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AIMS
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To get an overview of online learning and its strengths
and weaknesses.
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To prompt you to start building an awareness of existing
research, and online resources.
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To give you the opportunity to raise questions and provide
each other with answers.
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To practice for later activities, and start formulating
ideas and identifying resources for the final assessment.
INSTRUCTIONS
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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.
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Use AskJeeves http://www.askjeeves.com/
or a search engine of your choice to find additional pages
on online learning. You might like to share the URLs of
pages 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.
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