Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The main aims and purpose of this module are:

• To critically review the theoretical and contemporary debates and practices surrounding the growth of digital learning and its impact on wider society;

• To explore the theories of learning that underpin uses of digital tools in education;

• To explore the nature of the learner experience and learning needs within online learning environments;

• To develop a critical approach to analyzing the impact of digital tools in education;

• To explore the value of human presence in the classroom and the changing role of the teacher in the digital age.

Outline Of Syllabus

• How do we Learn: Theoretical Perspectives.
• Historical Perspectives on Digital Learning.
• Investigating Personal Learning Networks.
• Investigating Virtual Reality.
• Investigating Artificial Intelligence.
• Investigating Digital Literacy.
• Investigating the Dark Side and the Digital Divide.
• Investigating the Changing Role of the Teacher.
• Investigating the Value of Human Presence in the Classroom.
• Predicting The Future of Learning in the Digital Age.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical perspectives which have been developed to understand learning and new technologies with an awareness of the wider social context.

2. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the potential of the Internet for learning in a variety of contexts.

3. Students will develop an ability to assess and evaluate the inter-related factors that affect the success of using digital tools and the Internet for learning.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the course, learners will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate their personal experience of using digital tools for learning;

2. Engage with the theoretical and contemporary debates and practices surrounding the growth of digital learning and its impact on wider society;

3. Write reflective, engaging and informative blogs.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Online lectures and seminar discussions will be combined with a variety of different online learning activities. Students will also have the opportunity to share their thoughts, opinions and reflections both in class and online via their own personal blog. Personal blogs are also used by the lecturer throughout the module to provide students with feedback about the quality of their work and how it can be improved.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Reflective blogs – Reflective blogs are written from the students own perspective and students will have the opportunity to describe and reflect on their own experiences of digital learning, linking these experiences to the relevant literature. This linking of personal experiences with the relevant literature helps to create a link between their studies and the real world.

Essay – the essay assesses students ability to engage in more depth with theory and research from the wider field of digital learning and the future of learning in the digital age.

General Notes

N/A