PhD Module 1 structure

Week 1 - introductions

• Two discussion forums set up, each for a different 'theme' of the course
• Initial post put in each forum containing an article to read and a prompt to share your opinions
• Third forum asking students to describe and explain a bit about their professional context. For BA/MA students this could be asking them to describe their professional experience to date, or their reasons for choosing the course they have.

Week 2 - learning about learning on the course

•  Read three papers that explore issues around learning and assessment in a collaborative e-learning community. For BA/MA students this could be a discussion about learning online, the advantages and disadvantages, how to get the most out of it etc.
• Also intended to make sure that everyone can successfully access the online resources and library
• A further forum where students can ask general questions that are not specifically related to the content - e.g. 'I'm having a problem accessing the resources'.

Week 3 - Introduction to research methods part 1

• Collaborative activity. Students put into groups of six and each group is assigned a paper - they have to read it and write a short precis. 
• Each group is given a wiki page in which to write their precis. 
• There is also the option to video-conference in order to discuss the precis. This could be done using Skype.
• Students have to prepare three questions to ask the other groups in Week 4

Week 4 - Introduction to research methods part 2

• Having finalised their precis, students are asked to create a new discussion thread and post their three questions along with a link to their wiki page.
• Students then asked to respond to the questions set by the other groups and to questions received
• Students also asked to sign up for a group project for week 5. Students are given the six available themes and asked to sign up for one.

Week 5 - Research Methods in Education and Social Science part 1

• Collaborative activity. A discussion thread is set up for each group and a wiki page is setup per group as a workspace / place to gather questions. Groups can use alternative tools for this if they wish.
• Objective 1: Read the literature provided on the chosen theme and use the discussion thread to discuss the topic in some depth.
• Come up with questions to put to the rest of the cohort in week 2.  

Week 6 - Research Methods in Education and Social Science part 2

• 2nd week of collaborative activity. A tutor joins each discussion group.
• Groups begin work on a presentation. This group presentation is intended to provide a short summary of the theme  you have studied in your group in terms that are comprehensible to the other members of the cohort. It should not assume knowledge of the papers you have read amongst the rest of the cohort. In PowerPoint (or equivalent) terms the presentation is expected to be no more than five slides, which would probably amount to one slide to sum up the theme, then three slides for pros, cons, issues, concerns etc., followed by a short conclusion.

Week 7