Networked Learning Conference 2004 |
Proceedings / Symposia / Symposium 7 / Papers
Organised by: Rachel Harrris
OVERVIEW OF SYMPOSIUM
This symposium will present different perspectives on research in the field
of online learning communities. As well as providing an overview of the influence
of differing theoretical frameworks on research methodologies, the symposium
will highlight key issues that need to be addressed to enable research in
this area to move forward. While emphasizing the value of diversity in approaches,
theoretical influences and methodologies, the need for some common ground
will be explored.
Online learning communities have become a popular focus for research. The symposium
will start with a paper that provides a brief overview of some of the research
approaches used in this area, noting the significance of socialisation and
learning, and highlighting the theoretical frameworks that have informed the
choice of methodologies in previous work.
The second paper draws from Activity Theory and Moore’s Theory of Transactional
Distance to provide a framework for the development of “conceptual anchors” (representations
of potentially critical context measures), which may facilitate research from
particular perspectives, or common research across different settings. To substantiate
the arguments for such a framework, a demonstration of its application for
two studies into online course activity will be made at the conference. The
first looks at task development and conceptual change, the second for possible
influences of gender.
Research should look to investigate whether in setting boundaries some learners
are excluded, or if the pressure to conform results in the devaluation of differences.
Research itself clearly therefore needs to reflect on issues of inclusion and
alienation, and on the nature of electronic communication practices as social
action in the wider cultural and critical sense. The third paper will thus
draw on a perspective from New Literacy Studies, picking up on the need to
ensure appropriate triangulation of methodologies, so that they do not inadvertently
conspire to silence individuals by only using methods such as transcript analysis,
which by definition only takes account of people who contribute to discussion.
The symposium relates to the conference themes of e-learning and distributed
communities, but particularly to methodologies for researching NL.
The Literacies of Online Learning:
a Linguistic-Ethnographic Approach to Research on Virtual Learning Communities
Robin Goodfellow
Frameworks for the Representation
and Analysis of Networked Learning Activity
Erica McAteer and Sally Marsden
Online Learning Community
Research - Some Influences of Theory on Methods
Rachel Harris and Alison Muirhead