International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Volume 1, Number 2, 2007
Return to Current Issues PageResearch Article
Abstract
Developing On-line Collaborative Research Across International Boundaries: Exploring the Potential of New Technologies
The development of on-line research practice across international boundaries is now a viable proposition using available asynchronous technologies such as computer conferencing. As has been reported in previous papers (Grodzinsky, et al, 2002; Griffin, et al, 2002) such use has proved to be extremely valuable for supporting the teaching of computing and ethics. However, asynchronous computer conferencing not only offers new opportunities for teaching and for supporting students, it also offers a valuable resource to researchers. Taking advantage of such opportunity must, of course, address a number of issues. Prime amongst these are concerns as to how to overcome the variety of barriers that are likely to be encountered in establishing effective research collaboration within a text-based virtual environment. This paper will, therefore, outline how such research collaboration was initiated across international boundaries as well as providing an overview of the activity undertaken. The primary goal of this paper is, therefore, to illustrate both the challenges and benefits of undertaking on-line research collaboration.
View Full ArticleBios
Pat Jefferies
University of Bedfordshire
Bedford, England
pat.jefferies@beds.ac.uk
Currently I am Principal Lecturer and Teacher Fellow, Faculty of Education and Contemporary Studies, School of Education, University of Bedfordshire (formerly De Montfort University), Bedford. I have gained qualifications in both education and computing – specifically these are a BEd(Hons) from Nottingham Trent University, an MSc in Computer Education from Loughborough University as well as a Ph.D. from De Montfort University. Currently I am Course Leader for the PGCE 14-19 provision in Applied ICT, Applied Business and Applied Leisure & Tourism. I am also Chair of the Faculty Learning & Teaching Committee, member of the British Computer Society (Chartered IT Professional) and Research Associate of the Centre for Computing & Social Responsibility. My principal research interests are in “blended” learning approaches within a campus based HE environment. Such research work has resulted in being an invited guest speaker at several other universities as well as production of a wide range of refereed international conference and journal publications.
Frances Grodzinsky
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
grodzinskyf@sacredheart.edu
Presently I am Professor of Computer Science and Information Technology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut. I have a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and two masters degrees: an MA from the University of Illinois and an MCIS from the University of New Haven. I am the co-chair of the Hersher Institute of Ethics and also a Visiting Scholar, Research Center on Computer Ethics and Social Responsibility at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Connecticut. I serve on the board of INSEIT (the International Society for Ethics and Information Technology), having been involved in the field of Computer Ethics since 1991 and have been an invited speaker and presenter at major international computer science and ethics conferences.