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AQUA-TNET NEWSLETTERNovember 2013
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CONTENTSAQUA-TNET NEWS
PROGRAMMES, COURSES & PEOPLERESEARCH & EDUCATION
OTHER
AQUA-TNET CALENDARAQUATT TRAINING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTSPISCESTT JOBS
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AQUA-TNET NEWS | ||||
Aqua-tnet Work Package Meetings
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Timesheets ReminderWe are fast approaching the final year of Aqua-tnet3. The partners in Stirling are preparing for the upcoming Annual Event at the end of June 2014 - venue to be announced shortly. All partners should make sure to submit their timesheets for the nine month period April 2013 to December 2013. Each named individual from your organisation must have a separate timesheet. Please refer to the time inputs allocated in the proposal for further guidance as well as the category indicated for each individual. If you have any queries please see guidance HERE. Activities you may have performed include but are not restricted to:
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Aqua-tnet Announces Information and Communications Technology Workshop 2014In combination with the final annual event of Aqua-tnet3 in summer 2014, a two-day Information and Communications Technology (ICT) workshop will be organised by Aqua-tnet Work Package 5 "Innovative Lifelong Learning", under the special responsibility of WP 5 C , "Innovative tools and methods". “Today’s learners have access to increasingly powerful and affordable handheld computing devices, including smartphones, games consoles and tablet computers. They can share, interact and immerse themselves online with others through the use of social networks and virtual worlds. They can also create identities and user-generated resources that potentially have a virtual worldwide audience enabled by the Internet. Learners’ activities can be captured in real time and feedback processes automated with increasing precision through learning analytics. Technologies that allow users to post material and messages online have the potential to support learner inquiry, to offer new modes of representation and expression requiring new forms of literacy, to support innovative thinking and problem-solving through collaboration, and to allow publication of work to an authentic external audience” However, even in the most advanced OECD countries, very few teachers typically have a comprehensive knowledge of the wide range of ICT tools and resources or are confident users of ICTs. Thus the fascinating technical options available, as described in the quotation above, have not yet found their way into the majority of learning environments. This is probably true for all educational levels. There is clearly an urgent need to "train the trainers" in using ICT in their teaching environment. It is predicted that there will be many benefits for both the learner and the teacher, including the promotion of shared working space and resources, better access to information, the promotion of collaborative learning and a general move towards greater learner autonomy. It is obvious that ICT will also require a modification of the role of the teacher, who will have other skills and responsibilities in addition to classroom teaching. Many will become specialists in the use of distributed learning techniques, the design and development of shared working spaces and resources, and virtual guides for students who use electronic media. Therefore, a kind of "ICT-driver’s licence" is needed to serve as an instrument for professional development of teachers. The Aqua-tnet network is supporting this process and will contribute to the area with a dedicated ICT workshop at its final annual event in 2014. The two-day workshop will teach the participants how to handle basic ICT tools. Our aim is to help teachers to develop state-of-the-art content for e-learning in general and for blended learning environments in particular. We intend to achieve this by training teachers to create their own e-learning materials and raising their awareness of innovative e-learning tools. We are aware that it is not just technical ICT skills that are needed to provide a sound teaching/learning environment, but also successful pedagogic strategies which utilise ICT for teaching and learning. Nevertheless, we consider the technical knowledge about ICT tools and their application as a good start to implement the new technologies into learning environments. We would like to customise the planned ICT workshop to meet the needs of the participants and maximise their benefit. Thus, we would like to know about their background in relation to their teaching obligations, their present knowledge related to the use of up-to-date ICT, and preferences concerning those topics which should be communicated in the workshop. In order acquire such information from potential participants for the planned ICT workshop, we have created an online survey. If you are interested in participating in this workshop, we ask you to complete the survey which is accessible at the following URL: www.betterview.de/index.php/71668/lang-en During the final selection of participants for the workshop, preference will be given to those who have completed this questionnaire. Even if you are not interested in participating in the workshop, we would appreciate your participation in this questionnaire. Please note: this course is not aimed at advanced ICT users. More information about the organisation of the workshop, the dates, the venue and the final content will be disseminated in due course. If you have any questions or queries at this point, you may want contact the organiser of the workshop: B. Ueberschär (info@bioserve-deutschland.de) | ||||
PROGRAMMES, COURSES & PEOPLE | ||||
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RESEARCH & EDUCATION | ||||
