Focus group information sheet 
 
E-learning in ‘open source’ education  
  
London, 12 June 2008

The focus group is reviewing a range of adult education initiatives, many within the radical / critical tradition, looking at their educational approaches, teacher / learner roles and uses of e-learning1. A key premise of the research is that many of these approaches can be characterised as ‘open source education. This concept is derived from computer software development and refers to collaborative teaching and learning where the distinction between teachers and students is rethought (Dillon & Bacon 2006). 

During the focus group we will discuss the potential value of these approaches and their uses of e-learning. There will be a presentation of the main ideas, an opportunity to view some of the websites and discussion both in smaller groups and the main group. It is free, open to anyone who is interested and attendance is voluntary. No specific knowledge is required. There will be light refreshments.

The focus questions will be: 

•	How might pedagogical ideas from these approaches be useful to educators and learners generally? 
•	How might e-learning ideas or techniques from these be useful to educators and learners generally? 
•	Any other related comments? 

The research is mainly exploratory and aiming to begin evaluating the idea of 'open source education', identifying pedagogical and e-learning ideas or techniques from such approaches that can be useful. It is hoped that the focus group will be engaging for participants and stimulate discussion.

The main themes and ideas will be noted during the focus group and reported as part of the research. Individual contributions will not be recorded. This will anonymise contributions while obtaining the core ideas of participants. The aim of the focus group is to obtain ideas and not to analyse the participants themselves at all.

This research project is being undertaken as part of a postgraduate short course 'Researching e-learning' offered by University College London with the support of King's College London. The research will be carried out in accordance with institutional ethical guidelines (UCL, 2006) and the British Educational Research Association ethical guidelines (BERA, 2004). No specific risks have been identified for this research but if you experience any detriment, please inform the researcher.

Invitations are being extended to staff, students and project participants. Attendees may meet other people that they know, for example colleagues, students or lecturers, but the focus group is not related to any course work or professional roles. There may be some controversial ideas and divergent opinions.  

All attendees to the focus group will be provided with this information sheet and will need to sign a copy to indicate consent to participate under the conditions described here and consent for the use of the notes from group discussions for research purposes. These consent forms will be safely retained and participants will not be identified as part of the research. While you are free to leave the group at any time, the consent to use the notes for research purposes cannot be withdrawn after the focus group has begun. Participants will be invited to have access to the research results. 

For further information about the research please contact the researcher. You can view the preliminary abstract at http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd35z22w_62dvmp3pg9 and other documents are linked below. The agenda and process for the focus group are available at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd35z22w_90dt29t3cr. These documents will also be available in hard copy on the day.

1E-learning: "Learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology" (JISC, 2008).

Consent and further information 

Name: _____________________________ 

Email (optional): ______________________________ 

Would you like access to the research results? Yes / No. (If Yes, please include email address above).

Signature indicating consent to participation: 

___________________________

-x-

Documents 

Summary - http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Elearning_in_open_source_education 

Preliminary abstract - http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dd35z22w_62dvmp3pg9&hl=en

Review of initiatives - http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p6WXmymvh2rNk-MlHn_uBOA

Analysis of review - http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dd35z22w_87drg6nwhk&hl=en 

Some example websites

Pirate University -  http://www.pirate-university.org 
School of Everything -  http://www.schoolofeverything.com/ 
The Travelling School of Life -  http://www.tsolife.org 
University of the Third Age -  http://www.u3a.org.uk 
University of Openess -  http://uo.twenteenthcentury.com 
Wikiversity -  http://en.wikiversity.org 

References: 

Dillon, T., Bacon, S., 2006. Opening Education. The potential of open source approaches for education. Bristol: http://www.futurelab.org.uk 

British Educational Research Association (BERA), 2004. Revised ethical guidelines for educational research. Notts: BERA. 

Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), 2008. e-Learning. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/themes/elearning.aspx. Bristol: JISC/HEFCE. [Accessed 13-02-2008]. 

University College London (UCL), 2006. UCL Research Ethics Committee. http://www.grad.ucl.ac.uk/ethics [Accessed 15-02-2008]. 

Brent Cunningham 
Learning Technologist 
King's College London, UK 
+44 (0)20 7848 3916 
brent.cunningham@kcl.ac.uk