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An Investigation into the Social Learning Environment of On-Line Students
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An Investigation into the Social Learning Environment of On-Line Students John O’Donoghue Gurmak Singh National ICT Research Centre, UK 6 – 8 August 2001 Madison, Wisconsin
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An Investigation into the Social Learning Environment of On-Line Students. John O’Donoghue Gurmak Singh National ICT Research Centre, UK 6 – 8 August 2001 Madison, Wisconsin. BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL LEARNING. Liberation of the students from regimented conduct of traditional universities - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of An Investigation into the Social Learning Environment of On-Line Students
An Investigation into the Social Learning
Environment of On-Line Students
John O’DonoghueGurmak Singh
National ICT Research Centre, UK6 – 8 August 2001
Madison, Wisconsin
BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL LEARNING
Liberation of the students from regimented conduct of traditional universities
“In-time learning” allows the curriculum to become more fluent to suit the needs of the learners
Shift from the traditional “print culture” to a more sensory culture
……………….
PARADIGMATIC SHIFTS
New emphasis on social contexts for learning
Learning occurs outside the classroom environment
Removal of traditional boundaries to learning
FINDINGS First order relationships:
TUTOR TO LEARNER
Second order relationships:LEARNER TO LEARNER
Third order relationships:LEARNER TO OTHER UNITS
Fourth order relationships:LEARNER TO WIDER SOCIETY
THREE FORMS OF LEARNING
RELATIONSHIPS1. EXPLORATIVE
- learning is about discovery
2. FORMATIVE- building of understanding
3. COMPARATIVE- acceptance into the social group
FINDINGS (cont…)1. First order relationships
Communication
(formative)
Learning Experience (formative)
Feedback(formative)
Variations
2. Second order relationships
Social Environment(formative)
Group Membership
(comparative)
Accountability
(comparative)
Confirmation(formative)
3. Third order relationships
Routing Information(formative)
Instant Access
Focused Guidance
(formative)4. Fourth order relationships
Specialist Guidance(comparative)
Use of IT Verification(formative)
RESEARCH DESIGN
Interpretive single case study
Unstructured group interviews
Semi-structured individual interviews
OBSERVATIONS
OBSERVATION 1Outcome based approach -
“Reverse Learning”
Implications:
Design on-line material ‘back to front’Widen learner experience at the end
OBSERVATION 2Learners do not want to be taught on-line
Implications:‘Directed’ facilitating approachesRouting to appropriate sitesLearning styles to incorporate ‘Theorists and pragmatists’
OBSERVATION 3Interventions to change from informative/confrontational to catalytic/supportive
Implications:Acknowledgement by departmental heads of training and resource issue.
Change in teaching to counselling/facilitating paradigm.
OBSERVATION 4Mature, self motivated students plan and develop their own programme of study
Implications:
Tutors to balance learning programmes between democratic and laissez-faire approaches
Need for strong induction programme
OBSERVATION 5Learners prefer small groups rather than large groups with no individual identity
Implications:Encourage group/team cohesion (team building)
Understanding of socio-economic factors related to successful groups
Conclusion
Mature, self motivated students
Change in teaching approach
Design by interaction
Learning may take place in a wider context
