Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

ALTUK.bsky.social @altuk.bsky.social · Aug 27

In a world that seems to be speeding up by the second, with notifications pinging, deadlines looming and AI tools promising instant answers, Helen Greetham has been thinking about ways of slowing down when it comes to digital learning and infrastructures in our latest #altc blog:

ALTC25 Guest Post: A Manifesto for Slow Digital Learning

In a world that seems to be speeding up by the second, with notifications pinging, deadlines looming and AI tools promising instant answers, I’ve been thinking lately about ways of taking thi…

buff.ly

3 3

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Aug 7

It's not me! A different Simon Ball I suspect!

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Jul 24

And anyone who designs, purchases or installs a shower that has a lever that pulls out towards the bum-turning zone, resulting in inadvertent scalding / freezing on every turn or bend, should be poked until they see the error of their ways. Dials and knobs for showers please, never levers.

1

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Jul 15

Registration is now open for Open University postgrad module Research and Scholarship in Digital Education www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...
Aimed at those moving into postgrad study or thinking of or starting a PhD. Starts Oct 4th (until May 2026). Students can participate in April Online Conference.

A postcard advertising Open University module H890 Research and Scholarship in Digital Education. Aside from the module name the text reads: The skills and knowledge you'll acquire through supported postgraduate study at the Open University can bring real-life benefits to you and your career. There is further text beneath an image of two students working together, which reads Evaluate teaching innovation through cutting-edge research. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/modules/H890 and buttons reading 'Flexible study', 'Fully online' and '60 postgraduate credits'. There is also a QR code going to the same place as the link mentioned above.

1 4 4

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Jolyon Maugham KC @goodlawproject.org · Jun 26

The legal press - whose job it is to help lawyers advise their clients - knows this is a serious change of position. And that's why the public facing press - which understands its job to be spreading transphobic propaganda - won't cover it. www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/governance/3...

EHRC adds “clarification” to interim guidance on practical implications of Supreme Court judgment on definition of sex in Equality Act

www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

1 18 160

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Emily Hamilton @emilymcminn-ms.bsky.social · Jun 25

Sacre Bleu! According to the BBC absolutely nothing happened in Westminster hall today, hundreds of Trans people definitely did not undertake a mass lobby and MPs certainly didn't hear from their constituents about why the EHRC is a liability. Meanwhile in France... www.france24.com/en/live-news...

Trans campaigners descend on UK parliament to protest 'bathroom ban'

Hundreds of transgender people and their supporters flocked to the UK parliament on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to oppose new guidelines that would deny them access to certain single-sex spaces.

www.france24.com

18 280 710

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Apr 23

You can now read a summary of the brilliant 2025 H890 Research And Scholarship In Digital Education Conference. Two insightful and thought-provoking keynotes (thank you @neilselwyn.bsky.social @shaileyminocha.bsky.social ) and 9 truly excellent student presentations!

www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/i...

A cartoon divided into four squares, each featuring a penguin, as if they were all in an online video conference. One wears large headphones, one is looking directly at the camera, and two are passing a cake between each other, subverting the fact that they are all in separate locations. This image is used as the main image on the H890 conference homepage.

5 2

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Apr 14

We have been fortunate enough to be awarded some more Commonwealth Scholarship places for entry onto our Masters in Online Teaching next year. Please share this information far and wide, especially if you have contacts in the eligible Commonwealth countries.

iet.open.ac.uk/commonwealth...

Commonwealth Scholarships 2025 | Institute of Educational Technology, The Open UniversityInstitute of Educational Technology

iet.open.ac.uk

8 7

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Institute of Educational Technology @ietatou.bsky.social · Apr 9

One day to our Research & Scholarship in #DigitalEducation conference. Join us on:

Friday 11th April 2025, starting at 09:00 BST
Saturday 12th April 2025, starting at 13:00 BST

#studentconference

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Mar 26

Reminder to register for our FREE "Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference" to hear from our Masters in Online Teaching students and keynotes from Prof Neil Selwyn and Prof Shailey Minocha. Details and registration link here: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

A cartoon featuring penguins participating in an online video conference with their webcams in a 2x2 grid, but they are 'breaking the fourth wall' by handing a cake to one another despite being supposedly in different locations.

3 4

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Neil Selwyn @neilselwyn.bsky.social · Apr 2

🎧new interview! We all saw reports in 2021 that Denmark was 'banning' Google from schools ... but what actually happened next? I talk to Emilie Groth about the complexities of the Chromebook case & what it tells us about public sector dependency on Big Tech ... www.buzzsprout.com/1301377/epis...

