13.04.06
Convention Explores Education in the Internet Era

University and college lecturers from across the country flocked to the Tremough campus in Penryn last week for a groundbreaking convention on the mixture of Internet and face-to-face tuition, known as Blended Learning, which is playing an increasingly important part in the delivery of university level education. The event was staged by the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) with sponsorship from the University of Plymouth Colleges, Cornwall College, Truro College and the Higher Education Learning Partnerships Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

Over 170 delegates heard keynote speeches and attended workshops on podcasting, virtual learning environments, interactive DVDs and many other aspects of university education in the digital age. The aim of the day, titled 'Blended Learning: Integration and Innovation', was to provide academics from the CUC partner universities and colleges with opportunities to hear from leading figures in the field, and to encourage them to network and share their experiences with colleagues from across the United Kingdom.

The idea for the conference came from a discussion between Ali Press, E-learning Champion from Cornwall College and Vivienne Neale, an Education Lecturer from Truro College (both Colleges are partners in the CUC). Vivienne explained: "We wanted to devise an event which would provide both hands-on workshops and advice on technological issues that often plague us. We wanted to explore things we needed to do to reinvent current practice and make learning more relevant for the 'digital natives' coming through the system."

Ali commented: "With the growing demand for more accessible university courses, this conference sent a clear message that Cornwall is leading the way in learning. The event provided a great opportunity for experts to share best practice and discuss the growing use of technology in educational settings."

For further information please contact David Kirk of the CUC PR and communications office on 01326 370471 or email: david.kirk@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in CUC, both Phase 1 and Phase 2 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

Phase 1 of the CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Phase 2 of the CUC initiative is being invested in by the Objective One programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Department for Education and Skills, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and the South West Regional Development Agency. The CUC is the flagship project of the Objective One programme.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top