(Re)Presenting Community 2007

VC's Welcome

The University of Southern Queensland in Australia has initiated this conference and is joined by Stirling University in Scotland and Massey University in New Zealand in presenting it. This conference brings together a number of people who have had considerable experience in using information and communication technologies in educational and community settings. Their experience has led them to think innovatively about the ways in which we might open up the potential that information and communication technologies offer learning communities in a range of settings.

Knowledge and learning exist as by-products of social processes that take place in communities of practice. Such ideas are not new or recently conceived. With much of what is known about such communities derived from communities that are geographically and socially defined.

As well as learning communities that are ‘location-based’ there has been significant growth in accessing learning through participation in ‘communities of common purpose’ that are supported by information and communication technologies. ICT has facilitated the emergence and rapid growth of learning communities whose members interact from remote corners of the globe.

The aim of this conference is to investigate theories and practices that might provide us with frameworks and understandings of online knowledge communities or online communities of practice that enhance collective knowledge.

Who should ‘participate’?

• Education/training/learning providers in universities, further education institutions and schools
• Research bodies (NVCER, DEST, ACER)
• Community development workers
• Community Economic Development workers (social/cultural/environment planners)
• Declared learning communities ( Springfield, PASCAL)
• State /Federal Government( Education, Communication and Technology, Youth, Arts, Family)
• Community Service Groups(Youth, Indigenous, Disadvantaged, Ethnic)

Program

On behalf of the 2007 Conference Steering Committee we would like to invite you, your networks and associates to join us in a Virtual Conference, "totally online", sponsored by the University of Southern Queensland to celebrate its 40th Year as a tertiary institution in Australia.

The theme for the conference sits comfortably with USQ as it has been involved in open and distance learning since 1986. The timing for this conference represents a watershed in open and distance learning as online providers and online learning communities endeavour to capitalise on the potential of using emerging technologies for different concepts of learning in the future.

In addition to the Keynote speakers, other Contributors are encouraged to submit an abstract and content for inclusion in the 2007 Conference Program. Keynotes and Contributors will receive the "rpc2007 Selected Paper logo" signifying their contribution to this truly collaborative event. It is the intention of the University that a (Re)Presenting Community 2007 Conference Paper will be published at the conclusion of the conference.

A number of Forums or Topics will be created to facilitate and stimulate discussions and encourage contributions. Refer to the Submission Guidelines for information on how content might be arranged. Or simply post a comment related to the Forum or Topic of interest.

Registration is Free and your participation is most welcome and encouraged.

We hope to build a vibrant community as a byproduct of the community, engaging and connecting educators worldwide.