Egyptology Online Ann Barlow Ashley Cooke University of Manchester

Background Nature of the programme – long standing distance learning adult course Student body – diverse both in experience and location Attraction of the subject – academic and esoteric Tutor team – freelance and detached

Rationale for conversion Increasing international interest Cost-implications of distributing printed material Maintaining academic currency Learning experience dependent on visual materials Need for student interaction

Team approach to course conversion Project managed by Centre for Continuing Education Material revised by Course Director – Professor of Egyptology Online delivery designed and implemented by Distributed Learning team using WebCT

Evaluation Pre-launch evaluation by tutor team as part of training for e- tutoring Students aware of the course as a pilot and encouraged to feed back regularly Online end of year survey

Reflections Achieved interaction Established a cohesive tutor team More able to monitor potential withdrawal Response times much quicker Students not as computer literate as expected Drowning in information Underestimated preparation needed for e-dicussion