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Interest on the part of European Institutions to explore the potential of MOOCs for providing the kind of inclusive and multicultural education that was needed for 21st century learners was confirmed by funding of projects such as EMMA (http://www.europeanmoocs.eu). The definition of "European" for the EMMA consortium was based on diversity--of culture, language and approach--and integration of the same. This paper looks at how EMMA is responding to the challenge of embracing diversity and integration in the same technological artefact through the use of embedded translation services, and an experimental PLE. We will also introduce the ad hoc evaluation services that are designed to test the impact of the EMMA concept. [Note: The attached content shows an incorrect citation. This article was published in v24 n1 Mar 2016.]

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a growing phenomenon in the USA and Europe. A few big American platforms lead the field in terms of numbers of learners, institutions and courses on board. These platforms act as transnational platforms, and attract many European institutions because of the opportunities for visibility and branding they offer. Similarly in Europe, many platforms have emerged but no single pan-European initiative has found its own space. This is probably because of the complexity involved in accommodating diverse languages, cultures and teaching approaches within the rigid structure of a Learning Management System (LMS). This paper looks at one possible response to the challenge of creating a single learning space via a multilingual and multicultural MOOC platform called EMMA, European Multiple MOOC Aggregator. It presents the results of two learner surveys with qualitative and quantitative data analysis collected within the EMMA project which aimed to assess user satisfaction with the learning experience on the platform, and whether it addressed the issue of "cultural diversity." Initial indications suggest that learners appreciated and used the inbuilt translation systems in a multilingual approach, and that learners perceived the features and tools offered by the EMMA platform as European in feel.

The Queensland Smelting Company smelters were established in 1890 to treat base metal ores for all of Queensland, the first time it had been done in the colony. The choice of a site at Aldershot on Saltwater Creek 17 kms north of Maryborough was largely due to the investors' ownership of the land there. Aldershot smelters are an example of British investment in the Australian mining industry in the 1880s. The company employed one of the world's most acclaimed smelter managers, Ernest Weinberg from Anaconda in the United States. The smelters worked efficiently but the company failed for lack of ore and closed in 1906. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An archivist and historian describes the path by which she acknowledged Duncan Waterson and his work. She believes that Duncan has popularized the concept of political biography.

A biography of gold miner Heinrich Carl Wilhelm Buls is presented, with information on his career in mining, Australian mining rights, and his association with other miners and capital resources.

The article talks about the Protestant Unity commune of nineteenth century Queensland, claimed to be the most successful of the 13 rural communes formed during the time, due to its contribution to the development of a prosperous farming area and the town of Pomona.

The speech "A History of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland," delivered by Ruth S. Kerr, is presented. The speech focuses on the history of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) on the occasion of the organization's centenary. Topics addressed include the growth of the Society's membership, relations between the Society and the City Council of Brisbane, Queensland, and the Society's collecting of archival materials related to Queensland's history.

The article discusses the development of mining in Queensland as of August 2013. It examines the technical and industrial expertise, corporate management, and infrastructure involved in the development of mineral deposits in Queensland. The article also discusses the importance of the discovery of gold in Queensland to the mining industry, the economic and social growth of Queensland because of the mining industry, and efforts to preserve Queensland's mining heritage by historical societies.

An obituary for the Anglican priest Rev. Canon Dr John Gladstone Steele is presented.

The article discusses the reopening of Eling Tide Mill in Hampshire, England which was closed for a major refurbishment since 2015 and causeway acts as a dam for millpond and Eling Tide Mill opened as a working heritage site in 1980, producing and selling wholemeal and brown flour.