Newsletter for European Research in Learning and Work [L&W] - June 2013

This is the latest edition of the L&W Newsletter, which will reach you via a mailing list of over 1400 experts in and beyond Europe. As always, it focuses on transnational research activities in the field of human resource development (HRD) and vocational education and training (VET), centred on major categories: conferences, networks/ centres, programmes, projects and publications. Many thanks to all who contributed information for this edition of the Newsletter!

Particularly worth noting in this edition are calls for papers related to the conferences on "Workplace Learning and Development" and "Networked Learning" (see Conferences) and to three issues of journals (see Publications), and a request for contributions to a transnational study on "VET and Social Capital" (see Networks). Furthermore, this edition presents a range of significant European projects (see Projects).

Should you prefer to read the current Newsletter edition online, you can find it under June 2013 on the website (www.news.wifo-gate.org). And please pass the Newletter on to your own networks - thanks!

The next edition of the Newsletter will appear in early August 2013. You are invited to submit short pieces of news (texts of 100 to 200 words, without attachments, but including links to web resources) - please by 31 July 2013 at the latest!

With best wishes
Sabine Manning
Research Forum WIFO
Editor of the L&W Newsletter

Conferences

Call for papers: Workplace Learning and Development
We invite you to our 2nd International Conference "Workplace Learning and Development in Times of Globalization and Uncertainty", organized by ESREA’s Research Network Working Life and Learning (website) and hosted by Osnabrueck University, Germany, March 31—April 2, 2014. The conference brings together researchers from various nationalities, backgrounds and disciplines, and at different career stages to jointly discuss the latest developments in the field of adult, lifelong and vocational education and training. It provides in-depth insights into and discussions on workplace learning and development in times of globalization and uncertainty. Participants are invited to present papers, arrange symposiums or round-table discussions either linked to the overall conference topic and/or to one of the following sub-sections: 1) Workplace Learning; 2) Leadership for Learning and Development in Organizations; 3) Human Resource Development; 4) Vocational Education and Training (VET); 5) Stakeholders and Target Groups in Working Life and Learning. Deadline for abstract submission: August 26, 2013. Conference website and call for papers: www.wll-conference-2014.de
(Received from: Sandra Bohlinger [email protected])

Call for papers: Networked Learning
We are pleased to announce the Call for papers for the Ninth International Conference on Networked Learning in Higher Education, Lifelong  Learning and Professional Development. The conference is hosted by the University of Edinburgh, at the John McIntyre Conference Centre in Edinburgh, on the 7th, 8th & 9th April 2014. Keynote Speakers: Professor Neil Selwyn & Professor Steve Fuller. All submissions are peer reviewed, and accepted papers published in conference proceeding. Further details on submission at: www.networkedlearningconference.org.uk/documents/call.pdf NOTE: Full papers must be submitted for peer review by Friday 4th October, 2013. PRE-CONFERENCE ONLINE HOT SEATs will run from September 2013 to March 2014: Details of Hot Seat hosts can be found at: http://networkedlearningconference.ning.com/ Full Conference Details can be found at: http://www.networkedlearningconference.org.uk/ Contact: Maarten de Laat, Open University, Netherlands & Thomas Ryberg, Aalborg University, Denmark
(Received from: Maarten de Laat [email protected])

The Joy of Learning - EDEN 2013 Annual Conference Programme Published
We are pleased to announce that the detailed conference programme with the schedule of plenary and parallel sessions is now available at the conference website. Nearly 100 papers, 50 posters, 17 workshops and 9 demonstrations will highlight the state of art in ICT-supported learning in Europe and beyond. A world-class list of keynote speakers will contribute to throught-provoking discussions on the future of learning: Sir Ken Robinson, Sugata Mitra, Anna Kirah, Patrick Blessinger and Bernard Luskin are just some of the names to note. Read  the Pre-Conference Interviews with the keynotes and learn about their particular approaches and stimulating themes at the NAP blog. Register online here for the conference.
(Posted by: Eva Suba [email protected])

NOTE: Forthcoming and recent events related to European research in work and learning are listed on the WIFO Conference page [www.conferences.wifo-gate.org].  

