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E-learning Theory and Practice
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E-learning Theory and Practice



April 2011 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

In E-learning Theory and Practice the authors set out different perspectives on e-learning. The book deals with the social implications of e-learning, its transformative effects, and the social and technical interplay that supports and directs e-learning.

The authors present new perspectives on the subject by:

  • Exploring the way teaching and learning are changing with the presence of the Internet and participatory media
  • Providing a theoretical grounding in new learning practices from education, communication and information science
  • Addressing e-learning in terms of existing learning theories, emerging online learning theories, new literacies, social networks, social worlds, community and virtual communities, and online resources
  • Emphasizing the impact of everyday electronic practices on learning, literacy and the classroom, locally and globally.

This book is for everyone involved in e-learning. Teachers and educators will gain an understanding of new learning practices, and learners will gain a sense of their new role as active participants in classroom and lifelong learning. Graduate students and researchers will gain insight into the direction of research in this new and exciting area of education and the Internet.

 
Acknowledgements
 
Introduction: New Learning Practices
What's New in Learning?

 
What is Driving New Conditions for Learning?

 
Chapter Outline

 
Looking Forward

 
Further Reading

 
 
The New Media
Introduction

 
Features of Computer-Mediated Communication

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Theories of Learning
Introduction

 
Transformation, Framing and Emergence

 
Challenges for Assessment

 
Toward E-Learning Theory

 
Texts

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Theorizing Online Learning
Introduction

 
Existing Theoretical Positions

 
Further Theories

 
Interim Summary

 
Does E-Learning Require a New Theory of Learning?

 
Three Questions Answered

 
Further Thoughts

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
New Literacies, New Discourses in E-learning
From New Literacies to New Discourses

 
Exploring Modes

 
From 'Literacy' to 'Discourse'

 
The Implications of a 'Discourse' View of E-Learning

 
A Reciprocal, Co-Evolutionary Model of Literacy Development and Learning

 
Developing a New 'Language' for E-Learning

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Participatory Cultures
Introduction

 
Technologies of Participation

 
Brief History of IT Development

 
Participatory Media

 
Educational Spaces: 1.0 and 2.0

 
Changes in Authority and Contribution

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Learning Communities
Introduction

 
Defining and Locating Community

 
Why Collaboration and Community?

 
The Concept of Community

 
Creating an E-learning Community

 
Promoting a Community

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Sociotechnical Perspectives
Introduction

 
Reviewing Social Processes and Technology

 
Managing the Social and Technical Mix in E-learning

 
Balancing the Social and Technical

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
E-learning Ecologies
Introduction

 
The Ecology of the E-learning Environment

 
Personal Ecologies

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Ubiquitous Learning, Ubiquitous Learners
Introduction

 
Becoming an Ubiquitous E-learner

 
Who Is A Ubiquitous E-learner?

 
What Does a Ubiquitous Learner Learn?

 
The Ubiquitous Learner and the Economics of Attention

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
E-inclusion and Exclusion
Introduction

 
Digital Divide

 
Digital Spectrum

 
Conclusion

 
Further Reading

 
 
Cross-Cultural Issues
Introduction

 
Issues Arising From Cultural Diversity

 
E-learning Across the Globe

 
Potential Problems with Cross-Cultural Approaches to E-Learning

 
Further Reading

 
 
Researching E-Learning
Introduction

 
Getting Started in E-Learning Research

 
E-learning Research Dimensions

 
Research about and for E-learning

 
New Forms of Research Formats in the Digital Age

 
Becoming an E-Researcher

 
Future Research

 
From Research About E-Learning to Research For E-Learning

 
Conclusions

 
Further Reading

 
References

 

This is a very useful and informative book that helps our students understand e-learning in more detail. This is particularly relevant given that e-learning is becoming increasingly adopted within healthcare due to its perceived cost benefits. Sadly there is a wealth of poor examples of e-learning in practice and this book helps students to understand that it does in fact have massive benefits if it is undertaken correctly.

Mr Tyler Warburton
Dept of Health & Social Studies, Bolton University
March 10, 2015

A very sound practical book which has led to some valuable discussions of the challenges and advantages of e-learning. Thought-provoking and practical.

Dr Katy Newell-Jones
GP School, Health Education Thames Valley
December 10, 2014

At a time when the early promise of ‘elearning’ to transform education is being questioned, this is a timely and relevant publication. Offering an approach to the practicalities of digital teaching and learning, it has the benefit of hindsight which in turn makes for realistic reading. The hope is the sector has moved on from early deterministic views and now sees technology as a product of the environment in which it is produced and used. This book offers a useful contribution to the debates around the wider social impact of the internet and its potential for enhancing the learning experience.

Ms Sue Watling
Centre for Educational Research and Development, University of Lincoln
May 22, 2014

Good background read for thise involved in elearning

Ms Glynis Gibbs
Education , Dundee University
November 28, 2013

I am going to use it as supplemental text book. It gives an information about theory of e-learning with practice. I strongly suggest it others.

Dr Omer Vural
Educational Psychology , Gaziantep University
August 20, 2013

There was no e learning in place atthis time.
This may change as next year we are undertaking a new course programme which will be e learning focussed.

Miss Carol Reid
scho, Brighton University
June 5, 2013

The text looks at some of hte different perspectives of e- learning. How learning and teaching are evolving with the development of Internet Studies

Mrs Carol Ellis
Health , Anglia Ruskin University
April 3, 2013

A must for those colleagues looking for the underpinning frameworks for facilitating Learning Online

Mr Patrick Saintas
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Brighton University
March 1, 2013

This book provides a useful platform to discuss the use of e learning in the sector.there are a range of supplementary articles suggested in the book which provide the reader with further reading and reserach.The models and examples shown and discussed are ones taht can be easily implemneted by trainees.

Mrs Adele Sewell
tEACHER TRAINING , Bishop Burton College
January 21, 2013

I am still in the process of revising an EdTech certificate at my institution. Where I was considering the text was in a learning theory and technology course. Since the book does not fit the course to fully integrate the content,
I would be interested in writing a book on the topic of learning theory and technology. Although this text E-Learning Theory and Practice supports the topic, I cannot find one text suitable for my university audience which spans Pre-K through 16 educators as well as students from a business/technical background.

Dr Cynthia Sistek-Chandler
Teacher Education Dept, National University
November 7, 2012

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1


Caroline Haythornthwaite

Areas of ResearchComputer-mediated communication (CMC) and the Internet; information exchange via CMC; online communities; e-learning; social network analysis; collaboration; social informatics; community informatics More About Author

Richard Andrews

I focus on research in the fields of language education, argumentation, writing development, multimodality, rhetoric and e-learning. With colleagues I designed the MA in English Education. More About Author

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781849204712
£41.99

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