MacKinnon, Teresa (2013) Creating and nurturing a community of practice for language teachers in Higher Education. In: EUROCALL 2013, Évora, Portugal, 11-14 Sep 2013. Published in: 20 Years of EUROCALL: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future pp. 175-182. doi:doi:10.14705/rpnet.2013.000157

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Abstract

This case study investigates the implementation of a virtual learning environment designed for language teachers for an institution-wide language programme in a UK higher education institution. This development has taken place over a 3 year period and included a pilot virtual learning environment for 300, followed by a full implementation to more than 3,000 users. It was informed at all stages by users, usage analysis and research into best practice for language teaching and learning. The users have complete ownership of the spaces and the tools they need to facilitate interaction and communication, allowing greater freedom to experiment with learning design. Social media are used to help tutors find their personal learning network. An empirical design methodology and the Community of Practice approach to implementation embeds continuing professional development (CPD) within a supportive and open community. This case study will provide a quantitative analysis of the activity in the portal over time. It will also draw on qualitative data using Steiner Kvale's (1996) "traveler metaphor" approach in order to reach conclusions about factors important to the use of technology in CPD. It points to the need for tutors to find relative advantage in the technologies they are given as their engagement is closely linked to that of their learners (Levy, 1997). It also highlights the opportunities presented to foster interest in and discussion of the theoretical aspects of subject specific learning design.

Item Type:	Conference Item (Paper)
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Divisions:	Faculty of Arts > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Language Centre
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Language and languages -- Study and teaching (Higher) --Computer-assisted instruction -- Great Britain, Language teachers -- In-service training -- Great Britain, Educational technology -- Great Britain, Education, Higher -- Great Britain -- Data processing
Journal or Publication Title:	20 Years of EUROCALL: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future
Publisher:	Research-publishing.net
Book Title:	20 Years of EUROCALL: Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future
Official Date:	30 November 2013
Dates:	Date Event 30 November 2013 Published
Date of first compliant deposit:	28 July 2016
Page Range:	pp. 175-182
DOI:	doi:10.14705/rpnet.2013.000157
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Conference Paper Type:	Paper
Title of Event:	EUROCALL 2013
Type of Event:	Conference
Location of Event:	Évora, Portugal
Date(s) of Event:	11-14 Sep 2013

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