E-learning, politics and society (P01544)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : EDU-P-P01544

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

? Pre-requisites : An introduction to digital environments for learning (P01038)

? 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.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Education, (The Moray House School of Education, Schedule C)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
18/09/2007	09:00	11:00			Online course, WebCT only

? Additional Class Information : The course will be delivered flexibly and online.

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 (30%), and contributions in other weeks will also be taken into account (20%).

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 3000 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.