Iain MacLaren
@iainmacl
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Scot in Ireland/astrophysicist/educator/bluffer. Citizenship stolen from me.
Galway on the Atlantic coast
Joined January 2009
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sneak peek at rough draft versions of very simple guide to teaching online, aimed at folk with little prior experience, some anxieties, and, perhaps, a smidgen of technophobia. Don't worry, we're on the case!
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The idea that masked, separated from each other, forced to face forward in rows, not work together, lecturer stuck at front masked, ushered out with nowhere to study is a better quality experience than a decent online course says how little some people know about education.
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We carved your island in two, we gerrymandered, (along with a spot or two of local ethnic cleansing) an armed border, discriminated viciously against part of the population, &made intimidation & effigy-burning a key part of our 'culture'. Would you like to join us in celebrating?
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Labour is a staunchly unionist party, as anyone living in Scotland can testify. Union flags, Orange Lodge members, etc. Some folk mistakenly think that because of their name they might be more in favour of dismantling Imperial constructs. Couldn't be further from the truth.
‘We’re not neutral, we believe in the United Kingdom’ Labour’s Lisa Nandy on the possibility of a Border Poll in Northern Ireland. Remember the Labour leadership hopeful cited Catalonia as an example of how her party could deal with the Scottish independence movement.
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Nice to welcome home the local Olympic medal winner, Fiona Murtagh of Tullykyne. Touring the local townships on open bus with bonfires blazing at all the road junctions (celtic tradition).
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Angry mob of Yes campaigners intimidating shoppers in Glasgow this weekend
#indyref
http://t.co/N0ztlF8qWF
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two unionist protestors turn up to Nicola Sturgeon's visit to Greenock and are outclassed by brave wee lassie.
#GE15
http://t.co/jrmc9wySIE
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Still can't understand why anyone might want to hack us for a ransom. Have they seen the procurement process here?
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where it's possible, use synchronous online sessions for encouragement, support, answering questions, etc, and deal with the 'content' side of things asynchronously, with guided reading/activities/etc...
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You don't have to keep thinking about recording powerpoint lecture presentations in the switch to online. Why not 'convert' to a readable learning guide; a narrative written as if to an individual student with reflection questions, suggested readings, etc..
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@AlexSalmond
Appalling to hear you say that. I live in one of many countries that have such laws and we're aghast at the bigotry and hate that some in the UK have spouted about this. Such a pity that you have descended to a platform of bigotry and bile.
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Remember, we don't want people locked up in their rooms all day. Think about making podcasts for students that they can listen to whilst taking a walk. In fact encourage them to do so, to get up and stretch their legs. You can do it too. Even record outside.
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Had to say goodbye to Mavis today. Kidney failure and liver cancer. We had her for 15 years as a member of the family
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Today the formal online exams ended. 300 scheduled exams, +226 modules with alternative assessments for 3.5 weeks. Over 13,000 exam paper uploads, 9,000 MCQ-type submissions, in addition to the alternative assessments, which alone produced 14,000 uploads on one day.
@nuigalway
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20 years ago this very day, I started work in Galway. I was charged with setting up CELT. I'm sorry that it's not completed yet, but I'm trying my best.
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I've created an online Staff Common Room for folk in
@nuigalway
to overcome isolation (whilst maintaining the mandated 'social distance'!), keep our routine tea breaks happening, and just for some craic. Try it. Link on CELT SharePoint info page
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surprised Farrage keeps going on about Hadrian's Wall. Doesn't he know it was built by Italian immigrants in an early version of the EU?
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my video background for zoom meetings, whilst i cover up the camera and get on with other things ;-)
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The 1% prepare their tax-evading Noah's Ark as the rest of us sink under their climate abuse
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Ditch the galway ring road, build public transport and bike lanes. No choice. Climate catastrophe, 3 years to act. Cut the crap and cut to the chase. Now.
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We're recruiting!! 4 Learning Technologists sought, to work with our Colleges as part of a team transforming learning, developing amazing learning materials, and rising to the challenge of blending! Visit HR page and search for CELT.
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Disgusting to see Corbyn stir up anti-immigrant rhetoric as part of his lecture to Scots about the 'benefits' of Brexit. Awful. Such a contrast to the fanboy spin of the man as a socialist and internationalist. Simply a union flag waving Brit
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To everyone in Ireland starting university classes tomorrow and this week, best of luck. All of us, staff and students, are in this crisis together & by working together we'll get though it. Don't worry about any tech glitches, it'll get smoother. Enjoy your subject, it's cool.
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Appalling. More traffic, more fumes, more climate impact. This road fanaticism is delusion of Trumpian levels.
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Jk Rowling in Scottish media says Yes scaremongering and nhs not in danger in UK. Thousands in Trafalgar square disagree.
