Chris Procter | University of Salford (original) (raw)

Papers by Chris Procter

Information Technology Education, 2006

There is a tendency to equate electronic learning or e-learning with distance learning. In fact, ... more There is a tendency to equate electronic learning or e-learning with distance learning. In fact, e-learning covers a broad spectrum, from learning which is primarily contact based to learning which is 100% distance. Thus, each course can be measured by the proportion of learning and teaching that is intended to be conducted electronically. The principles of course design applied to the development of a given course should be influenced by the position of a course on this spectrum. Furthermore, there is a relationship between the proportion of e, the design strategy and the pedagogic model adopted by the designer. In this context we juxtapose didactic and constructivist models of learning. The substantial recent development of web based learning has sparked renewed interest in constructivism and the way in which web based technology can facilitate engagement. Whilst the relationship is not linear, we argue that the greater the proportion of e-learning used, the more developed the act...

Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 2012

Chris Procter is a senior lecturer in the Business School at the University of Salford. His teach... more Chris Procter is a senior lecturer in the Business School at the University of Salford. His teaching is primarily in project management but he is better known for his research in education. He is the co-chair of the International Education in a Changing Environment conference. Chris also has a long standing involvement in work-based learning (WBL) and responsibility for placements within his School. His research work in this area concerns enhancing the experience of students in relation to WBL.

Journal of Chinese Entrepreneurship, 2011

http://www.business.salford.ac.uk/staff/chrisprocter) is a senior lecturer with responsibility fo... more http://www.business.salford.ac.uk/staff/chrisprocter) is a senior lecturer with responsibility for co-ordinating placements for students at Salford Business School: http://www.business.salford.ac.uk/programmes/placements/. He has worked with employers and students in managing many hundreds of placements over a 20 year period. Chris' background is in IT Project Management and his teaching is in Project Management. He is a full member of the Association for Project Management (APM) and the UK Higher Education Academy Special Interest Group in Project Management. Chris has extensive experience in educational research and particularly Technology Enhanced Learning and he is the co-chair of the International Education in a Changing Environment conference (www.ece.salford.ac.uk).

International Journal of Teaching and Case Studies, 2007

Our work is concerned with the search for a viable pedagogical theory for a part time information... more Our work is concerned with the search for a viable pedagogical theory for a part time information technology course facilitated in blended learning. It was initially thought that the Conversational Framework would provide this, and could be examined utilising action research. We examine the Conversation Theory related literature (Scott, 2001; Harri-Augstein and Thomas, 1991) and our action research data, including staff and student interviews and focus groups. The findings suggest that despite some theoretical alignment with Blended Learning, there is a need to amend and enrich the Conversational Framework in order to make it more applicable.

International Journal of Mobile and Blended Learning, 2000

This is a case study paper concerned with the introduction of blended learning on a part-time hig... more This is a case study paper concerned with the introduction of blended learning on a part-time higher education programme for mature students. The interpretive work draws on four action research cycles conducted over two years with two student cohorts. Discussion is based on observations, staff and student focus groups and interviews examining the students' expectations and experiences.

International Journal of Management Practice, 2013

This paper provides an interpretive account of contextual factors that affect the progression of ... more This paper provides an interpretive account of contextual factors that affect the progression of e-commerce in six Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country context of Botswana. The methodology followed multiple in-depth case studies, using semi-structured face-to-face interviews, website analysis, observation and document analysis. Results show that contextual factors peculiar to each SME provide better explanations on how SMEs progress in e-commerce adoption. At the high level of adoption, managerial innovativeness and the nature of the external e-commerce market has contributed to success in two SMEs, whereas the local business environment in combination with some organisational factors can explain the low-level and non-adoption in the other four SMEs. Future implications indicate that managers need to pay particular detail to the unique and idiosyncratic nature of SMEs in guiding decisions for e-commerce adoption in their firms.

Education in a Changing Environment 17th-18th September, 2003

Community, always a somewhat elusive concept, is being re-interpreted in the Internet context, wh... more Community, always a somewhat elusive concept, is being re-interpreted in the Internet context, where online or virtual communities proliferate numerically, albeit of very variable activity and quality. Normative views of online communities are contrasted with the empirical approach advocated in this paper. Social theories of learning are introduced in the context of online learning communities. A categorisation of definitions of online communities is explored to inform the use of Steinmueller's framework for virtual communities in ...

Journal of Information Technology Education, 2006

Blended Learning, a learning facilitation that incorporates different modes of delivery, models o... more Blended Learning, a learning facilitation that incorporates different modes of delivery, models of teaching, and learning styles, introduces multiple media to the dialog between the learner and the facilitator. This paper examines online communication as the link between established theory of learning and literature on e-learning in order to better understand the appropriate use of blended learning in an actual Information Technology course. First, previously defined theoretical constructs that utilize communication as a facilitator for ...

This paper reflects upon the experience of the delivery of a program at the University of Salford... more This paper reflects upon the experience of the delivery of a program at the University of Salford using blended learning. Facilitated by action research, it reports on the lessons learnt since the paper by Procter ��Blended Learning in Practice��(Procter, 2003). Within the first cycle of action research we captured staff and students' opinions regarding the program, these are discussed in this paper. A number of lessons and conclusions are drawn, in particular, we argue for the need for theoretical underpinning and that Laurillard's ...

International Journal of Project Management, 2014

ABSTRACT This paper narrates the project management of the construction of the Florence Duomo by ... more ABSTRACT This paper narrates the project management of the construction of the Florence Duomo by Filippo Brunelleschi in the fifteenth century. This was the most significant dome project in Europe in 1300 years, and possibly the most significant, innovative and complex project of the Renaissance era (Colombo and Lanzavecchia, 1997). It still stands as the largest brick dome ever built. In order to achieve what seemed technically impossible at the time, Brunelleschi researched and adapted the construction and project management of the Pantheon in Rome in the second century. The paper allows us in turn to learn both product and process innovation from this case study, both of which are essential to contemporary project management practice. The case is valuable in understanding key drivers of project management success, and illustrates the substantial potential for learning, and therefore knowledge transfer, from previous historical projects and experiences.

Computer, 2002

... Effective web page design needs to put usability first, before tool mastery. ... Web page des... more ... Effective web page design needs to put usability first, before tool mastery. ... Web page design classes need to include iterative, order-independent, user-centered and evaluation-centeredweb site design processes to encourage the design of effective web sites. ...

My first comment on the conference is one of congratulation. There is tangible evidence of develo... more My first comment on the conference is one of congratulation. There is tangible evidence of development from last year when I was doing a similar review. The quality of papers and presentations has improved-I did not experience a poor one. There is a calmer, mature confidence manifest among the participants engaged in research and professional reflection. That bodes well for future development.

ASET Annual Conference: Proceedings of the 2006 Placement and Employability Professionals' Conference, 2006

This paper explores the use of a discussion board to facilitate discussion between students on pl... more This paper explores the use of a discussion board to facilitate discussion between students on placement and seeking placements. Evidence is presented that this peer to peer communication can alleviate some of the obstacles to students either seeking a placement or enjoying a successful placement experience. This will lead to a full and open discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of a Virtual Learning Environment in placement support.