Research in Distance Education conference. Evaluation and Assessment strand presentation. Dr Caroline Daly Centre for Excellence: Work‐based learning for Education Professionals, Institute of Education

1. Embedding evaluation in distance courses – using narrative methods 9 February 2000 Caroline Daly, Norbert Pachler, Jon Pickering, Jill Russell and Jon Wardle

3. E-learners’ experiences – four types of ‘newness’ which affect participation for all (CDE 1) The experience of managing work, life and learning with technology The experience of writing with fellow students in an online discussion in order to learn The experience of collaborative learning in an online tutor group The experience of social relationships with other e-learners

5. Why narrative methods? A way of capturing the learner voice as a prime research or evaluation tool in qualitative approaches A way of developing situated accounts of respondents’ experiences To provide ongoing information about our practice as providers while it is happening To impact on learners’ abilities to adapt to new learning contexts (Levy, 2006) A way of better understanding the realities of ‘being a learner’ in complex contexts To inform effective education practitioner-development