Karen’s research Online learning communities
Current research activities Asynchronous online communication Wikis in T175 Wikis & forums for T209 Synchronous communication Elluminate for numeracy tutorials in T175 Book about online learning communities To be published by Routledge in 2010
Work on Wikis Part of my COLMSCT project With JohnW, Helen, Judith Finish journal paper on T175 work Analyse qualitative data on T209 work Prepare presentation on T209 for ALT-C (Next year) write journal paper on T209
Work on Elluminate Part of my COLMSCT project With FrancesC, Helen, Judith & Hazel Analyse data from students and ALs Prepare presentations for MSOR & OU CETL conferences (Next year) write journal paper
Book writing 80,000 words by Jan 5 th 2010! 9 chapters Good practice guide Refers to research findings Includes case studies (worldwide) Includes discussion of web 2.0 tools Focuses on social aspects
Book overview (chapters 1-4) 1. Introduction 2. Theories of learning in online communities 3. Tools for online learning communities 4. Benefits and problems of online learning communities
Book overview (chapters 5-9) 5. Too much information 6. Feeling connected 7. Assessment for learning in online communities 8. Supporting online learning communities 9. Lessons and issues
Case studies (chapters 1-4) Hope this helps: peer learning using discussion forums (UKOU) The Inquiry Learning Forum: peer support for in-service teachers (USA) Ekademia: an online environment using Elgg social software (Denmark) Building community and identity: blogging in teacher education (Australia) Culture clash: problems with cross-boundary collaboration (Canada & New Zealand)
Case studies (chapters 5-9) (more needed) Sorting the wheat from the chaff (UKOU) Speaking together: audio-conferencing for language learning (Catalonia) Online teams: group projects using wikis and forums (UKOU)