Advancing the Patchwork Text: The Development of Patchwork Media Approaches

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The patchwork text approach to learning and assessment is now used widely in UK higher education; Dalrymple and Smith (p. 47, 2008) refer to the form as “one of the most influential assessment innovations in Higher Education in recent years”. During the period of popularisation of patchwork text approach teaching staff and students on the BA Learning Technology Research pathway, based in the Faculty of Education at Anglia Ruskin University, have been adapting and advancing the method. They have fused the patchwork text approach with a plethora of digital technologies to create a form of assessment known as “patchwork media”. This practice based paper offers insight in to the characteristics and workings of patchwork media. Both the production of ‘patches’ and the supporting processes of online community are explored. It examines and illustrates how a fully online course has fully digitised Winter’s (2003) principles. The paper illustrates how the use of rich media can extend the benefits and possibilities of the original approach. In addition, the paper explores some of the challenges that the use of patchwork media presents to learners, teaching staff and university systems. In conclusion parallels are drawn between the challenges and benefits presented specifically by patchwork media and those presented by the use of other technologies in higher education.

Stream: Technology in Learning; Maths, Science and Technology Learning

Paper: , , , , Advancing the Patchwork Text

Lydia Arnold is a senior lecturer and facilitator in the Faculty of Education at Anglia Ruskin University. Arnold works remotely as part of the university's distributed team. Within this role, she is involved in facilitating online learning and developing practice in a field of emerging possibility. Arnold's research interests include personalized learning, autonomy in online learning, experiential and work-based learning, and online facilitation. Previously, she has researched e-learning in health care, particularly examining the role of interprofessional communities of practice. Arnold has authored and co-authored a number of conference papers and publications and writes more informally on issues arising from practice through her professional weblog. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and is a Certificated member of the Association of Learning Technologists.