This is the student's guide to understanding the meta perspective of the course. After reading this section, the students should know what to expect from it out of a learning and studying perspective so that they may pace their studies, understand how this particular course has applied constructive alignment so that they can perform their best.
Explain what the course structure looks like and what content is included as learning objects, assignments, how you use linkes, literature etc. May be combined with the previous topic as well. Samples of content in this secton are:
- Sections - The course is devided into five one-week sections, each dealing with a particular theme: introduction to international development; historical overview of the international development; presentation of major stakeholders in international development; presentation of key thematic areas within ICT4D; presentation of the main theories of development; evaluation of development; technology and international development
- How to read the course - You will be studying fulltime, reading literature, viewing videos, analysing, reflecting, discussing, and debating with your peers. We provide you with a Swedish 'smörgårdsbord' with resources of all kind and you will pick up those you need and find interesting. We understand that each of the course participants has got different tase, different appetite and different cravings. We hope that the abundance of resources and the flexibility in the course materials will support the personalised studies of each and everyone.
- Level of study - This course is designed to be an introduction to ICT4D. We understand that many students will never have studied the '4D' part of ICT4D before now and will come from a techical background. International development involves practical study and academic rigour and so the study will build in sections, gradually introducing the important ideas within the field.
- Pedagogical process - You will start by defining your own current understandings based on your previous studies and experiences. You will learn about the understandings of your peers. With these as a starting point, the course will open up for historical perspectives, theories, and actors which you will examine in order to get new insights of how we have come to the present situation. Your main tools are your own critical reflection and interaction with your peers over the materials provided by the teacher team and the materials that you will create during the course.
- Collaborative learning - Throughout the course, you will participate in ongoing guided discussion through an online forum. This interaction is student led but is structured around key qustions provided from the staff team.
- Type of assignments - The course has a range of different assignments that are designed to enhance and demonstrate your learning journey. We believe in the value of blending self-assessment, peer assessment and external assessment. We also maintain a blend of individual assignments and group-based assignments.