Transcript MCDLoverview2013 - University of Leicester

Distance Learning in the
Department of Media &
Communication
Vincent Campbell
Director of Distance Learning
[email protected]
Department of Media &
Communication
• Founded as the Centre for Mass
Communication Research- first in the UK
(1966)
• First in UK to offer Master’s degrees in Media
(1978)
• MA in Mass Communications by Distance
Learning launched in 1995
Distance Learning Programmes
• Currently five taught Master’s Programmes
– MA Mass Communications
– MA New Media and Society
– MA New Media Governance and Democracy
– MA Communications, Media and Public Relations
– MA Communications, Media and Advertising
• Collectively the programmes have around 350
active students between them
Programme Aims
• Serve as a broad introduction to the study of
communications media
• Explore the key themes and issues in contemporary
media and communication research
• Introduce some of the skills and approaches that can
be used to study the media, emphasizing the
importance of analyzing media and communication
processes in their social, political, economic and
global contexts
Programme Aims
• Provide direct access to the current thinking of key
researchers and writers in the field from around the
world
• Offer people who are already employed in the
communications industries a chance to review
current professional and industrial practices
• Present a challenging and comprehensive
introduction to the media for those who plan to
work in the communications field in the future
Programme Structure
• Two-year Programme
– Start dates in October, January, April and July
– Common first year to all programmes
– Second year options link to named programmes
• 10 Modules
– One every two months
– Each module contains 6 units with one unit = 10
hours of study
Programme Structure
• Three Exit points
– Postgraduate Certificate
• Successful completion of Year One
– Postgraduate Diploma
• Successful completion of Years One and Two taught
components
– Master’s
• Successful completion of Years One and Two taught
components and the Dissertation
Programme Materials
• Print-based Programmes
– Original, commissioned materials from subject
specialists
• Each unit = 8-12,000 words
• Also provided online in pdf format
– Supported by
•
•
•
•
Set books (supplied as part of materials)
Course Readers (provided online in pdf format)
CDs/DVDs (for some modules)
Access to Leicester University Library online
Programme Assessment
• Written Assessments
– One (3000 word) essay assignment per module =
9 assignments in total
– Modules 5 and 6 also covered by a written
examination
– 12-15,000 word Dissertation (for MA)
Learning Support
• Self-study materials
– Students receive personal copies of all course
materials necessary for course completion
• Personal Tutor
– Students receive an individual tutor who provides
support throughout their study
• Administrator
– Each intake has a dedicated administrator
Learning Support
• Annual Course Conference
– Option to attend a 4-day conference at Leicester
• Local Tutor
– Some localities/agents provide local support
• Formal Peer Support
– A dedicated e-mail list is used for Q & A
• Informal Peer Support
– Student-run Facebook page
Recruitment
• Students recruited 2 main ways
– Via Agents
• Especially emerging markets such as the Caribbean and
Africa
– Individual applications (usually online)
• Programme design allows support for small numbers of
students in different countries
– Students come from all over the globe
• Countries such as: Malta, Canada, Palestine, Ghana, St.
Helena, Saudi Arabia, Denmark, Tunisia, Germany,
Greece, Belgium
Students
• Student Backgrounds
– Media/media-related professions
– Other industries and professions (e.g. banking,
teaching, humanitarian organisations)
– Often new to academic study of the media
• Student Destinations
– Many looking for advancement within/entry to
media careers
– Some go on to further academic study (PhD)
The Future
• Transition to Online Delivery
– Plans to switch from print to Blackboard hosting of
programmes
• Blended Learning
– Plans to integrate DL and campus programmes
more closely
• New Programmes
– Possible new programmes in Journalism Studies
and Media, Culture and Society