The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Abstract

The workshop will explore the changing literacy practices of tutors and learners working in an electronic environment. It will focus on case study material from an innovative web-based teacher-training programme and will reflect on the experience of authoring electronic learning materials, participation in focused IRCs and e-mail conferencing. Related issues of pedagogy and non-linear learning will be addressed and the workshop will explore how tutors and students define and re-define their relationship through the language of computer-mediated communication. The challenge of re-focusing training from face-to-face to distance learning has provided a rich arena for new literacy research and our analysis will make reference to the four intersections of literacy and technology outlined by Bigum and Greene (1999). We will also focus on interaction between students, and between students and tutors, through a small-scale study of language use and language change in electronic media.

We will address the challenges of writing web-based material that preserves sound pedagogic values whilst exploring the possibilities of new kinds of interactivity. On-line access to the website will be provided to illustrate its developing functionality.

Bionotes

Both presenters work in the School of Education at Sheffield Hallam University and have extensive experience of initial and in-service training.

Paul Dickinson runs the Secondary English teacher-training programme (11-18) and is piloting a flexible learning approach involving web-based learning. He has led a number of national workshops for the Teacher Training Agency and other professional groups. He is currently completing a publication to support the National Literacy Strategy at Key Stage 3.

Guy Merchant is also involved in designing and writing distance learning materials and has recently completed a research study of language and literacy in IRCs. He is a founding editor of the international Journal of Early Childhood Literacy and has published widely in the area of literacy.

Comment

Our workshop is aimed at Theme 3 but also addresses issues identified in Theme 2

Presentation Type
60 min. Workshop

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests
Data projector, internet link if possible

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
England