adoption of Moodle, entitled “Opening Up to Open Source”, published in Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning (28, 3). The full abstract of the paper appears below…

Abstract

The virtual learning environment (VLE) has grown to become a piece of complex infrastructure that is now deemed critical to higher educational provision. This paper looks at Moodle and its adoption in higher education. Moodle’s origins, as an open source VLE, are investigated and its growth examined in the context of how higher educational institutions adopt VLEs.