1. Is there an iTopia? Is there an iTopia of Learning? Where is it? How do we get there?

2. The journey “Students today depend on paper too much. They don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. They can’t clean a slate properly. What will they do when they run out of paper?” (Principal’s Publication, 1815) “Students today depend too much on ink. They don’t know how to use a knife to sharpen a pencil. Pen and ink will never replace the pencil.” (Journal of the National Association of Teachers, 1907) “Students today depend on store bought ink. They don’t know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education.” (Rural American Teacher, 1928) “Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will never allow such expensive luxuries.” (Federal Teachers, 1950)

3. From Slate to Pad Students don’t know how to write on a slate without getting chalk dust all over themselves. What will they do when they run out of paper?

4. After the BIG question “The Meaning of Life, the Universe and Everything” which we know the answer – the next big question is “Is there and iTopia space for student learning?”

5. Where is the space? Where is the space?

6. Our Journey… So in the distant sands of time we set off to find this place…if it exists

7. The Chasm of Lost Acronyms CBI (Computer Based Instruction) VLE (Virtual Learning Environments) SLN (Social Learning Network) LCMS (Learning Content Management Systems) CMS (Course Management Systems) CMS (Content Management Systems) LMS (Learning Management Systems) ILS (Integrated Learning Systems) iTopia This Way CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) CBT (Computer Based Training)

8. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

9. WebCT Before search for Social/Ubuntu OK for Content Delivery & Course Management Mt. Institutionus Non Uni people access Wasn’t good at collaborative docs

10. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

11. OLS Mt. Institutionus Focus on Learning Designed for Social Constructivst Integrated to UKZN Good document handling Lacked strong social/community aspect No powerful collaboration

12. Our VLE Journey to iTopia éducation sans frontières WebCT – 2002-2003 OLS – 2003-2007 Elgg – (2008) CLOUDe Valley Ravines of Technicality Mt. Institutionus

14. Investigated Brighton

15. Good Social Networking

16. Institutional Lock Out

17. Self Managed Servers

20. Good Social, Community

21. Control nice – any time, place

22. Access from anywhere

23. Fun interesting interface, functionality

26. Open source

27. Used portfolio approach

28. Nice educational approach

29. Confused students with this approach

30. Not easy use

31. No community/fun experience

32. Limited plugins

33. Had to keep tech up to date (new versions)

36. Bland – no real community feel

37. No stamping own personality

38. Layout restrictive

39. Plugins limited

42. Cloud based

43. Free

44. Lots of collaborative tools

45. Control over everything including ads

46. Files based on tagging

47. Fairly good with individual pages

50. Even more plugins

51. File system still clunky

52. Lots of freedom for creation of identity

53. Can choose own skins etc

54. The best embedded chat (others didn’t have or didn’t work well)

55. Nearly 1000 blog posts in 10 weeks

71. Authentic Learning Spaces = Blend of Social & Learning Content

73. Lessons 2.0 Digital campfire What have learnt? Where is iTopia? What does it look like? Can we get there?

74. Lessons 2.0 Ubun2.0 Learning Happening Be prepared to work in a “Building Zone”

75. Cracking the Code

76. Beyond University 1.0

77. Join the Journey