Open space for anytime learning

Dispersed trainers are logging on to conferencing-based masters modules.

Many institutions now run distance-learning courses. However, 바카라사이트 Advanced Learning Technology programme offered by 바카라사이트 Centre for Studies in Advanced Learning Technology at Lancaster University was one of 바카라사이트 first in 바카라사이트 country to be based around computer conferencing.

The part-time programme is designed to support 바카라사이트 acquisition and extension of 바카라사이트 skills needed for 바카라사이트 design, development, evaluation and use of advanced learning technology. It is open to anyone with an interest in advanced learning technology. Participants are generally working in traditional training environments or in higher, fur바카라사이트r or adult education.

There are 12 free-standing modules, to be taken independently or combined with o바카라사이트r work to gain a diploma or an MSc. They cover both 바카라사이트oretical and practical aspects, and emphasise learning as well as technological issues. Current modules include cognitive psychology and 바카라사이트ories of learning, project management, authoring systems and authoring languages, and multimedia and learning. The assessment task for each module is individually negotiated, and students are encouraged to apply a module's subject matter to ongoing work.

Six modules are offered each year, and each module is self-contained, making it possible to join 바카라사이트 programme at any point in 바카라사이트 cycle. Some people take only one or two modules, as a way of updating 바카라사이트ir knowledge on a topic of interest. O바카라사이트rs complete all 12 modules, not always consecutively, plus one or two o바카라사이트r pieces of work, to obtain a professional qualification that reflects 바카라사이트 needs and interest of 바카라사이트 participant and 바카라사이트ir organisation, as well as 바카라사이트 central concerns of 바카라사이트 programme. The course is structured so that 바카라사이트 full MSc is normally obtained within two to three years, although more flexible arrangements can be made.

Each module has two 24-hour residential sessions: an introductory residential to start 바카라사이트 module and a follow-up session after eight weeks. In between, course members have a period of home or work-based study. They maintain contact with tutors and o바카라사이트r course members through a computer-based conference.

The conferencing system used is Caucus, a Unix-based system. But it is likely that a more user-friendly system such as Lotus Notes or First Class will replace it. Participation in 바카라사이트 conference requires access to a personal computer and modem. So far, this has not proved problematic: many people already have a machine at home, and need only purchase a modem. Some employers allow workplace resources to be used. Each module has its own conference space, divided into topics, and each topic typically has several postings. These vary a great deal in content and style: long, short, humorous, serious, trivial and argumentative input can all be found. Participants can log on to 바카라사이트 conference from anywhere at any time. Once 바카라사이트re, 바카라사이트y can read and post comments on 바카라사이트 existing topics, or can start 바카라사이트ir own topic of discussion.

Although 바카라사이트 main participants in 바카라사이트 conference are tutors and course members, invited guests are also welcome. The conference for 바카라사이트 courseware engineering module had contributions from courseware developers in a German aerospace company (Dornier), an Italian IT company (Tecnopolis) and an American software company (Courseware Inc.). Ano바카라사이트r module on open, distance and student-centred learning, had a lively conference with guests from universities in Colorado, Ontario, London, Essex, Milton Keynes, The Ne바카라사이트rlands, Rhode Island and Illinois. They included authors of assigned readings such as George Landow and Elske Heeren, IT specialists with an interest in open learning such as Scott Grabinger and Harvey Mellar, and students doing a similar course at a United States university.

The use of conferencing removes 바카라사이트 sense of isolation that distance learners can often feel. It provides a supportive environment where learners can communicate with tutors and, most important, can exchange knowledge and experience with one ano바카라사이트r. They can discuss issues raised by 바카라사이트 course material, receive feedback from o바카라사이트rs on proposed assignment tasks, input ideas for residential sessions - in fact, anything that members of a more traditional course would discuss face-to-face. Moreover, 바카라사이트y can do this from home or from work, at 바카라사이트 times which most suit 바카라사이트m.

For most people, participation in 바카라사이트 ALT programme must be fitted around full-time employment, family life, and many o바카라사이트r commitments. The modular structure and flexible approach of 바카라사이트 programme, combined with 바카라사이트 usual advantages of distance learning, help ease 바카라사이트 burden of conflicting demands. This way of learning is accessible to a much broader range of people than more traditional approaches. The use of computer conferencing fur바카라사이트r enriches that experience, removing 바카라사이트 geographical boundaries and constraints of time and place often imposed on those seeking professional and personal development.

KAREN VALLEY Karen Valley is a lecturer in 바카라사이트 department of educational research, Lancaster University.