Beyond Prototypes ReportThe Beyond Prototypes project is an in-depth examination of the processes of innovation in technology-enhanced learning (TEL). It explores the complex and evolving relationships between educational technology research, innovation, commercialisation and impact. The project proposes a model for understanding and improving the process of moving from academic research and innovative prototypes to effective and sustainable educational products and practices. In 2007, the Economic and Social Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council jointly funded a national TEL Research Programme. As a final initiative of the TEL Research Programme, this report was commissioned to explore the broader issues of translating innovation from early prototypes to sustained impact. The report can be downloaded HERE. | ||||
European Online Education and Training MonitorThe annual report Education and Training Monitor, presented every autumn by the Commission, sets out the progress on the ET 2020 benchmarks and core indicators, including the Europe 2020 headline target on education and training. It illustrates the evolution of education and training systems across Europe, with a particular focus on the country-specific recommendations adopted in the field of education and training, and contributes to the analytical basis for the next European Semester. The Education and Training Monitor is accompanied by 28 individual country reports and an online visualisation tool. For more information, click HERE. | ||||
First International KES Conference on Smart Technology based Education and TrainingSmart Technology based Education and Training (STET)-14 is a major international forum for the presentation of innovative ideas, approaches, technologies, systems, findings and outcomes of research and design and development projects in the emerging area of smart technology and its applications in education and training. The conference will take place on 18-20 June 2014 in Chania, Greece. STET-14 will be colocated with Agents and Multi-agent Systems – Technologies and Applications (AMSTA)-14, Intelligent Decision Technologies (IDT)-14 and Intelligent Interactive Multimedia Systems and Services (IIMSS)-14, as part of the Smart Digital Futures multi-theme conference. Papers are invited for review on topics lying within the scope of the conference. The deadline for the submission of Papers is 27 January 2014. For more information about submissions, click HERE. | ||||
LLinE Journal: Mobility and MigrationLifelong Learning in Europe (LLinE) is a combination of a scientific journal and a magazine and, unlike any other publication in Europe, is directed at the whole of the adult education field: researchers, advocates, decision makers and educators. LLinE therefore is a bridge builder across the different sectors of the adult education field. The most recent issue of LLinE focuses on Mobility and Migration and can be viewed here: www.lline.fi/en/the-journal | ||||
DG Employment: 2013 PROGRESS Call for Proposals 'Delivering on skills for growth and jobs'DG EMPL has published a new 2013 PROGRESS Call for Proposals 'Delivering on skills for growth and jobs' with a budget of €5.7 million. The overall objective of the Call is to encourage new forms of collaboration through partnerships between public and private actors on the labour market (such as public and private employment services, companies including SME’s, chambers of commerce, training and education providers, social partners, labour market intelligence entities) to address persistent skills shortages and mismatches to help fill the gap between labour supply and demand in the EU. The deadline for submission of complete applications is 15 January 2014. For more information, click HERE. | ||||
UIL Announces Latest Publication: Linking Recognition Practices and National Qualifications FrameworksQualification systems across the globe are generally well equipped to deal with learning acquired in institutional settings. However, one of the greatest challenges is how to recognise learning that occurs outside the formal education sector. The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)’s new book, Linking Recognition Practices and National Qualifications Frameworks, edited by Madhu Singh and Ruud Duvekot, tackles this challenge. The recognition, validation and accreditation (RVA) of learning in formal, non-formal, and informal settings is examined within a variety of national and regional contexts. It contains 23 country specific reports on the linkages between national qualifications frameworks (NQFs) and the practices of RVA from all five UNESCO regions. The book’s reports are based on the outcomes of an international conference organised by UIL in Hamburg in March 2010. The conference explored how UNESCO Member States are promoting lifelong learning by establishing RVA policies and mechanisms. It also asked what challenges are associated with establishing linkages between RVA and NQFs. For more information, click HERE. | ||||
Lifelong Learning Erasmus Awards 2013The 2013 European Erasmus Awards were handed out at an award ceremony in Brussels on 21 November 2013 to three outstanding higher education institutions funded by the European Union. The three winning institutions, which are involved in partnerships in several European countries, were described as "excellent examples of what can be achieved by using staff mobility strategically for the support and on-going improvement of teaching and learning quality," by Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth. The European Commission invited all higher education institutions holding an Erasmus University Charter to highlight success stories involving staff mobility and short intensive programmes like international summer schools. Independent experts short-listed 20 of the best case studies, from which the three winning institutions were chosen. Read more HERE. | ||||
Successful Second FORCE General Assembly Meeting Held in Rome, ItalyThe FP7 project FORCE (Fishing and aquaculture-Oriented Research Capacity in Egypt) held its rescheduled Second General Assembly Meeting in Rome, Italy, on 6-7 November 2013. FORCE is designed to enhance the capacity of the Egyptian National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF) to carry out research activities aimed at supporting the implementation of thorough and science-based policies for the sustainable development of fishing and aquaculture in Egypt and the whole Mediterranean North African region. For more information, please contact Suzan Kholeif (Coordinator) suzan_kholeif@yahoo.com or the Project Management Team force.niof@gmail.com | ||||
