1. www.le.ac.uk/beyonddistance www.le.ac.uk/mediazoo ALT Learning Technologist of the year : Team award 2009 European foundation for quality in e-learning Unique Award winner DUCKILNG Voice Boards Beyond Distance Research Alliance University of Leicester

2. A Voice Board e-tivity

3. A Voice Board e-tivity - continued

4. Benefits to learners FindingsKey points Adding a human dimension Reduces isolation, remoteness Creates a feeling of ‘real’ and ‘personal’ Draws people closer, builds relationship Brings distance learning programme to life Enables a feeling of being in a seminar environment similar to campus learning Advantages of voice- over text-based communication Expresses emotions, tones and intonations better than in text Clarifies messages to avoid misinterpretation Captures participants’ attitudes and topical stands Stimulates and invites to read and participate more Encourages to articulate points Assessment through interactive tasks Enables feedback from tutors and peers Generates additional discussions around the tasks Encourages to study readings recommended by peers Motivates to study more and perform better (to avoid ‘sound stupid’)

5. Learners’ voices Listen to Adam’s feedback : hearing voices