BFL initiatives launched in Bathurst

Director of the FLI, Professor Mike Keppell and Deputy Director, A/Prof Merilyn Childs, at the launch of the "Practitioner's Voice" DVD

Last Wednesday, FLI launched a range of initiatives to support course teams in developing a course-based BFL strategy. We've since announced most of those initiatives independently here on this blog: the BFL wiki, course team symposiums, the 'Exploring Good Practice' DVD, our Delicious bookmarking site and of course, this blog itself.

It was great to see so many people at the launch - Prof Ross Chambers, our DVC, and A/Prof Ken Dillon, our new Dean of Studies were there, along with Katherine Klapdor, Director of Educational Design and Media, former and current teaching fellows, and a range of staff from across the university, particularly Learning and Teaching Services.

We have recorded the launch, and hope to have this available soon to those who were unable to make it. If you're interested in viewing a trailer of the DVD, check it out here:



Otherwise, please contact FLI for your copy.

So where to now?

Well, there's quite a bit happening over the next few months:

• On August 18, we'll be facilitating a CSUDegree bookclub event around BFL - for more information, check What's New. 
• Following on from the bookclub, we'll be holding a series of special 59mins@FLI online meetings around each of the 5 perspective areas. 
• Three more symposiums are being offered - deadline 31 August, 2011.
• We'll be distributing the Good Practice DVD more widely, especially to L&T committees. If you'd like to get in early, contact fli@csu.edu.au
• We'll be holding two workshops and some presentations at CSUEd in November - one on developing your own DIY course symposium, and another on the aspirational framework. 
• We'll be building on the material already included in the BFL wiki, including more case studies.

Thanks to the many people who made the DVD happen: of course, to James Childs-Maidement, our fantastic Media Officer who did all the filming and editing; to Amy Felke for her assistance in locating CSU images; to the LTS production staff, especially Ian Lloyd, Ian Hamilton and Tony O'Neill; to LTS' educational design team for ongoing feedback; and especially to our FLI Teaching Fellows - Yann Guisard, Jenny Sappey, Chris Bushell, Brad Edlington, Lyn Hay, Jacquie Tinkler, Lucy Webster, John Rafferty, Richard Taffe - for so graciously sharing their insights and experiences in relation to blended and flexible learning.

Let the mad rumpus begin!