Author On-Line: using asynchronous computer conferencing to support literacy

The Author-On-Line (AOL) project used asynchronous computer conferencing to support the teaching and learning of literacy with pupils aged 10–11 years from two schools, one in Northern Ireland and one in the Republic of Ireland. The AOL-APT Model presented here summarises the key components of the project: Author, Pedagogy and Technology (APT), each of which is examined in turn. This phase of the project focused on a novel that gave rise to an issues-based approach related to landmines. It began with pupils posting book reviews on the NINE web site (Northern Ireland Network for Education) and developed as they used its asynchronous conferencing system to engage in on-line discussion with their peers, with the author (as himself and in the assumed role of the main character) and with the Minister for International Development. The project, which provides a venue for online, social, situated learning, is ongoing, but it has allowed us to suggest salient elements of a possible framework for the future development of this and similar initiatives.