And then there was Paris

[liz lennon]

I've been looking at the different open source (OS) learning management systems (LMS) - or - virtual learning environments (it seems different countries use different names) for the SKIL2 platform.

(Note to self - develop a list of all these new acronyms.)

Basically, the platform will be the base upon which I can haul in all the social media and learning technology into one place online.

I want to create a kind of social media cloud that will allow my workplace learner to capture + share + collaborate all sorts of information on learning topics of their choice.

So - they can look at videos (and create them), slides (and create them), blogs (and ...), general sites. They can do their own searches and have the results in either linear or visual mapping form. They can create learning teams and communities and explore a practice issue. They can have their own learning workspace to hold everything that they choose. They can collaborate and co create a wiki for their own sector.

And - in real time I'll be developing the Rattle the Cage sessions as well as creating spaces for Learning Conversations & Storytelling. Real ways to capture both informal learning and tacit knowledge.

Now I know as much about OS LMS as a small monkey.

I do know the major platforms - which is a start. And - I have spent time this week downloading white papers that do comparative analysis of them. And - I have gone to their sites and had a mooch around.

But that's about it.

Sakai appeals to me for reasons I'm not even sure about yet ( I do trust my intuition - and will make no apologies for it - this project honours both right and left brain 'thinking'). It gets very good reviews in the comparative analysis white paper. But - there's just something that is tickling at me. Maybe it's the name - after the Iron Chef - Sakai. I love a sense of humour in branding.

Anyway, Sakai is having their international conference in Paris (bummer!) from June 30 to July 3 2008. It has a specific stream for very newbies like me. I also know that a deep immersion would be very helpful as well as all the useful people I will meet.

So - I emailed Sakai and told them about SKIL2 and asked if they would waive the conference fee for an (economically) poor social entrepreneur.

'No problem' - they said. 'Delighted to have you along. Can't wait to meet you in Paris.'

Spent hours online looking for cheap but stylish accommodation in the 5th arrondisement where the conference is being held. The cost of the hotel (Marriot) recommended by the conference organisers was waaaaaaay beyond my means. After a lot of fun I found a great studio apartment 10 minutes walk from the conference, Notre Dame, the Luxembourg Gardens - and my fave shopping area - the Marais. I've booked for a week and it'll only cost 550 euro (<80 euro a night) - a bargain in central Paris.

Getting Sakai to waive the fee (and I am acknowledging them as a SKIL2 sponsor) is all part of the CII (creative inward investment) aspect of SKIL2.

I also found out that one of the Sakai partners is Dublin City University. I will be contacting them to invite them to be SKIL2 third level partners - which is part of the P2 (profitable partnerships) aspect of SKIL2. Or, at the very least I will ask them to mentor me.

Having the four core areas (P2, CII, PC, KIS) of SKIL2 keeps the whole process and systems of the project at the very front of my mind.

Progress is good.

Take care.
Liz