Networks

VET and Social Capital – Seeking sharing by 'educationalist' VET teachers
Libby and Lewis Hughes from Australia are preparing a third paper in their VET and Social Capital series. Motivation, practice and evaluation responses are sought from VET teachers who regard themselves as 'educationalist'.  It would be very helpful if L&W readers bring this to the attention of VET teacher colleagues and suggest that they email Lewis at [email protected]  to obtain a briefing paper and/or further information. Of course, L&W readers (other than VET teachers) general comments relating to educationalist VET teachers will be much appreciated.
The two previous ECER papers can be found at http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/files/file.74668 and http://vetnet.mixxt.org/networks/files/file.134037. These papers assert that VET does contribute to social capital when well taught and there is a VET stakeholder 'want' for this to occur. The 'well taught' aspect is largely an outcome from teaching by a teacher with passion and commitment who - for example - supports a learner in having pride in self-confidence in drawing upon knowledge and skill coupled to being a lifelong learner, commitment to making the most of what is known and can be done, being trustworthy and having appropriately grounded trust in others, strengthening personal networks, and contributing to the strength of the team/enterprise/wider community.
(Posted by: Lewis Hughes [email protected])

NOTE: References to research networks in the field of European work and learning are available on the WIFO page Networks at a glance [www.networks.wifo-gate.org]. Major online resources related to European research networks include the ECER VETNET Proceedings (www.ecer-vetnet.wifo-gate.org) offering a complete and up-to-date collection of conference papers submitted since 1998, and the Overview of selected HRD conference papers (www.ehrd-papers.wifo-gate.org).

Programmes

NOTE: Contributions are welcome for the next edition of the Directory of Doctoral Dissertations (www.ddd.wifo-gate.org), provided as part of the WIFO Gateway, which focuses on European research in the field of vocational education (VET) and human resource development (HRD). Please provide information on expected or newly completed doctoral dissertations investigating issues of HRD, VET or work-related adult education, according to the following pattern: 1*Theme of dissertation (original language AND English); 2*Year of (expected) completion or publication; 3*Author (name and email address); 4*Tutor (name and email address); 5*Institution of tutor (name and home page). Contributions should be posted by email to the editor ([email protected]).

Projects

Learning Layers (LL): Scaling up Technologies for Informal Learning in SMEs
The recently launched large-scale research project "Learning Layers" (funded by the 7th Framework Program for Research, Technology and Development of the European Union) is making progress. Altogether the Learning Layers has a four years' lifetime and it involves researchers and application partners from 17 institutions and organizations from seven European countries. The project focuses on the utilisation and development of ICT, Web 2.0 tools and web-based services as means to support (informal) learning in the context of work in SMEs. The ITB team is working with application partners in the North German construction sector to study how the work process-oriented learning of apprentices, skilled workers and trainers in the construction sector (industry, craft trade and their training centres) can be supported by the project. The research and development activities (including participative co-design workshops) seek to find new ways to promote learning and staff development in the construction sector. Insights into work in progress and into interim results are available on the website http://learning-layers.eu. The ITB project team consists of Ludger Deitmer, Pekka Kämäräinen, Joanna Burchert, Lars Heinemann and Werner Müller.
(Received from: Pekka Kämäräinen [email protected])

Sharing Turbine: Support for workplace-based learning in construction work
The European project Learning Layers (LL - see outline above) is developing a variety of web tools and applications for supporting learning at the workplace in the construction industry and in the health care domain. The Sharing Turbine (one of the design groups of the LL project) seeks to find models, solutions and links to existing apps. Such tools should make it possible for apprentices and craftsmen to link their experiences at worksites (both problems and solutions) closer to their learning processes. For that, Layers will enable users to use "scaffolds" to reach their required informal learning in context, which ensures a shared meaning of work practices at individual (workers and practitioners) , organisational (SMEs) and interorganisational (Cluster) levels or in the network. Read more under: http://learning-layers.eu/ or contact directly: Universität Bremen, Institut Technik und Bildung (ITB) - Pekka Kämäräinen ([email protected]),  Ludger Deitmer ([email protected]); Pontydysgu: the bridge to learning - Graham Attwell ([email protected]); Bau ABC, Bad Zwischenahn - Melanie Campbell ([email protected]).
(Received from: Ludger Deitmer)