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Want a brilliant job for a couple of years?? Assistant Director in our place eagerly sought. At SL level because of all the managing, meetings, and stuff ;-) Come and work with us, if you're nice, that is! Further info:
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Michelle is one of our great colleagues here in CELT
@nuigalway
. Wishing her and Eoin all the best.
So early yesterday morning the amazing
@michelletooher
donated a precious kidney and then late last night I received the gift of a kidney transplant.
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PhD student and part time tutor lived in a tent for two years.
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"It’s hoped the road will reduce traffic congestion".. laughable nonsense. It will increase traffic, it will increase emissions, of GHGs, toxins, and particulates/aerosols. But at least Moycullen will be getting the same treatment. COP? what's that?
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Labour effectively just voted for fracking across the whole of the UK instead of a ban. Do not believe the spin. Outrageous.
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Staff member at
@nuigalway
and puzzled over how to potentially teach online? Some practical pointers available in our SharePoint site
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LibDems now a Brexit Party. >> Ed Davey says Lib Dems will not campaign for UK to rejoin EU
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I still contend that traditional lectures are excellent for developing transferrable skills in students. After years of university experience I've been able to fein alertness in meetings whilst secretly being unconscious.
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so it's English votes for English laws, but not Scottish votes for Scottish laws...something a tad awry in that Westminster vote last night.
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sudden switch back to online teaching and learning?? Don't panic. The technology isn't a barrier, it's a tool for bringing us closer to each other. Think of the human dimension when you write materials, post information, and teach classes.
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An entirely predictable scenario. Just think of all the time spent trying to devise complex schemes for lecture rotation (every 5th lecture on site, ticket allocation, etc) which could have been focused on real high quality online learning design
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Unbelievable from Spanish state
Normally I would not be posting personal developments on this website, but in this case I have a pressing concern. My dad, Spanish economist Andreu Mas-Colell, is dealing with an incredibly difficult and unjust situation. 1/
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Brilliant to see journalism
@nuigalway
students in action, producing a news programme, watched by the Director General of RTE and the Head of News of RTE. Great use of the new studio.
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We're developing a new role of Academic Integrity Officer for the university to implement our new policy, investigate cases, provide training, etc. Anyone with similar posts with job descriptions to share, or just thoughts on key attributes/requirements? What do you think?
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two unionist protestors turn up to Nicola Sturgeon's visit to Glasgow and are outclassed by brave wee lassie.
#GE15
http://t.co/jrmc9wySIE
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Finally had enough. Put on out of office reply with response "It's the weekend."
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Good luck to everyone at
@Nuigalway
starting back tomorrow(I know some of ye have been back already, hope it's gone well!). Will be very strange for everyone, but hopefully safe & with a sense of mutual support we'll get by & reconnect with friends, colleagues, & fellow students.
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Too delicious a potential headline for today's Irish Times to resist
@SLSingh
@RichardDawkins
http://t.co/pvY2aYEmAW
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@AlastairMackint
@Rachael2Win
@PO_ScotParl
@ScotParl
@SPICe_Research
@heraldscotland
@BBCScotlandNews
@STVNews
Absolutely not true. The majority support it because despite all the scare mongering on twitter it is only about providing help to a small vulnerable minority group and by doing so help make society all the richer in kindness and care
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Brilliant new facility open to all staff & students at
@nuigalway
Simple to operate (one button!) video-recording studio. Record presentations, practice talks, prepare mini-lectures, make screencasts, etc. All easy, all free Just bring your own USB stick
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you know you're in an academic institution where the debate over 1m /2m spacing has long email chains about whether it is measured from the shoulder or the centre of the body......
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'For examination, PhD thesis final drafts should be submitted to supervisor in a car park at the back of the building at noon on the winter Solstice'
@catherinecronin
@nuigalway
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out of office for the holiday weekend now in place. Not as fun as previous ones, sorry. just taking opportunity to remind myself why need to take some time off this weekend.
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@dtaylor5633
and the hypocrisy is even worse when you consider he's implying the Scotref vote was final and irrevocable whilst he's campaigning on the opposite basis for a second EU ref.
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Méabh did an animation of me at my desk as a birthday card alternative. Sketched by hand on ProCreate for iPad
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The Galway ring road is a crime against the environment & future generations. It's an appalling use of public funds. It's crass, out-dated, & flies in the face of the vital need for proper carbon-0 public transport. If you want to reduce congestion, decrease the number of cars.
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You cannot have a 'liveable city' that is garrotted by ring roads and traffic. Saying that all the nice things will come after we build another highway is delusional at best and demonstrably nonsense. Stop road building. Build public transport.
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Flying RAF jets trailing unionist colours across the east end of Glasgow and over post-industrial wasteground....not political, not at all.
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Choose which university you want to go to on the basis of what you want, what works for you financially, geographically, socially, or whatever. Wherever you go you will find staff who work hard and care for you, as well as supportive SUs.
