Advancing the patchwork text: the development of patchwork media approaches

The patchwork text approach to learning and assessment is now used widely in UK higher education; Dalrymple and Smith (p. 47, 2008) refer to the form as "one of the most influential assessment innovations in Higher Education in recent years". During the period of popularisation of patchwork text approach teaching staff and students on the BA Learning Technology Research pathway, based in the Faculty of Education at Anglia Ruskin University, have been adapting and advancing the method. They have fused the patchwork text approach with a plethora of digital technologies to create a form of assessment known as "patchwork media". This practice based paper offers insight in to the characteristics and workings of patchwork media. Both the production of 'patches' and the supporting processes of online community are explored. It examines and illustrates how a fully online course has fully digitised Winter's (2003) principles. The paper illustrates how the use of rich media can extend the benefits and possibilities of the original approach. In addition, the paper explores some of the challenges that the use of patchwork media presents to learners, teaching staff and university systems.