LING 437: Learning and teaching in digitally mediated spaces
Course aims and objectives
This module aims to examine learning and teaching of language and literacies in digital environments: how practices are changing, how learning and teaching practices are evolving, what skills are required to teach and to learn in these spaces, and what new opportunities and challenges emerge from this. Students will gain knowledge and experience in modern digital environments and their applications, develop their communication and critical-analytical skills, and engage in effective group working.
Course content
The module will cover the following topics:
- Changing aims of education in the twenty first century: theories, policies, practice
- Relationships between learning theories, pedagogic approaches and uses of technology in learning and teaching in school environments
- Models of adult learning online: explorations of a range of models of learning, and how these are being challenged and transformed by the shift to a digital world
- Online language learning and teaching
- Introductions of new technologies into learning and teaching eg. mobile technologies, virtual worlds.
- New literacies for learning: crossovers between informal and formal practices
- Vernacular learning: how people are drawing on online resources for their own purposes
Assessment
Written assessment, 60%, to be made up of a selection of your online contributions to the course equivalent to 1500 words (30%), and a short written assignment of 1500 words.
Presentation, 40%, made up of a small group seminar presentation (30%) and an individually written piece of 500 words reflecting on the presentation process (10%).
Recommended reading
Cope, B. & Kalantzis, M. (eds.) (2000) Multiliteracies: Literacy learning and the design of social futures. London: Routledge.
Gee, J. (2003) What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Palgrave Macmillan.
Lankshear, C. and M. Knobel. (2006). New Literacies: Everyday Practices and Classroom Learning. Open University Press.
Ludvigsen, S., A. Lund, I. Rasmussen & R. Säljö (eds) (2010) Learning across sites: new tools, infrastructures and practices. London: Routledge.