Internationalization of Vocational and Higher Education Systems in Transition (INVEST)
This comparative project, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), 2009-2012, investigates internationalization and institutional changes at the nexus of advanced general education and specific vocational training in North America and Europe. It reports on contemporary developments in national postsecondary educational systems, examines institutional persistence and change as these systems react to international pressures, and analyzes the consequences of such developments for participation in education and employment as well as social mobility. The analysis goes beyond the cross-sectional, as we ask how national systems developed and why they change as they do. Our focus is on the evolution of these educational systems' complementary models of preparing young adults for labor market participation and active citizenship. Further, the study emphasizes competition between the organizational fields involved in advanced skills formation: Vocational education and training in schools and firms on the one hand, and tertiary education in academies, colleges, and universities on the other. Building on detailed national portraits of structures and pathways, this project synthesizes two rarely combined literatures - on higher education institutions and on vocational education and training systems - to understand the dynamics of change in postsecondary education.Team: Nadine Bernhard, Lukas Graf, Justin J.W. Powell, Heike Solga. Project website: http://tinyurl.com/ofvazn7
(Posted by: Justin Powell [email protected])

Skills development for realizing the workforce competence reserve (SkillsREAL)
A new large research project "Skills development for realizing the workforce competence reserve" (SkillsREAL, 2014-2017) has been funded by the Norwegian Research Council. The point of departure is the situation in which shortage of labour and competence reserve exist in parallel. The purpose is to explore how to best optimize the learning and competence potential of groups of adults at risk of labour exclusion, outside the labour force or underemployed. Complex relationships between adult skills, characteristics and attitudes (ASCA; as measured by OECD's PIAAC study), adult participation in learning activities and in the labour market (register data) will be explored. SkillsREAL employs both quantitative and qualitative methods. One of the main objectives is to identify, develop, implement and analyze best practice and innovative solutions for optimizing the working and learning capacities through innovative pedagogical use of new technology in adult education provisions. The project partners are University College Stord/Haugesund (HSH) (project management), University of Stavanger (UiS), and the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS), supported by an international Scientific Advisory Board with experts from Sweden, Finland and Australia. For more information contact the project leader Professor Tarja Tikkanen [email protected]
(Posted by: Tarja Tikkanen)

THEMP – Project Presentation

One main challenge of the knowledge society is the constant skill upgrading contributing to mitigate new and old social risks. People in mid-life are increasingly exposed to social risks of exclusion from labour markets and formal lifelong learning. Their access to Tertiary Lifelong Learning (TLL) has an increasing relevance for the socio-economic sustainability of the ageing knowledge society. Based on a combination of the different approaches (Transitional Labour Market, Capability and Human, Cultural and Social Capital) the project THEMP studies the TLL at Universities in seven EU-countries. The project - coordinated by the Foundation Conocimiento y Desarrollo (Barcelona/Spain) - is co-funded by the EU in the Lifelong Learning programme. Eight organisations from seven EU-countries are participating. At the core of the project stands a comparative study with concrete examples of universities analysing statistically available data, making series of interviews with decision makers, lecturers and mid-life learners. Two workshops will facilitate mutual learning among key actors. And at the final conference (14/11/2013) the discussion about the social effectiveness of TLL will be open to a broader audience. More information and project results are available at the project website www.themp.eu.  Contact: Karsten Krüger, Fundación Conocimiento y Desarrollo ([email protected])

(Posted by: Karsten Krüger)

NOTE: Contributions are invited to update the Overview of European research projects [www.projects.wifo-gate.org], provided as part of the WIFO Gateway. The overview focuses on transnational research projects, mainly supported by EU programmes, in the areas of human resource development, vocational education, work and learning. Please send the following information to the editor ([email protected]):  (A) exact title and acronym (short name) of the project; (B) name and email address of the coordinator or main contact; (C) address of the website (or info page/ flyer) of the project.
(Contact and editor: Sabine Manning)

