However the OU students found that the ease with which changes could be made meant they became more critical of the resources and would take an idea and develop it to suit their class, or they would reject it or adapt it to fit the groups with which they would use them. Teaching ideas are also encouraged in addition to written resources, and the necessity for always having printed materials to hand in mathematics is often questioned by the moderator and has lead to discussion which indicates students are starting to consider alternatives. This indicates how the experience of the moderator in using this medium develops and grows as a result of observing and noting students' uses of the system. By asking previous sets of students about their uses of telematics, future students can benefit from the way the moderator evolves the ideas into suggestions for electronic activities which further the way in which the community operates to be effective in developing critical teachers. These are marked by their tutor who can offer support and advice.
Students often telephone each other and discuss assignments.
She works with teachers through the Open University and now Warwick University in the UK in the use of conferencing software to optimise student learning and its management. Intrepid subscribers will note that the title and indeed author for this week's mailout is different from that previously advertised. My apologies for those who were looking forward to Maree Smyth's article as we are unable to bring that to you. Serendipity has raised her head in the form of Michelle Selinger who has most kindly contributed her work in progress at extremely short notice - my warm thanks to you Michelle. You are free to browse the forum but will need to register and give yourself a password if you wish to participate in the discussion.