Happy New Year!

Sorry for the recent lack of postings but I've been tied up with the family over Christmas.

Quite right too in some ways.

Anyway may I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year!

Lots of exciting things ahead (I hope) for all of us and lots of work (I'm sure) for all of us.

Best Wishes from, Phil

SWAP TT2 University of Calgary Links

Dear All,

Julia has asked me to upload these links and information from our colleagues in Calgary.

E-learning resources at the University of Calgary - move toward blended learning - see reports http://commons.ucalgary.ca/elearningservices/index.html

At the U of C and in the Faculty of Social Work, we use video-conferencing and Blackboard.Elluminate Live is an new feature integrated with Blackboard that uses voice over IP so synchronous sessions can be held.

http://commons.ucalgary.ca/elearningservices/elluminate.html

We offer the following programs/courses via distance education:

The Faculty of Social Work offers a Distance Learning MSW program concentrating in Leadership in Human Services. The Distance Learning MSW in Leadership in Human Services is only available to applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/main.htm?page=ss_msw.shtml

Continuing education eventVirtual Communities of Practice A virtual community of practice uses the Internet to help participants share information, interact, collaborate and learn together. The practice benefits of participating in a community of practice include: access to a rich source of peer-reviewed information and other online resources; the opportunity to collaborate with other practitioners; an expanded network of professional contacts and resources; and relevant, practice-based professional learning. Three Communities of Practice will be offered: 1. Adoption: Impact of attachment on children and care-givers - a post-conference COP 2. Clinical Supervision in Social Work 3. Inter-professional practice Date: November 13 -30, 2005. 10 hours over 3 weeks. E-learning:

http://fsw.ucalgary.ca/main.htm?page=ce_programs.shtml

Instructors: Graduate Students in the MSW program under the supervision of the Director, Continuing Professional Education. Registration Deadline: Nov 4, 05 Course Fee: $25 each

Problems Posting Messages?

Dear Everyone,

Some people have reported problems posting messages to the Blog and I'm 99% certain that I know where the problem lies. My work PC isn't working at the moment but once it's fixed I'll produce some Help materials for you. They will clarify and hopefully solve the issue.

I'm sending this post from a colleague's machine but she doesn't have all the editing software that I have on mine for making nice User Guides. Today is Tuesday and if the machine isn't fixed today I won't be able to upload the instructions until Thursday. In the meantime if anyone has anything urgent that they would like me to upload on their behalf then please email it to me at philip.wane@ntu.ac.uk

Regards from, Phil

Think Tank 2 Follow Up Items

Dear All,

Well I found the event to be really useful, perhaps even more so than Think Tank 1, and the improved facilities may have helped induce a spirit of even greater productivity. I thought we had a good and rather busy (but not ridiculous) programme and the presentations were all very good. I certainly found them useful as were the exercises organised by Sue and Julia.

Just as important at this type of event is the chance to meet people, so it was nice to see a few familiar faces from Think Tank 1, where I didn't know anyone when I went along, as well as some new folks to me at this event. Just a pity we didn't get more time to chat...

I've not forgotten that I have various people to contact and some tasks to complete. Realistically I won't get into the bulk of this list until tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. Just in case anyone is having problems accessing the blog I'm going to email a copy of this text to everyone as well. That way if you having any problems you can simply reply to my mail and I'll try to help. I'm aware of a couple of things that people would like to know about in relation to the blog and I'll post up some info regarding these tomorrow evening. I'll also post up more photo's and link in another useful service (Flickr).

Regards from, Phil

Busy Sessions

The sessions were busy and highly active.

SWAP Think Tank 2 Presentation

There were a number of presentations at this busy event. This text is a little banal I know but I'm typing this while Janet is giving her presentation. With even a few minutes reflection and editing one could post some quite useful material. For example some of the charts we produced... Phil

Friday Morning

Dear All,

This is just a posting to show the flexibility of a Blog when used in conjunction with events of special groups. I'm really just checking to see if I can upload a photo without any problems.

If you can see a photo - then I did!

Phil

Short Survey Request

Would everyone else please take a few minutes to complete a short (and it really is short) online survey?

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=399661589799

Clicking on the link above should work in most mail systems but if you have any problems just copy and paste the URL into a web browser. Once you have completed the survey you will go to the home page of Survey Monkey but you can just close his down. They provide a free service and are simply advertising themselves – a small price to pay.

If you do not have to time to do this before the event then you can always complete while you are there. Cheers from, Phil

SWAP Think Tank 2 Winchester Dec 8/9 2005

Test posting to see if the new blog is working okay.

If it is I will set it up for everyone attending the second SWAP* think tank.

Phil

Social Work And Policy