CDE-funded Teaching and Research Award project "Computer-mediated Tasks and Tutor Inputs (CITTI) Project", as displayed at RIDE 2010 conference. Lead researcher Dr. Hugh Starkey (h.starkey@ioe.ac.uk, Institute of Education).

1. Computer-mediated Tasks and Tutor Inputs (CITTI) Project
Project description
• To explore the extent to which student
interaction through asynchronous
computer-mediated conferencing
(ACMC) leads to the social
construction of knowledge and higher
order critical inquiry.
• To explore the role and effects on
interactive knowledge-building of
social presence, tutor teaching and
moderating strategies and task type
• To develop a framework of analysis
for identifying evidence of socially
constructed learning
Methods
Mixed methods approach:
quantitative and qualitative
data collection; coding
and analysis of conference
transcripts; semi-structured
interviews; analysis of
students’evaluations
Results
We found evidence that
students are able to
construct knowledge
and learn from one
another through ACM
conferencing.
We developed a set of
analytical instruments
to evaluate ACMC and
a set of guidelines and
recommendations
for course tutors and
designers on effective
ways to design tasks and
moderate discussions.
Outputs
Hopkins, J., Gibson, W.,
Ros i Solé, C., Savvides,
N., & Starkey, H. (2008).
Interaction and critical
inquiry in asynchronous
computer-mediated
conferencing: a research
agenda.
Open Learning, 23(1), 29
- 42.
Starkey, H., & Savvides, N.
(2009).
Learning for Citizenship
Online: How Can Students
Develop Intercultural
Skills and Construct
Knowledge Together?
Learning and Teaching:
The International Journal
of Higher Education in the
Social Sciences, 2(3), 31-49.
Teaching and Research Awards
University of London International Programmes Centre for Distance Education www.cde.london.ac.uk and cde@london.ac.uk
Discussion
We have provided
supporting evidence
to validate the use of
ACMC on University of
London distance learning
programmes.
The findings are of
particular interest to
teachers of social studies
including citizenship and
history since this field is
characterised by debate
and discussion. Students
in different political
contexts can learn
intercultural skills and
construct knowledge with
others online.
Researchers
Dr Hugh Starkey
h.starkey@ioe.ac.uk
Nicola Savvides
Institute of Education