EDEN 2019 Conference

Description

I attended the 28th EDEN Annual Conference in Bruges, Belgium 16-19 June 2019. The conference was held at the VIVES University of Applied Sciences and the conference theme was Connecting Through Educational Technology.

I attended all the keynotes but as there were several parallel sessions at any one time, I attended what seemed most interesting and relevant to my current work.

My paper Automatic Transcription Software: Good Enough for Accessibility? A Case Study from Built Environment Education was one of the eight finalists for the EDEN 2019 Best Research Paper Award. I presented the paper on 18th June and there was a very good discussion following the presentation. My presentation slides are available on SlideShare.

Evidence

Reflection

The EDEN 2019 Conference is very special to me because I have received recognition from the European Distance and and e-Learning Network for my work. I always work to a high standard but at the same time struggled with imposter syndrome. It was heartening to hear Prof. Alan Tait say that when they critically evaluated each criterion for the selection of the EDEN Best Research Paper Award there could be no other winner. He also said that the methodology was meticulously designed for the project and that they were very happy with how I have conducted it. This award gave me a huge confidence boost.

I listened to Jean Claude Callens’ work on Approaches and Methodologies to Support Critical Reflection, another paper that was shortlisted for the Best Research Paper Award, which was one of my favourite sessions of the conference. His research looked at reflections pre-service teachers have produced using different methods. This PhD research showed that the best critical reflections were produced in structured linear learning journey and the worst was digital non-structured story telling. This was a very interesting piece of work as we are redesigning our modules for 2020 delivery and critical reflection is a key component required in assessment of professional competence (APC) for our surveying apprentices. I have already shared this paper with my colleagues and look forward to discussing ways of implementing reflective practice using digital tools in our new modules.

However, reflecting on the whole conference I think the biggest take-a-way from EDEN 2019 is the great networking experience. For example, I had attended three previous events with Prof. Jennifer Roberts and Prof. Ignatius Gous (Unisa Cambridge Conference in Cape Town, Innovation in Open and Distance Learning Research, Teaching & Learning Symposium in Pretoria and ICDE World Conference 2017 in Toronto) but we only networked at EDEN. I am already booked for an EDEN presentation and have started working on a new project. In todays’ world what is important is not what you know but knowing how to find something and from whom to ask. So, I am really glad to have made so many new connections at EDEN. I am in the process of convincing UCEM of the benefits of becoming an EDEN member failing that I am going to obtain individual membership with EDEN and I look forward to attending EDEN 2020 at Milton Keynes.