Publications

Call for papers: International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology (IJAVET)
http://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-adult-vocational-education/1131
The Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology (IJAVET) would like to invite you to consider submitting a manuscript for inclusion in this scholarly journal. The mission IJAVET is to advance the understanding, practice and research within career and technical education (CTE), adult education and technology. Providing original and creative ideas based on results of research, this journal employs a variety of methods and approaches, including (but not limited to) quantitative and qualitative analysis. Prospective authors should note that only original and previously unpublished articles will be considered. Interested authors must consult the journal’s guidelines for manuscript submissions (http://www.igi-global.com/Files/AuthorEditor/guidelinessubmission.pdf) prior to submission. All article submissions will be forwarded to at least 3 members of the Editorial Review Board of the journal for double-blind, peer review. Final decision regarding acceptance/ revision/ rejection will be based on the reviews received from the reviewers. All submissions must be forwarded electronically and should be directed to the attention of: Victor C.X. Wang, Editor-in-Chief, IJAVET, E-mail: [email protected]
(Received from: Victor Wang)

Call for papers: Entrepreneurial and small firm research
Celebrating Entrepreneurial & Small Firm research – "embracing qualitative research philosophies and methods". Special issue call for papers from International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research - Guest Editors: David Higgins, Pauric McGowan, Kiran Trehan
This SI serves as a timely point to reflect upon, critique and debate the skills and knowledge which are required by researchers to develop meaningful, informative and trust-worthy qualitative research. The editors define qualitative inquiry as a means of exploring and understanding the subjective nature of what one can term "lived experience" from the perspective of those who have had experience, seeking to make sense of the explanations and meanings which individuals assign to their experience.  We invite contributions which highlight and advance the use and adoption of various qualitative approaches, (such as interpretivism, action research, constructionist/ postmodernism ideologies, to name but a few). For further information, please contact: [email protected], Submission deadline is 1st of Dec 2013. Details of the call see website.
(Posted by: Kiran Trehan [email protected])

Call for Papers: Computer Support for Collaborative Learning
Comunicar (www.comunicarjournal.com) is a refereed professional journal that fosters inquiry into Communication and Education by providing a forum for educators and media professionals to share their research findings and explore ideas and relationships in the field. Comunicar's readership includes teacher educators from all different educational levels (including Higher Education), teacher learners, researchers and media professionals. Comunicar recently proposed the Call for Papers: Revolution in Education? Computer Support for Collaborative Learning (CSCL). Original and significant research manuscripts are welcome.
Comunicar is covered by Social Sciences Citation and Scopus among many others. This journal has published 1572 papers in 20 issues since 1993. Currently, researchers have an immediate, world-wide, and barrier-free access to the full text of research papers, as may be seen by visiting www.comunicarjournal.com Comunicar is published full-text in English and Spanish, while the Chinese version includes title, abstracts and keywords. All manuscripts to be considered for publication have to be submitted online. The guidelines may be accessed at http://www.revistacomunicar.com/index.php?contenido=normas Appropriate prompts for online submission may be followed at http://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/comunicar/login
(Received from: Associate Editor, Dr. Carmen Fonseca-Mora [email protected])

NOTE:  Updates on publications provided by the WIFO Gateway include the WIFO Bookshelf [www.books.wifo-gate.org], a collection of references to publications focusing on cross-European issues of work and learning, and "From the Journals" - Overview of articles on cross-European issues in VET and HRD research [www.articles.wifo-gate.org], selected from European and international Journals related to education research [www.journals.wifo-gate.org].

Impressum

Editor of the L&W Newsletter: Dr Sabine Manning, Research Forum WIFO ([email protected]);
Address: Neue Blumenstr. 1, D-10179 Berlin, Germany;
Editions of the L&W Newsletter: six times a year, every two months (at the beginning of February, April, June, August, October, December);
Deadline for contributions to the L&W Newsletter: end of January, March, May, July, September, November;
Circulation of the current L&W Newsletter: about 1400 experts in 40 countries (mostly Europe);
Details and Archive of the L&W Newsletter [www.news.wifo-gate.org].