Postgraduate Course: E-learning, politics and society (EDUA11151)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Education |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
http://www.education.ed.ac.uk/e-learning/ |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course examines certain sociological and political aspects of online learning. It looks at changes in online culture and ideologies under the influence of governments, corporations and society at large, the role of educational institutions in those developments in particular, and the potential for e-learning to help students negotiate the emerging social and political landscape of the online world. Themes include the social, political and economic forces behind the development of the Internet and e-learning, the digital divides in early 21st century society, the role of e-learning in changing people's social and political identities, and the intellectual property disputes shaping the future of the Internet, e-learning, and education and training.
The course will feature student interaction and discussion of its core themes using a community weblog/discussion board environment of a kind that plays host to socio-political discussions around the Web. Students will be encouraged to consider the broader social and political implications of the online environment, and how education and e-learning are preparing them and their peers for the "information society". |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
An introduction to digital environments for learning (EDUA11110)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Students will be required to have regular access to a networked computer, and will be responsible for providing their own computing equipment and consumables. Broadband is recommended. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the participants will have:
a critical understanding of distinctive social and political features of the online environment, including its historical and ideological underpinnings;
an ability to analyse and assess the role of educational institutions in the development of the online environment;
critical awareness of the social and political context and implications of e-learning;
an ability to synthesise concepts introduced in the course into an understanding of how change is negotiated in the online world, and how online skills prepare us for such negotiation and change. |
Assessment Information
Part 1 (50%): community weblog
Each student will be expected to take a particular lead in gathering links and references and discussing the week's topic on two occasions, and contributions in other weeks will also be taken into account.
Part 2 (50%): assignment
Participants will produce an assignment relating to one or more of the themes or issues they have encountered during the course. This will be the equivalent of up to 2500 words (excluding references and bibliography), but does not have to take the form of a traditional essay, though it can if wished. Other possibilities include a wiki, a self-contained website, or a selection of personal weblog or online journal entries. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Rory Ewins
Tel: (0131 6)51 4789
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Gemma Hennessey
Tel: (0131 6)51 4241
Email: |
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