The context

Still finding it a challenge to make the time needed to read and write as much as I feel is needed for the course. That is not to say that reflection is not taking place!

The context for my taking this MSc is that I have just begun (since early October 2014) delivering for the first time a fully distance learning module, Introduction to Positive Psychology, that forms part of the MSc Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at Bucks New University. The module runs from October - January, and has recruited 7 students. Not many, though this was without any advertising. I am pleased we have at least some students on the course, and it is a small group to begin with as we find our feet with it! The module is also offered as a stand alone short course, and is part of our attempt to develop a distance learning delivery for the full MAPP. This would be alongside the existing delivery in which students attend one weekend per month. 

As we have a number of students travelling internationally each month, and more enquiring about the possibility of distance learning we feel that there is a need to have this form of delivery. Further development of online materials and support via Blackboard will also further support our existing students. Over the next year, we will seek to validate a distance learning MAPP in time for September 2015. 

Thus the plan is to develop my understanding of t-eL and I see the MSc t-eL as a way of supporting my work on the Intro to PP now as well as the planning for the distance learning MAPP.

UPDATE 1: A later blog-post including reflections on the Intro to PP distance module can be found here!

UPDATE 2 [12 May 2015]: The MAPP 'distance', or MAPP-FDL as it became... is validated!