Distance Learning, mLearning, Digital Education, Technology

The heritage sector has a wealth of knowledge to share with the world. It plays a vital role in enabling people of all ages to learn about and understand the UK’s fascinating and complex history. Whether visiting sites and monuments, exploring stories and exhibitions, or participating in events and activities, your visitors already experience a wealth of education opportunities. 

Online learning resources and activities can help to bring heritage to a wider audience than ever before, in new and innovative ways. 

Online learning can include: 

free digital courses that anyone can join, sometimes called Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCS 

 

structured activities aimed at groups of learners such as schoolchildren 

 

community learning and engagement, which might involve collaborative practice or ‘crowdsourcing’ resources

 

self-paced online learning materials

 

virtual tours and exhibitions

 

blogging and social media activities, including digital storytelling and quizzes

 

Online learning provides opportunities to make heritage education accessible to people from all walks of life.

You don’t need specialist expertise and expensive applications to create effective learning experiences.

Via Elizabeth E Charles

Via Elizabeth E Charles

This guest blog has been kindly contributed by Professor Neil Morris, Chair in Educational Technology, School of Education, University of Leeds. He can be found at @NeilMorrisLeeds

 

The Unbundled University research project, funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC grant number ES/P002102/1) and the National Research Foundation in South Africa (NRF grant number 105395), explored a range of issues in relation to the expansion of online education in universities in the UK and South Africa, including partnerships with private companies and the disaggregation of learning and teaching materials for delivery online (‘unbundling’).

 

Data were collected from interviews with senior leaders, academics, students and private companies in both countries. The data are being written up for publication in academic journals, but given the rapid shift to focus on online education as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is evident that some of the headlines from the research need to be put in the public domain rapidly.

Via Elizabeth E Charles