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AQUA-TNET NEWSLETTER

July 2010

This is a free e-mail news service provided by AQUA-TNET for the AQUA-TNET network and its partners. AQUA-TNET is the European Thematic Network in the field of aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic resource management, funded under the European Commission Lifelong Learning Programme, from 2008 - 2011.

In the AQUA-TNET Newsletter you will find an update of AQUA-TNET and its activities, as well as information from the European Commission related to European education matters.

Please forward this newsletter to your colleagues and students. Please submit any relevant information for dissemination in the newsletter to aquatnet@aquatt.ie.

Contents

1. AQUA-TNET News

    Agenda

    Research & Education

    Other

2. AquaTT Training News

3. Bibmail

4. Information of Interest

5. Pisces TT Jobs

6. Other

1. AQUA-TNET News

Calling all students, graduates, University teachers and employers: WP4 needs your help!

This is a reminder to all Aqua-tnet members that the WP4 (New generic skills and competences approaches) questionnaires are still awaiting your reply. We are carrying out a survey to gather the views of teachers, stakeholders (industry and other employers), graduates and students (BSc, MSc, PhD and other) on the current provision of generic skills training at university level. In particular we would like to identify gaps in current training and to improve skills provision for the aquaculture, fisheries, marine sciences and management sectors.

We would like to ask you to take a few minutes to compete our online survey. It should take around 10 minutes and your input will be used to identify priorities for the future provision of generic skills training.

If you are a student please go to this link:
http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=ea618ef0-e81b-4c3a-bff5-b2d1f22d7257

If you are a graduate (i.e. you recently completed a university degree) please go to this link:
http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=144616b4-36b8-427b-9ffb-1c2a1245e86d

If you are a teacher please go to this link:
http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=2e435a0d-1bf6-4ec5-b579-4b4be1c59dfb

OR

If you are an employer please go to this link:
http://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=bbc39675-42e2-488f-81a9-f88909ea9574
 
We would be very grateful if you could also bring these surveys to the attention of your colleagues.

Thanking you in advance, Aqua-tnet workpackage 4 group.

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Hands-On Science International Conference, Rethymnon, Crete, 25-30th July 2010

At the 7th International Hands-On Science International Conference, Ms Sonia Seixas (Universidade Aberta, Portugal), a core group member of AQUATNET WP5 (Innovation in Teaching Method) presented a short paper describing her experience of teaching an elearning course in “Biological Classification and Evolution”, using the Moodle platform. The course which had several online components, including YouTube video materials, as well as a discussion forum, ran over two years as part of a 3-year course in Environmental Science and was taken by 50 students. The discussion component was seen as especially valuable by the students. The full paper (cited below) can be accessed on the Conference website. 

The Hands-on Science Network exists to help improve Science & Technology education at basic vocational training and secondary schools by hands-on experimental investigative practice in the classroom. There were many inspiring contributions from dedicated educators which are also available on the Conference website.

Sónia Seixas (2010). An experience of teaching biology classification and evolution in e-learning environment M. Kalogiannakis,
D. Stavrou & P. Michaelidis (Eds.) Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Hands-on Science. 25-31 July 2010, Rethymno-Crete, pp.427 - 431 

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Research & Education 

Call for proposals for the Lifelong Learning Programme

The European Commission has issued call for proposals for the Lifelong Learning Programme - Support for two competitions on the promotion of language learning through short audiovisual productions. For more information on the call online please click here

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Publication: Linking credit systems and qualifications frameworks - An international comparative analysis

“The launches of the European qualifications framework (EQF) in 2008 and the European credit system for vocational education and training (ECVET) in 2009 prompted examination of experiences with similar tools in Europe and in other countries. Following European recommendations on both of these, implementation in national, regional and sectoral contexts started. Cedefop felt the need for both an overview and a critical analysis of national and European developments on credit systems or similar mechanisms, qualifications frameworks and the relationships between the two.” To read the full report online please click here

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A new impetus for European cooperation in Vocational Education and Training to support the Europe 2020 strategy – Communication from the European Commission

“Validation of non-formal and informal learning provides pathways for up-skilling and reintegration of people to the labour market. The adoption of an outcomes-based approach for vocational qualifications, as promoted by the EQF and ECVET, is key to achieving this: it must become embedded in all parts of the E&T system.” To read the full communication please click here

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Global Trends in Language Learning in the Twenty-First Century

"Today´s language classroom is vastly different from that of the mid- to late 20th century. The study is a meta-analysis of recent research which provided the means to identify current and emerging trends in the field." To access the study online please click here

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A new decade brings a new JRC

