1. Karen’s research Online learning communities

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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)