MODULE FROM SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY

COURSE TTILE :

Setting Purposes and Developing the Learning Community

DATES :

Semester Two ( January 27th - April 1997 )

DURATION :

The module is part of a Part Time Med degree in Telematics Learning and requires at least 15 hours study time each week. Some of this time will be spent online communicating with course participants and tutors, finding resources on the Web etc. Other time will be spent reading and preparing course assignments offline.

INSTITUTION OFFERING THE MODULE

University of Sheffield UK, Centre for the Study of Networked Learning,

(Division of Adult Continuing Education and Department of Information Studies ).

CONTENT :

A consideration of the purposes of the Med in networked (Networked) Learning, from both the tutorsí and participantsí perspectives. Developing processes and strategies for the development of the Learning Community.

The role of action research in networked learning will be considered, especialy as it relates to reflective practice on this Programme.

You will be introduced to some of the technology to be used on the Med eg Lotus Notes; Netscape browser and the World Wide Web.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Assignment

-Participants will keep a reflective learning journal Details to be discussed at the beginnning of the course.

-You may prepare a collaborative assignment with another / other particpants

if you wish.The assignment process will involve you working in learning sets where you will use the resources of the set to discuss your assignment, plan it and

carry it out. A tutor will also work with you in the learning set.

Assessment : self / peer / tutor collaborative assessment.

This module has a 30 credit rating in the UK ( equivalent to 5 credits in Norway ?). A certifictae of course completion may be offered for anyone not wishing to work towards credit.

TUTORIAL PROVISION

Participants collaborate on their learning throughout the module, and work in a learning set of about 7 plus a tutor. Tutors will work as part of this community and be available online throughout the Semester.

Tutors are :

Dr David McConnell, Ms Philippa Levy, all from Sheffield University, UK

SOURCES OF MATERIAL

A module reading pack will be provided for each participant. Other learning resources are provided on the Med Home Web page.

FEES

No fees applicable for MECPOL partner students ( but the costs of course books / handouts will have to be paid for by students; this may amount to about 75 pounds sterling ). Otherwise 400.00 pounds sterling.

COMMUNICATION COSTS

Participants are expected to take part in the online seminars and group work regularly every week throughout the Semester. This will require access to the Internet.

PREREQUISITS

Participants will be actively involved in some aspect of teaching, training or librarianship, or be self employed in this field.

Technical requirements :

A PC( 486DX2) with PC Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 with 12 mb Ram and 90mb hard disk space

OR

Mac ( at least 68X00 series or PowerMac) with 16 mb RAM, system 7 and 90 mb hard disk space.

In addition, a printer and modem for Internet access ( or other access to the Internet ) is required.

The module uses the Web, so a browser such as Netscape ( plus FTP etc) is needed. The module also uses LotusNotes, and on registration participants will be provided with a client copy for the purposes of the module.

Considerable self management is required of participants on this module.

LANGUAGE OF THE MODULE

A good command of English is required. Much of the work on the module requires online discussion and group work.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NB A resource pack will be given to all participants on registration

Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 1995 0266-4909 Blackwell Science 378 JOU:Sup 12922

Boud, David (1988) Developing student autonomy in learning. 1850912769 Kogan Page 371.394 BOU:Dev 12789

Canadian Journal of Educational Communication, Vol 16 (2), Spring 1987 Special Issue, Computer Mediated Communication .

Carr , W and S Kemmis Action research as critical education science 1986 1850000891 Falmer Press , P/C 04/1

Cunningham , I (1994) Self managed learning. 056607446X, Gower , P/C 07/1

Davies, G. and Samways, B. (eds) (1993) Teleteaching : Proceedings of the IFIP third teleteaching conference, IFIP, North-Holland.

Elliott, J Action research for education change. 1991 0335096905, OUP, P/C 05/1

Galegher, J., Kraut, RE., Egido, C. (eds), 1990, Intellectual Teamwork : Social and Technological Foundations of Cooperative Work, Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc, Hillsdale, NJ.

Greif, Irene (1988) Computer-supported work. 0934613575 Morgan Kaufmann Publishers 004.019 GRE:Com 12783

Harasim, Linda (editor) (1993) Global networks : Computers and international communication. 0262082225 MIT Press 004.6 HAR:Glo 12820

Harasim, Linda (editor ) (1995) Learning Networks. 0262082365 MIT Press 371.39 HAR:Lea 12814

Hiltz, S R and Turoff, M (1978) The network nation : human communication via computers, Addison Wesley, Reading, Mass.

Kaye, Anthony (editor) (1992) Collaborative learning through computer conferencing : the Najaden Papers. 3540557555 Springer Verlag 374.4 KAY:Col 12807

Kerr , E (1986) Electronic leadership. 0361-1434 IEEE Trans, P/C 02/1

Kling, Rob (1995) Computerization and conflict. 0124150403 Academic Press 301.243 KLI:Com 12905

Mason, R & Kaye, AR (1989) Mindweave: communication,computers and distance education, Pergamon, Oxford. ( on order )

McConnell, David (1994) Implementing computer supported cooperative learning. 0749412372 Kogan Page 371.39 MCC:Imp 12834

Meeks, B (1987) Quiet revolution. 0360-5280 Byte P/C 01/1

Paulsen, M (1994) Some Pedagogical Techniques for Computer-Med 1994 3540557555 Springer Verlag P/C 03/1

Pedler, M (1981) Developing the learning community. 0566021943 Gower P/C 06/1

Reynolds, M (1994) Why groups. 0749410272 Kogan Page P/C 08/1

Sharan, Shlomo (1990) Cooperative learning. 027592887X Praeger 371.37 SHA:Coo 12787

Slavin, Robert (1990) Cooperative learning : Theory, research and practice. 0131725947 Allyn and Bacon 371.37 SLA:Coo 12818

Sproul, Lee (1991) Connections. 026219306x MIT Press

CONTACT

Please contact Dr David McConnell ( email : d.mcconnell@sheffield.ac.uk ) if you have any queries or questions about participating in the course.