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From D to E: a journey of compromise and detours

A paper accepted for the Higher Education Academy Information and Computer Sciences Subject Centre annual conference, 2011.

This paper was accepted for the HEA ICS eTeaching and Learning workshop, 1 June 2011, Greenwich and will be published in the event proceedings available from  http://www.ics.heacademy.ac.uk/. It is made available here with the permission of the HEA ICS Subject Centre. 

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Abstract

This paper examines the process of changing the mode of delivering distance learning materials on a Postgraduate Information and Library Studies course from paper based to online e-learning.  It discusses the rationale behind the move, and opportunities and obstacles that are faced in the transition.  The paper takes Laurillard’s (2002) principles which argued that University teaching should be discursive, interactive, adaptive and reflective.  Analysis of an existing print distance learning module identified limited opportunities for discourse, interaction and adaptation, with strong emphasis on independence and reflection.  Expectations of learners and teachers have changed, as have the opportunities for e- learning (JISC 2007; JISC 2009).  It is against this background of change that this paper examines the revision of an existing print based module on the Information and Library Studies programme and the way that e-learning was adopted as a means of increasing the peer-to-peer and learner-teacher discourse via a social environment.  The development offered an opportunity to engage with learners, in a manner that reflects the current information environment which for learners is increasingly online, social, and dynamic.  The development aimed to move beyond replicating the print medium (Bates, 1995) and exploit the media affordances of the online tools to enrich the learning experience.  The teaching staff have balanced pedagogical aims with what is physically possible within the constraints of the department.  Using Moodle VLE, Wimba Create, a Flip cam, Windows Movie Maker and AberCast the authors have created an e-learning course that has met some if not all of the initial aims.  Ultimately the paper points to the real need for a balance of pedagogy, content, ambition, and practicality to support successful course developments.