Abstract

This paper details how social interaction was integrated into a degree programme run by Oscail - the National Distance Education Centre (DCU). While a key objective was to introduce an element of mandatory group work into a module of the distance education programme, the course designers also held the opinion that (given the discursive nature of the content of the chosen module) student learning would benefit greatly from engaging in online discussions on the content of the module. A major challenge was the process of the integration of group work while (as far as possible) maintaining the time and place independence of distance education. After a substantial review of the 2004 presentation, the function of group work was changed radically in the 2005 academic year. In particular, the assessment of students’ online social interaction was radically changed. This paper will focus on the outcomes of the 2005 implementation and discuss the (less radical) changes that have been introduced for the 2006 presentation.