LAMS V2 Beta Launch and Workshop

The Learning Activity Management System (LAMS) is a new generation of e-learning technology for designing, managing and delivering online collaborative learning activities (also called "learning designs"). LAMS provides educators with an intuitive visual authoring environment for creating and sharing sequences of learning activities. These activities can include a range of individual tasks, small group work and whole class activities based on both content and collaboration. LAMS has been used in universities, further education and schools for several years, leading to a number of positive evaluations (eg, JISC and BECTA reports). LAMS is freely available as open source software.

Following almost two years of redevelopment, the LAMS Foundation is pleased to announce the beta release of LAMS V2. The beta release demonstrates a wide range of new features, as well as significant improvements in architecture, scalability and robustness. While not yet recommended for live use with students, the beta release is ready for evaluation and feedback from educators. The production release of LAMS V2 is planned for October, 2006, and will incorporate feedback from the beta release where possible.

The London Knowledge Lab is pleased to host the LAMS Version 2 Beta Release and accompanying workshop. This workshop follows on from an earlier LAMS presentation in February 2006. The workshop will be led by Professor James Dalziel, Leader of the LAMS initiative and Director of the Macquarie E-Learning Centre Of Excellence (MELCOE) at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. The workshop will also include a presentation about the technical requirements for building a LAMS tool by Alex Little of the Open University, a presentation about LAMS V2 and games and simulation making by Ken Kahn and a discussion of an approach to pedagogic planning using LAMS by Professor Diana Laurillard.

Cost: There is no cost for this workshop

Registration: Spaces are limited to please email Renee Vance

Program:

10am - Coffee and Registration

10:30am - Welcome and Introduction by Professor Diana Laurillard

10:40am LAMS V2 Beta Release by Professor James Dalziel

• Launch of beta release
• Background to redevelopment
• Goals for V2
• Overview of new features
• Overview of architecture
• Live Demonstration
• Future directions

11:40am - Discussion

12noon Using the LAMS V2 "Tools Contract" to build new activity tools by Alex Little, Open University

12:20 LAMS and a pedagogic planning tool by Professor Diana Laurillard and Professor James Dalziel

12:35 LAMS V2 and games and simulation making by Ken Kahn

12:50 Discussion

1pm Close and Lunch