step-by-step route

• introductory guide
• glossary
• unit specification
• assessment guide
• study section 1

• study section 2

assessment route

activity route

links

faq

AIMS

- To get an overview of online learning and its strengths and weaknesses.

- To prompt you to start building an awareness of existing research, and online resources.

- To give you the opportunity to raise questions and provide each other with answers.

- To practice for later activities, and start formulating ideas and identifying resources for the final assessment.

INSTRUCTIONS

- Take a look at the two links below and read more about the topic of online learning:

http://www.svc.org.uk/svcintro/svc.html#ol_intro

http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/mindweave/mindweave.html

As you read, think about the differences between online learning and other forms of learning, particularly conventional distance learning and classroom-based learning.

Try to think of the differences from both the learner's and the tutor/facilitator's point of view.

Please note that you are not expected to read everything, but should be aware of the resources available and topics covered so that you can return to sites and find information you need as you progress with the programme. Feel free to explore, and identify areas you feel would be particularly useful to you.

It is recommended that you take notes, and get in touch with your facilitator and other course participants to discuss any questions you have as they arise.

If you really have no questions or comments, you should still send a message to your facilitator and other candidates to let them know what you have read.

Include URLs of any other pages or sites you come across on the topic of online learning that you find useful or interesting.

Try to take an active part in any discussions that emerge. Contact your facilitator if you have any difficulties using email or any forum that you use.

Website references

http://www.svc.org.uk/svcintro/svc.html#ol_intro

This page (from the part of the page linked to) provides a very brief description of online learning. Think about whether you agree with it or not, and whether there are any observations you would add.

Follow up (using group email or a conference):

Do you agree with the author of the page? Are there any points you feel unsure about? Are there any comments you would add? Is online learning just like distance learning? What differences, if any, do you think there are?

http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/mindweave/mindweave.html

This is an entire book (now out of print). Although published in 1987, a long time before the emergence of the WWW, it is still remarkably relevant. You do not need to read all of it now (if at all), but should at least read Chapter 1 and look at the titles of the other chapters in order to get an overview. You may well find much of it useful to return to throughout the programme.

- Use AskJeeves http://www.askjeeves.com/ or a search engine of your choice to find additional pages on online learning. Email the URLs of five pages (e.g. articles) or sites that you find particularly useful, informative or interesting, with other candidates, as well as your facilitator. It would be useful if you could provide a brief description of each.

Feel free to explore extensively in your own time, and follow your own particular areas of interest. It is not necessary to wait until this activity is completed before progressing with other activities. In a sense, it may never be completed if you use a conference to discuss issues raised. If the threads remain relevant to the programme topics, and your needs and interests, they may even continue after the programme.

A sample answer for Part 1 of this activity is provided. The purpose of providing an answer at this stage in the programme is to provide you with some assurance that your answers are along the right lines before you submit it to others for discussion and debate. This will help you to gain confidence before the daunting task of participating in an online discussion.

It is important that you do participate in online discussions. Apart from anything else, it will allow you to experience what it is like.

This is the only sample answer provided in the programme. In future activities you should use email or online discussion to get feedback from your facilitator and others on the programme.

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