Teaching prActice using Virtual Learning Environment (TAVLE): VLEs are used for communication and documentation purposes in distance education and are also increasingly used in on-campus courses. This project discusses the implications of this shift in teaching technology in a post-modern perspective. The project examines how VLE use may affect teachers' work as professionals, in particular their autonomy. To what extent do these systems influence didactic practices? Does the LMS reflect the situated dynamic and contextual pracice that characterises teaching? This project proposal explores how the teacher’s autonomy is influenced by pre-implemented functions in the VLE and elaborates on underlying assumptions of the VLE and didactic work-in-action. The main research question in this project is: In what way is VLE, as actant, inscribed and translated into teachers’ didactic practices?
Methodologically, this research draws heavily upon Actor Network Theory (ANT), and will use critical case studies as the basis for analysis. The method for collecting data will be semi-structured in-depth interviews and personal diaries. Constant comparison method inspired by grounded theory will be used to analyse empirical data.
