Using information and communications technology (ICT) to support action research and distance learning

The session "The Potential of Technology to support Action Research" formed part of the "Action Research and the Politics of Educational Knowledge" Conference, organised by the Educational Studies of Ireland in association with the School of Education at Trinity College Dublin in November 1998. This paper reflects on the session. Margaret Farren of Dublin City University, Jack Whitehead of University of Bath and Fionnuala Howard of Sutton Park School, Dublin, used video conferencing and Microsoft NetMeeting to link up with Ed Tweedy at Rockingham Community College (RCC) U.S.A. Margaret introduced the session making use of several multimedia features of PowerPoint. Ed then demonstrated the Introduction to Computing course which, RCC offers via the Internet. Next, both Ed and Margaret showed the use of the NetMeeting program for collaborative work. After that, Jack Whitehead showed how he was making use of the Internet to create a World College of Teachers and Educators. Finally, Fionnuala Howard showed how she used the features of Microsoft Word for making presentations. This practical demonstration explored how appropriate technology can be a useful tool in support of Action Research and Distance Education