Mastering the online Master’s: developing and delivering an online MA in English language teaching through a dialogic-based framework

Abstract

With an ever increasing array of technologies offering potential for the delivery of educational e-content and support of online communication and interaction, distance learning has an opportunity to make the transition to authentic online learning and teaching as never before. However, it seems that institutions are only slowly exploiting this opportunity, particularly in the field of language teacher training. This article presents a reflective case study of a course which attempted to translate many of the features of a successful face-to-face (f2f) programme for an e-learning medium. A key element of the course was an activity-based framework based on a dialogic learning approach which aimed to retain the interactive features of f2f learning. Data will be drawn from development, delivery and evaluation of the course illustrating the manner in which the online environment was fully exploited to create an e-learning community with a range of learning opportunities.

Keywords:

• e-learning
• distance learning
• MA in English Language teaching
• dialogic learning

Notes

1. Space restrictions mean that the data cannot be presented here but contact the authors for further data.

2. All these response were given anonymously in module evaluation forms.