ComDev at Malmö University as a representation of “Digital for Development”. An example of a pioneer in distance-based learning
2020 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Abstract [en]
Abstract
The importance of technological progress is hard to downplay, and it becomes even more
obvious in the times of the crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has been changing the normal
flow of everyday life: a lot of countries have closed their borders, unnecessary travel is
reduced to minimum, online grocery shopping breaks any possible records, we live with
the feeling of uncertainty what tomorrow may bring...But despite all that, life is going
on. Work processes have not stopped, on the opposite, “home office” has become the new
normal; universities still provide knowledge to students thanks to distance learning. All
kinds of technological tools help us keep different processes running – we are
experiencing a rapid turn to a more digital and sustainable future.
Long before the coronavirus and its effect on the mankind in general, the Communication
for Development programme at Malmö University (Malmö, Sweden) has demonstrated
an example of the use of information and communication technologies in practice. The
programme has been running for almost 20 years already (September, 2020, marks its
20th anniversary), and its distance learning format has been one of the main attractive
factors for students with other commitments, such as family, job, voluntary work, etc.
More than that, an innovative and interdisciplinary nature of the programme has made it
possible for people from all around the world, with different backgrounds and life
schedules, participate in it.
On the one hand, it looks like ICT and new media have created a perfect ground for the
studying process. But on the other hand, probably it is quite early to be too optimistic
about it.
This paper tries to look deeper into the role that the pedagogical approaches,
communication, media and digital channels play for the ComDev students and alumni.
The current work also aims at investigating the impact of ComDev on their alumni’s paths
and practical use of the acquired theoretical knowledge in the field of social change.
Survey research in the form of an online questionnaire and semi structured interviews are
used as a quali-quantitative methodological approach in the body of the paper.
I would like to carry out this study as action research for optimization of the learning
process and finding more efficient ways of promoting social change, that could be helpful
in the future for ComDev.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö universitet/Kultur och samhälle , 2020. , p. 63
Keywords [en]
ICT, Mediatization, Communication for development, Glocalization, Interviewing, Survey research, Globalization
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-23518Local ID: 32624OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-23518DiVA, id: diva2:1483483
Educational program
KS K3 Communication for development
Supervisors
Examiners
2020-10-272020-10-27Bibliographically approved