SEAFARE Seville Seminar Highlights the Potential of Wetlands Aquaculture
You can read more about this event HERE, or in the latest issue of SEAFARE Project News, which can be downloaded HERE. The SEAFARE project aims to promote the diversification of the aquaculture industry by providing a greater range of species and alternative environmentally-friendly production systems. All the initiatives developed by the project are assessed for their commercial applicability through close collaboration with stakeholders and SMEs. The project involves 14 partners, bringing together applied R&D centres, aquaculture industry organisations and environmental agencies across the Atlantic maritime region to promote the sustainable expansion of European aquaculture. For more information about SEAFARE, please visit www.seafareproject.eu
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Explore the World’s Oceans for Free with University of Southampton MOOCThe University of Southampton has launched its second Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), entitled ‘Exploring our Oceans’. The MOOC, which is being led by ocean explorers from Ocean and Earth Science at the University, will last six weeks, requiring two to three hours of study per week. The course will have recorded lectures, carefully selected readings, planned learning activities and online formative multiple-choice tests. There will also be a discussion forum based around weekly topics to promote lively debate and help build an online community around areas of interest. The MOOC is now open for registration and starts on 3 February 2014 and formally finishes on 17 March 2014. If you would like to know more or register for the ‘Exploring our Oceans’ MOOCs, please visit: www.futurelearn.com/courses/exploring-our-oceans BACK TO TOP | ||||
World Aquaculture Adelaide 2014: Abstract Submission Deadline ExtendedThe deadline for submission of abstracts for World Aquaculture Adelaide 2014 has been extended until 15 December 2013. Instructions for submission of abstracts are available HERE. | ||||
Wetland Resources Action Planning ToolkitThe Wetland Resources Action Planning (WRAP) toolkit is a toolkit of research methods and better management practices used in HighARCS (Highland Aquatic Resources Conservation and Sustainable Development), an EU-funded project with field experiences in China, Vietnam and India. It aims to communicate best practices in conserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem services to potential users and to promote the wise-use of aquatic resources, improve livelihoods and enhance policy information. For more information, visit: www.wraptoolkit.org | ||||
Fifth Issue of MaCuMBA Project News Now Available
In this issue of MaCuMBA Project News: an interview with Prof Francisco Rodriguez-Valera from the Universidad Miguel Hernandez (UMH), Spain, who is the leader of MaCuMBA Work Package 6 (WP6), Sequencing, genomic and metagenomic libraries and (meta)genome analyses; a report on the first MaCuMBA General Assembly by MaCuMBA coordinator Lucas Stal; information about the upcoming advanced metagenomics course being organised by the Evolutionary Genomics Group (EGG) of UMH; Prof Brian McNeil from Strathclyde University, Scotland, tells us about the EU-funded SeaBioTech project; an in-brief look at some stories relating to marine microorganisms that have been making the news; and profiles of some of the researchers making MaCuMBA happen. | ||||
Maximising Sustainability and Engaging Stakeholders: First Myfish Project Newsletter Now Available
The Myfish project aims to provide an operational framework for the implementation of the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) concept in European waters. Its first newsletter provides an overview of the project’s progress so far, including feedback from partners and stakeholders. | ||||
AQUA-TNET CALENDER | ||||
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Please check the Aqua-tnet calendar for a live update of upcoming events, courses and workshops.
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AQUATT TRAINING NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | ||||
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Please email news@aquatt.ie to submit your news which will reach more than 5,000 international subscribers. | ||||
PISCESTT JOBS | ||||
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About Aqua-tnet |
The SEAFARE (Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Aquaculture for the Atlantic Region of Europe) project held a one-day seminar at Instituto de Investigación y Formación Agraria y Pesquera (IFAPA)’s headquarters in Seville (Spain) on 30 October 2013 as part of the dissemination activities carried out to present the main outcomes of the project. The seminar, entitled “The potential for wetland aquaculture; balancing economic development and conservation benefits”, focused on the potential benefits of implementing wetland aquaculture in the Gulf of Cadiz region, and attracted more than 50 stakeholders from Spain, Portugal and the United States.
It has been an exciting first year for the MaCuMBA (Marine Microorganisms: Cultivation Methods for Improving their Biotechnological Applications) project, which held its first General Assembly in Roscoff, France in September. You can catch up with the latest news from this event and the world of marine microorganisms in the fifth MaCuMBA project newsletter, which is now available to download from: 
Read about the progress the Myfish project is making in its work to support the goals of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in the first issue of Myfish Project News, which is now available to download from the project’s website: 
AquaTT's Training News is a free monthly e-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 related sectors. 
PiscesTT Jobs is a free online recruitment service used by over 300 companies globally in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Marine Science. At the moment there are 10 interesting jobs/study opportunities. If you are interested in viewing or posting a vacancy please go to