Dr Debra HovenAthabasca University, Canada

ATL-C 2008

Leeds, UK: 9-11th September 2008

Open university … & all that entailsFully online MDE programAction research study

Identification & specification Issues & conflicts

TransitionsTechnology

Causes & possible solutions “traditional” Distance Education (DE) learnerTransitionsWhat the literature has to say …

Consultation with colleagues & students (past & present)Resolutions & revisions of pedagogical & interaction

approach with students

Experiential learningTask/project-based learningCollaborative learning

Community of mutually-supportive reflective inquirersExtended community of experts-novicesCommunity of learner-practitioners

Ecological constructivism: the ecologies emerging and morphing from

the affordances perceived by members of communities (e.g. teachers and learners)

with pedagogies, technologies, content and other artefacts of our real and virtual worlds

Self-reflection on beliefs & valuesExposure to choiceExperience of affordances Consciousness of conflict/dysjuncture

• Exposure to modelling of effective uses of technology• Experience & practice in a range of applications facilitating change in attitudes/beliefs

(Richardson & Placier, 2001; King, 2002; Bird & Rosaen, 2005; Brook & Oliver, 2005; Hughes, 2005)

… and leading to ecological constructivist locations, spaces and interactions

6

1. (Multi/Hyper)media

2. Roles of learners & learning

3. Intercultural issues of learning & teaching using technology

4. Research methodolgies appropriate for technology-enhanced learning

5. Roles of social networking software in learning

6. Communication, Community, Culture & Learning: new roles for teachers, learners & content

Nodes of tension from transition:Modes of teaching & learningExpectationsPedagogiesLearner profilesAssessment

Nodes of transition (teachers, learners & pedagogy):individual-community (private vs public spaces)mandatory-expected

extension of f2f or something else? Transactional distance vs transactional control

Cognitive, social & emotional presence + ownership choice-bounds

Institutional Administrative Pedagogical Time Evaluation Experience with & acceptance of technology

… and how each conceives of these

Predominantly asynchronousTime-poor studentsFiercely self-directed“open” admissions policy

Just attending to the work-life harmony is always a bit of challenge. (Week 3)

I am feeling the distance education blues! I would love to sit with you in a classroom and talk about distance education and language teaching/learning. In 30 minutes we could cover so much ground that in e-mail just could not happen :( (Week 4)

My name is [name] and I am registered in [course]. I have been very quiet, but I am here! I have been dealing with a death in the family, but I fully intend on catching up in this course. I haven't had a chance to participate in the forums, but I will be handing in the first assignment as required. I'm looking forward to being a more active participant in the near future! (week 4 – chose to work alone)

Now, if we want to built and or write to each other, we must do so using tech that is outside of the course! We have a space to put up our presentation and present, but we do not have our own private forum or wiki space to talk/write! (Week 4)

I think the experience has been just super! However, I am more than a bit of a "social butterfly" -- love to hear people's stories!! Also I have a great partner in A … (week 6)

The reason I asked about the times is [my partner] and I would like to offer Skype and vRoom sessions to every one next week about Blended Learning and learn more about their article if anyone is interested -- our 'face-to-face' learning component of DE. We have a Zentation presentation I was working on to show some of the learners that haven't had much experience with social software one of the applications. (week 7)

Sorry to add to the stress level; however, I started to read your Announcement just after I was on the Icelandic site and I have the following question: On the Icelandic site it says:

Submit your final presentation during [week 7] comment on at least two (no later than [week 8]) So does that mean we should have all our posting for the Icelandic site completed by Monday and then our commenting, etc is available until the following Friday (week 8) or do I have my dates mixed up? (Week 7 – chose to work alone)

This format is new to me so I am learning as I go and not yet very comfortable with the forums particularly, however, my understanding is that your expectation is for us to post at least once to the questions you are posing within the units. You posed two questions in the first unit and I did make a response to both. Was I to do something different here? Although I read the postings of others I feel in many cases there is sufficient said and I do not feel that I have anything of significance to add. (week 8 – chose to work alone)

If I have missed something or misunderstood the requirements please let me know as it is my desire to do well in this program. (week 8 – chose to work alone)

I posted my assignment on Sunday as per plan and have already made a few entries in others postings as instructed … I noted that you had posted new instructions concerning the posting of this assignment. I noted I was to have posted to the Iceland site. I am confused as my understanding was that participation with the Iceland site was voluntary and I was not planning to participate, although I was going to take a look at the site when I had the opportunity. … I am happy to comply with what ever you want us to do but I am confused by contradicting instructions. (Week 9 – chose to work alone)

My issue is not with the postings and responses to my classmates at all I will do that I actually look forward to it. I have yet to have anyone respond to my post so that has not happened as yet. I have posted to several others and am quite enjoying them. (Week 9 – worked alone)

More permeable:Reflective practice in

Personally-controlled but public spaces shared collaborative spacesLearner owning & shaping of shared spaces

AppearanceTools selectedModes of interaction (continua)

Teacher modelling of these

Principles of transparencyMulti-directional negotiation of spaces & their useMutually-agreed criteria for

participationBehaviourAssessment

Questions?Comments?Suggestions?Advice?

debrah@athbascau.ca

Skype: dlh_downunder

Blogs: http://deincanada.blogspot.com/ http://lifentheuniverse.blogspot.com/

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