This lightning talk focuses on the development of an open resource that aims to capture and develop digital practice. Starting from the premise that a Next Generation Digital Learning Environment (NGDLE) should holistically consider all environments that students and practitioners inhabit, the creators set out to build a web application that demonstrates how existing technologies, external to traditional VLEs, are being used to engage students. Inspired by resources such as #1minuteCPD (Manchester Metropolitan University) and incorporating the 3e Framework (Edinburgh Napier University), the project addresses the overwhelming availability of technologies for learning and teaching, curating them in collaboration with educators who have adopted such tools. All code and content is released under a Creative Commons licence and openly published via GitHub to encourage reuse, adoption and collaboration. All technologies featured in the app are free but not necessarily open.
To be an effective microlearning resource, designing it as an embeddable digital artefact has enabled its inclusion in the institutional VLE (Blackboard) and professional development website. Both spaces are targeted as waypoints, visited by practitioners continuing to other online spaces. As a result, it acts as an unobtrusive way for staff to engage with CPD, sharing practical applications of educational technologies alongside scaffolded example activities. The app also categorises each technology, providing users with suggestions (or just-in-time solutions) based on pedagogical themes.
Participants will take away an understanding of how the project is helping to widen digital practice at institutional level and how to remix and implement their own versions.