Online Master Communities of Practice:
Collaborative Learning in an Intercultural Perspective
Dr. Daithí Ó Murchú (omurchu.ias@eircom.net)
Principal, Gaelscoil Ó Doghair, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, Ireland
Research Fellow in ICT and Education, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Department of Education Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Ireland
Dr. Elsebeth Korsgaard Sorensen (eks@hum.auc.dk)
Dept. of Communication; Aalborg University; Kroghstraede 3; DK-9220 Aalborg
Oest; Denmark.
English Abstract
This study addresses the challenge of the educational design and implementation of two online Masters’ programs within the humanities and education. The empirical basis for our investigation is the conception and delivery process of both courses from two different educational cultures, respectively; Ireland (MIC) and Denmark (OL). The core intention of the study is to explore, describe, compare, and discuss the extent to which collaborative learning in communities of practice (COPs) (Wenger, 1998) may be said to have developed throughout the learning process. From a perspective of learning as a matter of change taking place through participation in COPs, this paper attempts to assess — using a set of identifying criteria for COPs — the learning value of the processes that emerged from the viewpoint of, both designers as tutors and students.
Danish Abstract
Dette kapitel omhandler udfordringen omkring design og implementering af to online masterkurser inden for humaiora, som begge omhandler implementeringen af IKT (informations- og kommunikationsteknologi) i læreprocesser. Det empiriske focus for vores undersøgelse er henholdsvis designikonceptet og afviklingsprocessen i de to kurser, som har deres oprindelse i to forskellige uddannelseskulturer — den irske og den danske. Hovedformålet med undersøgelsen er, dels at undersøge, beskrive, sammenligne og diskutere i hvilken grad etablering af kollaborative lærings- "communities of practice" (COPs) (Wenger, 1998) kan siges at have fundet sted i de to forløb, og dels at vurdere på tværs af nationale og kulturelle grænser - de studerendes opfattelse af hvilke specifikke elementer og nuancer ved COPs, som var tilstede i - og markante for — de to kurser. Fra et perspektiv på læring forstået som et spørgsmål om forandring gennem deltagelse i online COPs, vurderer vi — på baggrund af et sæt identificerende kriterier for COPs — nuancerne i de lærings- og samarbejdsprocesser, som udviklede sig i de to kursusforløb.
Gaelic Abstract
Féachann an taighde seo ar chomhdhéanamh agus múineadh dhá chlár Máistreachta in Éirinn agus sa Danmhairg in ábhair léinn agus oideachais. Rinneadh an chóras a úsáideadh sa dhá thír a iniúcadh ar leibhéil chúltúra, agus oideachasúl. Is í príomhaidhm an taighde ná scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an leibhéal d'fhoghlaim chomhleasa (COP’s) (Wenger, 1998) a tháinig chun cinn i rith chomhdhéanamh agus cur i gcrích an dá chúrsa, agus i rith an phróiséis foghlamtha ina hiomlán. Más fíor go dtagann athrú ar an bhfoghlaim, trí phartaíocht i suíomh foghlamtha chomhleasa, déanann an taighde seo iniúcadh níos domhaine — ag úsáid critéir aitheanta ó COPs — ar fhiúntas foghlamtha an dá chóras d’ar leis na cruthaitheoirí agus na mic léinn a ghlac páirt.
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