Studying via distance learning

I recently started studying for an MA in ICT & Education at Leeds University via distance learning. I have been asked by my tutor to keep a journal of my experiences – and it made sense to me to intergrate it with my existing blog.

I attend weekly sessions that take place online. The current module I am studying is called Learning with Virtual Worlds. We previously studied a number of Integrated Learning Systems - that are teaching machines very much based on the behaviourist learning model. Learners progress at their own pace and the computer carefully tracks the students progress through the course. My experiences as a teacher have led me to believe that learning always takes place within a social context. Learning is a collaborative process that never seems to follow the expected smooth upward path. Learning, in my experience, happens in fits and starts. I, therefore, found the concept of a Integrated Learning System rather unappealing (all rather too Brave New World for my liking). All the reading I have done around the subject seems to rather confirm my initial sentiment. Learning machines, on their own, don’t work.

This weeks session is on the subject of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC). As part of the course we use a system called First Class. Their are synchronous and asynchronous discussions. I must admit that I am rather comfortable with the format. I feel comfortable in the online environment. I can participate from anywhere I have access to an Internet connected computer (work, home, the pub). I love having a text copy of all the online discussions that take place (my hand scrawled tutorial notes taken at university were always completely incomprehensible to be when I went back over them). I like being able to have easy access to other students notes – it seems to make the whole learning experience more collaborative.

CMC is also of particular interest to me because of my work with ASD learners (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). I have noticed that many of the communication difficulties are minimised when they use CMC. Many of them love to use collaborative online games (Runescape, Club Penguin, World of Warcraft etc). I have always found it interesting that they appear to be expert at collaborating within these games – and yet often find face-to-face communication much more difficult. Of course – the social rules and norms are normally much more logical and systematic online than they are face-to-face.

However, I am not really sure why CMC appeals to ASD learners so much – but I do look forward to trying to find out!