The following resources are indicative but not essential. We expect participants to apply their resource discovery and critical evaluation skills to find and share with their peers other appropriate resources. We will encourage and facilitate participants exploration of appropriate journals held by the University and the evaluative comparison of these with openly available web-based resources.

Texts:
- Elloumi F and Anderson, T (2004) Towards a theory of online learning, in Theory and Practice of Online Learning [Online] http://cde.athabascau.ca/online_book/,

- Garrison, D. R. (2004) E-Learning in the 21st century : A framework for research and practice. London : RoutledgeFalmer.

- Higgison, C (2002) Online tutoring e-book, Available online: http://otis.scotcit.ac.uk/onlinebook/

- JISC (2005) Effective Practice with eLearning: Available [Online] http://www.elearning.ac.uk/effprac/

- Laurillard, Diana. (1999) Rethinking university teaching : A framework for the effective use of educational technology. London : Routledge.

- Littlejohn, A (2003) Reusing Online Resources: A Sustainable Approach to E-Learning, London: Kogan Page

- Nielson, J (1999) Designing Web Usability: The Practice of Simplicity, Indianopolis: New Riders Publishing,

- Paciello, M G (2000) Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities, Berkeley: CMP Books

- Salmon, G (2003) E-moderating: The key to teaching and learning online , 2nd edn., London: Taylor and Francis

- Salmon, G (2003) E-tivities: The key to active learning online; London: Kogan Page

This module aims to provide participants with an understanding of the ways in which technology can be used to enhance learning together with an appreciation of the skills required to design effective elearning.

Its objectives are to enable participants to develop a critical understanding of the approaches and current research relating to the use of technology to facilitate learning and to demonstrate an understanding of the appropriate use of technology to develop effective resources to support eLearning, whilst reflecting on professional practice.

Participants will develop a knowledge of the models and theories associated with the support and the facilitation of eLearning. In particular they will be expected to consider the issues relating to:

- Definitions of eLearning
- Tools used to develop eLearning
- Supporting and managing eLearning
- eLearning models ? the opportunities and the constraints allied with pedagogic context
- Accessibility and usability
- Incorporating multimedia
- Developing VLE based resources
- Reusing and repurposing resources

Participants will have the opportunity to enhance their appreciation of their eLearning development skills through two practical workshops, which will investigate the creation of electronic content and its delivery via a Virtual Learning Environment.

This module will be delivered through:
1. A series of 8 x 2hour structured workshops which will be delivered on a weekly basis. The workshops will include a variety of teaching and learning methods, including presentations by experienced practitioners, large and small group discussions, task-centred investigations and IT skills development. There will be a strong emphasis on activity focused learning and participation.
2. Independent study through which participants will be expected to consolidate and build upon their learning from the taught sessions by undertaking follow-up tasks, discovering, reading and evaluating key texts, journal articles and professional guidance information and through reflection on practice.
3. Supporting information will be provided via the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment

The assessment for this module will consist of two elements: an individual written assignment; and an electronic resource or set of resources. These are detailed below.

Part 1. A written assignment, 1500 words (approx) weighted at 70%, this should detail:
- A justification of the effectiveness of the approach and design of the electronic resource, or set of resources, submitted for Part 2 of the assessment.

Part 2. An electronic resource, or set of resources, to support a 2 hour learning activity, weighted at 30%. This can be:
- A fully developed resource or set of resources
or
- A depiction of a resource or set of resources

Learning Resources
You will find that there are many useful text based and electronic resources relating to online learning. At various points within the module we will refer to relevant resources which may help with your enquiry and where possible we will make these available online via links from the online learning environment. This will includ openly accessible documents on the web; journal articles (online and paperbased) available to University staff and students; and books (held by the University Library). For details of resources, see the Module Handbook