Derek Harding Novel Approaches to Learning On-line

Introduction Main points –Learning and teaching online is not the same as conventional approaches (even though there may be some similarities) –Newcomers tend to make the mistake of thinking about the technology rather than the learning it helps facilitate –Newcomers also tend to make the mistake of thinking about content rather than pedagogical design

Considerations What approaches work best? –Inclusive: participants work as a team –Empowering: students are allowed to take a considerable degree of control over their own learning –Flexible: responsive to changing needs of students and the contexts they are working in

Examples Simple Interactive lectures Media rich activities Webquests bout_webquests.html bout_webquests.html Discussion groups Empowering the students

Conclusion Learning is more of a group activity with tutors acting as facilitators Students use their peers as well as tutors to help them learn Requires trust between the learners and tutors Good pedagogical design results in rich learning experiences for students and a better working environment for staff