Apologies that this is now well and truly behind the discussion - had some
problems with my email alias that caused the messages to bounce.
>In response to Bruce, I think I'm going to come out in support of Helen's
>position here:
>
> > While I am largely in sympathy with what you say here, I think
> >the model runs the risk of overlooking some fundamental learning
> >activities -- at least one of which has actually become impossible in UK
> >HE without access to computer.
>[snip]
> >Soon the 'e' will become redundant, but there is a risk that it will do
> >so before we have properly understood the significance of the e-dependency.
>
>Firstly, let's not conflate what's impossible with what's merely
>unconventional. It is still possible to use card indexes and hand write
>essays (indeed, the latter is compulsory in many universities for exams,
>no matter what the requirement is for coursework).
>
>Secondly, let's not turn the "e-" into a fetish for the new. As far back
>as you'll care to look, learning has involved some technology or other.
>Since we can't put neat boundaries around what is and what is not "e-", I
>think we should take a slightly different (but still principled) position.
>
>Personally, I think we need to understand how various forms of technology
>influence our learning and teaching practices. That wipes out the need to
>define neat edges to "e-", without denying the importance of the
>technology. It also saves us from pretending that all "e-" technologies
>are the same in some way. That leaves the door open to look at (for
>example) changing literacy practices, without denying the importance of
>looking at practices that use non-"e-" technologies (Helen's point), or at
>the least, technologies we no longer think much about because they've
>become embedded, such as pens, photocopiers and even stuff like email.
>(After all, isn't it that kind of embedding we're hoping for with these
>newer technologies? So won't it help to see these as something like a
>continuum rather than two separate "types"?)
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Martin
---------------------
Dr. Martin Oliver,
Education and Professional Development,
University College London,
1-19 Torrington Place,
London,
WC1E 7HJ
Phone: +44 (0)20 7679 1905 (x. 41905)
Fax: +44 (0)20 7679 1715
Email: [log in to unmask]
From May 10th: [log in to unmask]
MA Learning Technology Research: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/epd/ltr/
ALT-J: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/09687769.asp
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