Working across Boundaries

Tutor Experiences of On-campus Networked Learning (blended with face-to-face teaching)

Abstract

This paper reports on research undertaken in one modern Scottish university (MSU) to identify university teachers’ conceptions of
and approaches to teaching campus-based students using C&ITs. 18 teachers from the business school were interviewed and their
transcripts were analysed to identify their underlying conceptions and approaches to teaching generally. From this a theoretical
sample of 7 teachers’ transcripts representing the range of possible conceptions of teaching were analysed in detail using qualitative
software to identify their conceptions of teaching using C&ITs specifically. In addition two focus group discussions were undertaken
with two different teaching teams piloting the use of a managed learning environment where teachers were asked to reflect on this
experience. Data was analysed and three findings are offered. Firstly a model of teachers’ conceptions of teaching campus based
students using C&ITs; secondly a model of teachers’ approaches to teaching campus based students using C&ITs and thirdly the
importance of the ‘experience’ of teaching using C&ITs in influencing the formation and development of teachers’ conceptions of
teaching using C&ITs.