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Might I respectfully ask people to not send me DMs and requests on tech support issues. It's a holiday. Please take a break. If not, the instructions are online and the systems are working..so see if you can work it out or wait until next week. Thx
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When running an online exam for your students, why not start it with a simple video message of encouragement, wish them well, but reassure them that if they have difficulties to get in touch, etc...? Might be a tad more helpful than usual scary formal text or proctoring scans!
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Brexit starting to kick in as we're now told not to include UK researchers in European research funding applications. Advisors yes, cash, no
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Hmm another bad night, sleepwise. And yet so exhausted. A weekend of work ahead too. Lesson? Too much work for 1.0 FTE me. Not helped by constantly changing plans/strategies, but hey, it'll soon be Christmas.
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We are recruiting an Academic Integrity Officer (at Senior Lecturer level) to help drive our new Academic Integrity Policy, undertake case investigation, provide training, etc. Info on university jobs page, click 'academic' and scroll down to SL.
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I'd like to thank the celt staff for helping today by wandering around campus & checking in on lectures to see if they could offer help.standing by for calls & tickets. it's a busy time & juggling all the settings on all the tech takes getting used to. We'll do the same tomorrow.
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What's the most effective form of assessment reform which the advent of GenAI suggests? Probably, having enough teachers to have small enough class sizes to know your students and for them to really learn and be inspired. Inconvenient truth of education and tech
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lots of hard work again today by students at the start of week 2 of the online exams - and by staff in preparing the assessments and being on standby to resolve any issues. 1600 students sat online exams
@nuigalway
today.
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We haven't yet managed to achieve meeting-free days, but we've certainly perfected content-free meetings. So I guess that's a first step?
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De-tweeting for Xmas. I want to wish all the best to those who, for reasons only known to themselves, follow me. Whatever your religious/philosophical standpoint, it has been a pleasure having your company, particularly in this challenging past year. All the best to you & yours!
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I am pleased to announce that I will be leaving NUI Galway soon and starting on new projects. Well it is Friday evening. ;-) See you, Monday....
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@LifeAfloat
hahah. I see a man who is on an extraordinary adventure that brightens all of our days with his updates from around our magnificent coastline, reminding us of beauty and the power of nature, connecting us to one another in the sharing. Enjoy.
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The positivity & sheer decency of Yes campaign is the most extraordinary thing I've ever experienced in politics. So glad I'm here on visit
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yesterday was another record breaking day. 8.5 hours continuous video meetings. By mid-afternoon was exhausted. Disturbed night's sleep where every short dream involved people speaking in little rectangles... Folks, there has to be a better way. Less is more ;-)
#geekBegsForMercy
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Serious journalists and international observers beginning to predict a 'Yes' on Thursday as most likely outcome. Michael Crick today
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RT
@PeterKGeoghegan
: A parade of yes voting mums come into Easterhouse polling station singing flower ofScotland
http://t.co/lXu8QRPdGo
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Fancy, new, height adjustable lecterns with super- fast PCs, swivel touchscreen, and advanced audio processors slowly appearing on campus....
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...part of a set of suggestions and examples of a 6 stage approach to 'conversion' of modules, with a checklist at the end and links to training on each aspect
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For those in wider UK just joining this debate, some background. The man promoting the Conservative government is a Labour MP
#BBCindyref
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@Legalbeagle1978
@jardtech
@KentFyne
@grahamlaurie1
I'm afraid you got that the wrong way round. It's the UK that are the separatists in Ireland. That's what partition is about, carving off part of the country and the people.
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Sky news thinks SNP is bussing supporters around the country to greet Nicola. Some bus that's faster than a helicopter. ;-)
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Great to see our mini-studio taking shape. A self-service, high-quality video studio that anyone can operate! Bring your USB memory , press 'record' and you're away!! Free for all staff & students at
@nuigalway
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God, LinkedIn posts can do your head in sometimes, can't they? Lots of unashamed self-promotion &"I'm delighted to announce.." statements. Devoid of humour, for the most part, all so corporate. Not so much a social network as a bowl of business cards on a hotel reception desk.
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BBC main coverage hasn't the slightest interest in Scotland....we're already a separate country. Let's finish the job in September
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The university is planning its PPE needs for lecturers returning to campus to teach
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Again, congrats to the students and staff who participated in day 2 of the online exams at
@NUIGalway
. Lots of good work done and much appreciated patience and tenacity in these difficult times. Huge numbers of successfully submitted papers and tests.
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Hey,
@NUIGalway
staff!! We're now making H5P available to all of you as part of a site-licence, fully integrated into Blackboard, this easy-to-use tool can help you bring some interactivity to your courses. Visit our Sharepoint site for info or touch base with
@hey_km
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Pencil in June 15th, Galway, Ireland - for an astounding Symposium with international speakers, imaginative workshops, and plenty of conviviality - 'Design for Learning (2)' - learning spaces, architecture, subverting the form, technology and hybrid spaces, loads more!
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