Second Life at UWE

Background

 

The Research Observatory (RO) began life as a response to the problem of supporting distance learning students through their Master’s dissertation studies.  Liz Falconer, the project leader, was then Director of the Centre for Distance Education at the University of Bath, following many years experience of developing and leading a multi-modal Masters course at the University of Salford.  It quickly became clear to Liz that one of the most difficult elements of a Masters programme to support at a distance is the dissertation, as there is often a significant gap between attendance at research skills study schools and actually undertaking the research work.  Also, once the research project is underway, students lack face to face access to tutors to “top up” their understanding of basic research skills which are covered in standard texts.  The RO therefore concentrates upon both knowledge transmission and student-centred activities such as diagnostics and decision tools.  Since its inception, the RO has been used increasingly to support students in a range of attendance modes, from support for classroom attended sessions, through blending in partly attended modes, to support for distant students.

We also recognize that we all have a range of learning preferences and abilities.  Some of us like to learn in graphical, visual environments; some through more literal, systematic forms.  There is nothing right or wrong about these preferences, and indeed our preferences can change, depending upon our experiences and on the imperatives we face from time to time.  We have found that some students like to use more than one environment; for example, a metaphoric environment can help in forming ideas, whereas a literal environment enables quick navigation when you know exactly what you want to find out.  So, the RO concentrates upon the ability to change the context or environment for study, but doesn’t require duplication of the basic content.  It also attempts to take the notion of accessibility further than just coping with disability; moving towards accommodating diversity in learning preferences and abilities.

We are now developing Web 2.0 (i.e. social networking) approaches in the RO, with plans for a number of blogs and a virtual RO building in Second Life, along with other initiatives that will explore the effective use of social networking in supporting research studies, both at a distance and as a supplement to attended modes of study.

The project team

Director – Dr Liz Falconer. Email : Liz.Falconer@uwe.ac.uk

Deputy director – Manuel Frutos-Perez. Email : Manuel.Frutos-Perez@uwe.ac.uk

Research Fellow – Dr Olivia Billingham. Email : Olivia.Billingham@uwe.ac.uk

E-learning officer – Mr Mark Shand. Email : Mark.Shand@uwe.ac.uk

You can find out more about us on the e-learning team website or email any of us about the project.