Cases: On-line On-campus - Eileen Honan

Keywords
online communication, peer-led discussion, discussion forums, seminar

How online discussions facilitated by learners can extend on traditional seminars.

Click on the microphone to hear the entire case study or select relevant sections from the text below. [AUDIO TRANSCRIPT]

Eileen Honan, a 2003 online teaching and learning fellow, set out to explore the operational, cultural and critical issues related to the development of an online discussion space for on campus students.

Eileen's project was conducted during semester 1 2003 of ECL210 Language and Literacy: The Early Years. She describes the course and context here and here . Of particular interest is Eileen's experience in using both a new courseware management system, Deakin Studies Online, and developing her learning contexts through the online medium for the first time. Eileen's experience is immensely valuable both to experienced online facilitators looking at applying sound pedagogical practice to their context and for facilitators new to teaching and learning online.

In the case study Eileen discusses her aims with the course both from a personal perspective and in fitting with the Department of Education's imperatives in online teaching and learning. She describes how she gets started both from a development (technical issues) and design (pedagogical) perspective.

In terms of planning and designing the course Eileen provides a practical perspective on issues facing an academic setting up a course for the first time. She talks about her decision to have separate discussion spaces for each tutorial group and group dynamics.

While talking about her teaching Eileen first covers some very interesting thoughts regarding, among other things some pretty practical thoughts on communication and participation . These are further developed in her thoughts regarding student moderation and the practicalities of implementing some of these ideas.

She goes on to talk in more detail about her overall online class management including issues relating to the difference between discussing and responding and learner experiences online.

Eileen continues by reflecting on her own role in the discussion and the positive and negative outcomes of the experience, including the benefits of social network formation and the challenges of misguided expert association. Finally she considers her future in online teaching and learning - which is something we'll be following with interest!