Faculty Learning, New Technologies, and Emerging Communities of Practice

• In Event: Teaching and Learning Across the Disciplines

Abstract

Reflecting current interest in how new technologies support learning across Higher Education in England, this paper focuses upon how a network of 44 faculty engaged with a new virtual research environment as a means of developing their communal and individual learning about research. Using the theoretical lenses of situated learning and socio-cultural approaches to literacy and evidence from the project database, we analyse faculty ways of engaging with these new technologies. We argue that four factors affected their use: the emerging dynamics and working practices of each research group; the individual’s motivation to learn and to engage with (more) new technologies; leadership and mentoring; and the institutional climates, which supported or discouraged the individuals’ engagement with the project.

Authors

• Zoe Fowler, Independent Researcher

• Grant Stanley, Liverpool John Moores University

• Jean M.F. Murray, University of East London

• Olwen McNamara, University of Manchester

• Marion Jones, Liverpool John Moores University