"From now until 2020, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) will scale up its focus on policy by providing more options to key customers. As the EU's own in-house research arm with seven institutes located in five countries, the strategy for the coming decade is expected to further strengthen policy and research ties both within the European Commission and other clients. The new plan was presented recently by JRC Director-General Roland Schenkel at the Euro-Science Open Forum (ESOF) held in Italy." To read the full article online please click here

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Other 

The VALLA Tool and methodology showcased at the 7th International Hands On Science Conference, Rethymnon, Crete, 25-30th July 2010

"Bringing hands-on active learning of science into the classroom", the major aim of the International Hands-On Science Network, is also a contributory part of the EU 2020 Strategic Framework for Vocational Education, which is designed to cover all aspects and levels of lifelong learning. Innovative teaching methods can all too readily be dismissed if they fail to come up with acceptable credible assessment instruments which can be included in National Qualification Frameworks.

Mrs M.Eleftheriou's presentation focused on the growing pressure on educational institutions, even at secondary level, to define units of work in terms of learning outcomes. This task can impose a heavy burden on the staff involved. The VALLA (Validation of Lifelong Learning in Aquaculture) Tool and methodology, which can be used in any subject area, provide an excellent solution in this situation. There is growing interest in the usefulness of the VALLA Tool across different subject areas. The paper can be accessed at http://www.clab.edc.uoc.gr/hsci2010/

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Underwater communication made easy

How can scientists monitor what's going on under the sea? For instance, to survey populations of fish in the Arctic, scientists generally gather data manually during expensive research cruises. A team of Norwegian researchers believes that setting up a network of wireless sensors is a much more effective solution. To read the full article online please click here

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2. AquaTT Training News  

AquaTT's Training News is a free monthly electronic newsletter. With the latest news from the European education community, opportunities for collaboration, announcements and a student corner, Training News is an important dissemination channel for education and training opportunities for the aquaculture and fisheries sectors.

Highlights of the July 2010 issue:

CLICK HERE for the latest AquaTT Training News (July 2010)

CLICK HERE for the latest AquaTT Calendar (July 2010) with a comprehensive overview of all Events in the Maritime Sector 

Please email news@aquatt.ie to submit your news which will reach over 5,000 subscribers interested in aquaculture and related sectors of education.

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3. BibMail 

BibMail is a biweekly updated overview of the content tables of the major aquaculture-relevant scientific journals.

CLICK HERE for the latest Bibmail (July 2010)

To go to the BibMail website link on the AQUA-TNET site please CLICK HERE

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4. Information of Interest

Information of Interest is a biweekly updated overview of interesting publications, reports, and manuals relating to aquaculture in a broad sense, with links to the respective files or information points.

CLICK HERE for the latest Information of Interest (July 2010)

To go to the Information of Interest website link on the AQUA-TNET site please CLICK HERE 

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5. PiscesTT Jobs

PiscesTT Jobs is a free online recruitment service used by over 200 companies globally. The innovative system, updated daily, lists jobs, PhD vacancies and student placements in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Marine Science worldwide. Subscribe at http://www.piscesttjobs.com/feeds/ for live RSS updates of new job postings. This service facilitates human resource development in the industry.

At the moment 5 interesting jobs are listed: 

If you are interested in posting a job vacancy or registering for the service, please go to the PiscesTT Jobs website or contact Marieke Reuver at marieke@aquatt.ie

6. Other 

This update is published by the AQUA-TNET Secretariat. For further information, e-mail: aquatnet@aquatt.ie

If you would like to post a notice, news item or event details on the next issue of the AQUA-TNET Newsletter or on the AQUA-TNET website, please send details to Marieke Reuver at marieke@aquatt.ie 

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About AQUA-TNET

All old AQUA-TNET Newsletters and other AQUA-TNET information is archived on the AQUA-TNET website (www.aquatnet.com).

AQUA-TNET welcomes any feedback regarding content, presentation and user-friendliness of the newsletter. Please forward this mail to any colleagues that may be interested. Please submit any relevant information for dissemination in the newsletter to aquatnet@aquatt.ie. 

DISCLAIMER: AQUA-TNET provides this newsletter as a free service to its partners. Most of the information is provided by AQUA-TNET. Where it is not, the source of the news is provided in the text of the news brief or else AQUA-TNET attributes the news to the coordinating body as the "Data Source Provider". In no way does this newsletter intend to wrongly or inappropriately claim projects, news, etc. as its own nor is it responsible for incorrect information provided from other sources. The AQUA-TNET Newsletter is a dissemination tool and forum for both AQUA-TNET and its partners.

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