1 2 5

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Institute of Educational Technology @ietatou.bsky.social · Mar 25

📢Confference prorgamme is confirmed!📢 All welcome 👇

2025 H890 Research & Scholarship in #DigitalEducation Online Student Conference

Friday 11th April 2025, starting at 09:00 BST
Saturday 12th April 2025, starting at 13:00 BST

Registration forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

4 1

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Mar 26

Reminder to register for our FREE "Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference" to hear from our Masters in Online Teaching students and keynotes from Prof Neil Selwyn and Prof Shailey Minocha. Details and registration link here: www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

5 4

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Feb 27

Registration is open for our FREE 2025 H890 Research & Scholarship in Digital Education Online Student Conference! Join to hear our Masters students present their work alongside keynotes from Prof Neil Selwyn (Monash Univ,Aus) and Prof Shailey Minocha (Open Univ,UK).
www.open.ac.uk/blogs/H890Co...

8 9

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Feb 21

The 12wk micro-credential I co-wrote & teach on "Online teaching: accessibility and inclusive learning" restarts 10March.
Learn and share with educators from around the world. Accessibility, Usability, UDL, AssistiveTech, Roles & Responsibilities.
@ietatou.bsky.social
www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

6 7

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Feb 12

My sister Helen Ball, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Durham, has spent most of the past year writing a book "How babies sleep: a factful guide to the first 365 days and nights".
Registration for the 10th May launch conference is now open. pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham...

Pls share!

2 4

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Jan 29

The free Open University MOOC "The Online Educator" has been updated, relaunching on OpenLearnCreate next week. Join international educators from all stages of edu to enhance your online teaching. 3hrs/wk, 4 wks. Bookmark link as reg not open yet.
www.open.edu/openlearncre...
@ietatou.bsky.social

7 6

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Dec 11

IET (OU dept) is postgrad-only & we have very good 1-2-1 tutor relationships with our students.We usually have a great global mix which brings new perspectives. With 1 exception I've only ever seen positive reviews about the MAOT & its modules. Happy to call u (I'm a tutor) if u would like more info

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Nov 26

Registration closes soon (23 Jan) for our 100%-online educator-oriented module 'Technology-Enhanced Learning: Foundations and Futures' (counts as 33% of Masters in Online Teaching)
www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...
Ideal development for educators, enjoying perspectives from an global cohort. Pls share!

A slide showing an image of a well dressed woman at a desk with a laptop smiling and speaking towards a large video camera. Text reads "Masters in Online Teaching - Learn the theory and practice of online, blended and technology-enhanced learning from experts at the Institute of Educational Technology. Available globally. Fully online. Flexible study pathway" There is a QR code pointing to https://www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate/qualifications/f98

1 3 7

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Sep 20

Well, I hadn't been involved in writing a paper for ages and now two come along at once! Read "The Importance of Offline Options for Online Learners" here doi.org/10.5334/jime... and "Collaboration and care in climate education: Brave responses to an uncertain future" here doi.org/10.1002/curj...

The Importance of Offline Options for Online Learners | Journal of Interactive Media in Education

***JIME is currently focusing on a number of Special Collections - see announcements below for more details on our calls for papers- the journal is therefore closed to general submissions at the prese...

jime.open.ac.uk

2 5

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Sep 18

It really is the most awe-inspiring building. I don't think one can really appreciate its splendour from pictures - there's something about being inside that space that is incredibly special.

1

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Sep 13

Hey @theindependent.bsky.social - can we avoid using the phrase "accused of being transgender" please? Most definitions of 'accusation' involve words like 'wrongdoing' or 'crime', and being transgender is in itself neither of these things. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...

Brigitte Macron awarded €8,000 after false transgender claims

The false allegations made in December 2021 went viral just weeks before the 2022 French election

www.independent.co.uk

2

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Aug 27

3 weeks left to sign up for the Open University's excellent 60-credit PG module 'Research & Scholarship in Digital Education'? Ideal for anyone planning on / starting a PhD or who wants to have a better understanding of the essential principles of educational research. www.open.ac.uk/postgraduate...

7 8

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Jul 18

The University of Macerata, Italy (who run the incredible Masters in Accessible Media and Culture) have issued a survey they would like you to respond to if you work in access services for the media, live events and the arts. You can find the survey here: forms.gle/3o2K6cfakqqS...

ACCESS SERVICES FOR THE MEDIA, LIVE EVENTS AND THE ARTS

The data collected by this study are used for research purposes only and are kept strictly confidential.

forms.gle

1

Dr Simon Ball @simonjball.bsky.social · Jun 10

Please tell me you are also voiced by Miriam Margolyes!

1

Reposted by Dr Simon Ball

Dr Leigh-Anne Perryman @laperryman.bsky.social · Mar 20

Cut-off date for applications to study Open University Masters in Online Teaching, fully-funded by a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship is 28 March. Details: https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/MAOT/index.php/2024/02/27/maot-commonwealth-distance-learning-scholarships-2025-entry/.

3 1