<span>In response to recent social, economic, and pedagogical challenges to tertiary-level teaching and learning, universities are increasingly investigating and adopting e-learning as a way to engage and motivate students. This paper reports on the first year of a two-year (2009-2010) qualitative multiple case study research project in New Zealand. Using perspectives from activity theory and the scholarship of teaching, the research has the overall goal of documenting, developing, and disseminating effective and innovative practice in which e-learning plays an important role in tertiary teaching. A "snapshot" of each of the four 2009 cases and focused findings within and across cases are provided. This is followed by an overall discussion of the context, "within" and "across" case themes, and implications of the research.</span>
This paper reports on an in depth evaluation of a distance format Applied Linguistics course in which web based computer conferencing was used as a tool to support student knowledge construction and collaborative group work. Students and their teacher reflected on what they expected from the course, whether or not computer supported discussion was effective for personal learning, and how e-learning environments could be improved. The findings are reported within categories of social cohesion and the role of online discussion to support meaningful experiential learning. More generally, the paper discusses how situated evaluation can help educators gain a better understanding of the roles of task, structure, and language use in e-learning environments.
This paper will report on findings from the author's on-going study of the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to support postgraduate second-language teacher education. Students enrolled in a distance education CALL course used web-based conferencing to support both required and optional computer-based assignments. Transcripts of their online communication were analyzed to determine what they discussed and whether social cohesion was enhanced through use of CMC. Findings from the study are reported according to organizing categories of social interaction and different tasks that can affect online communicative exchanges. More broadly, the article discusses curriculum design features and their implications for technology-enhanced instructional practice.
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