ABSTRACT

E-learning is at an exciting point in its development; its potential in terms of research is great and its impact on institutional practices is fully recognised. This book defines e-learning as a field of research, highlighting the complex issues, activities and tensions that characterise the area.

Written by a team of experienced researchers and commented upon by internationally recognised experts, this book engages researchers and practitioners in critical discussion and debate about the findings emerging from the field and the associated impact on practice. Key topics examined include:

  • access and inclusion
  • the social-cultural contexts of e-learning
  • organisational structures, processes and identities
  • technical aspects of learning research – using tools and resources
  • approaches to learning and teaching practices and associated learning theories
  • designing for e-learning and the management of educational resources
  • professional roles and identities
  • the evolution of e-assessment
  • collaboration, motivation and educational evaluation.

Contemporary Perspectives in E-Learning Research provides a synthesis of research, giving readers a grounding in contemporary e-learning scholarship whilst identifying the debates that make it such a lively and fast-moving area. A landmark text in an evolving field, this book will prove invaluable for all researchers, practitioners, policy makers and students who engage with e-learning.

part |2 pages

PART 1 Macro dimensions of e-learning

chapter 1|18 pages

Introduction

ByGRÁINNE CONOLE, MARTIN OLIVER

chapter 2|17 pages

Knowledge, society and perspectives on learning technology

ByMARTIN OLIVER, GEORGE ROBERTS, HELEN BEETHAM

chapter 3|17 pages

A critique of the impact of policy and funding

ByGRÁINNE CONOLE, JANICE SMITH, SU WHITE

chapter 4|14 pages

The design of learning technologies

ByJOHN COOK, SU WHITE, MIKE SHARPLES, NIALL SCLATER

chapter 5|13 pages

The impact of e-learning on organisational roles and structures

ByGRÁINNE CONOLE, SU WHITE, MARTIN OLIVER

chapter 6|17 pages

Learning theory and its application to e-learning

ByMARTIN DYKE, GRÁINNE CONOLE, ANDREW RAVENSCROFT

part |2 pages

PART 1I Micro dimensions of e-learning

chapter 7|20 pages

Designing for learning

ByGRÁINNE CONOLE, MARTIN OLIVER, ISOBEL FALCONER

chapter 8|13 pages

Designing digital resources for learning

ByJANE SEALE, TOM BOYLE, BRUCE INGRAHAM, GEORGE ROBERTS

chapter 9|13 pages

Managing educational resources

ByALLISON LITTLEJOHN, JOHN COOK, LORNA CAMPBELL

chapter 10|13 pages

E-assessment

ByNIALL SCLATER, GRÁINNE CONOLE, BILL WARBURTON

chapter 11|14 pages

Academic literacy in the 21st century

ByBRUCE INGRAHAM, PHIL LEVY, COLLEEN MCKENNA

chapter 12|16 pages

Collaboration

ByCHRIS JONES, JOHN COOK, ANN JONES AND MAARTEN DE LAAT

chapter 13|13 pages

Learning technologies: Affective and social issues

ByANN JONES, KIM ISSROFF

chapter 14|14 pages

Evaluation

ByMARTIN OLIVER, JEN HARVEY, GRÁINNE CONOLE, ANN JONES

chapter 15|7 pages

Conclusion

ByMARTIN OLIVER, GRÁINNE CONOLE