Networked Learning in Context: What does e-learning offer students working independently, and what do they bring to it?

About the book:The chapters in this book, written by authors around the globe, provide detailed analysis and discussion of the changes distance education is going through as a result of technology. The authors originally presented their findings at the 21st World Conference of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE). The book is organized into three sections: Issues: provides a focus on issues that currently face those applying technology in distance education contexts. Teaching and learning with technology: offers a range of perspectives and case studies on current experience of technology's role in distance education. Innovative approaches: presents a series of examples of applications that are advancing the use of technology in distance education. The book will be of interest to all educators who seek to make use of new and emerging technologies to enrich their students's learning

Developing an On-Line Interactive Health Psychology Module.

On-line teaching material in health psychology was developed which ensured a range of students could access appropriate material for their course and level of study. This material has been developed around the concept of smaller 'content chunks' which can be combined into whole units of learning (topics), and ultimately, a module. On the basis of the underlying philosophy that the medium is part of the message, we considered interactivity to be a key element in engaging the student with the material. Consequently, the key aim of this development was to stimulate and engage students, promoting better involvement with the academic material, and hence better learning. It was hoped that this was achieved through the development of material including linked programmes and supporting material, small Java Scripts and basic email, forms and HTML additions. This material is outlined as are some of the interactive activities introduced, and the preliminary student and tutor experience described