Connectivity of Threads: The meeting of traditional art with technology in supporting life-long learning

Pamela Hordern, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA.

Dr Kathy Lynch, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of IT, Monash University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA. Email: kathy.lynch@infotech.monash.edu.au

Keywords

Life-long learning, Community of practice, Virtual learning environments

Abstract

Embroidery has been a long standing cultural tradition, and an art that is learnt and continued to be learned throughout life. It has been an integral part of family and social life for hundreds of years, and has been essential for intergenerational transfer of culture, memoirs and skill; for expression of creativity; for utilitarian purposes; or simply for leisure activity and social contact. The techniques of embroidery have been, almost, unaffected by mechanisation and changes in technology.

With the ever advancing development and use of technology, it can be pondered, has this technology any benefit or add-value to the development of not only the traditional learning of skills associated with art but also in the support of life-long learning and the development of communities of practice? These questions have been raised in circles such as the NSW Embroiders' Guild, but without empirical evidence, one can only rely on anecdotes. In searching for answers, one embroiderer took on the challenge.

The research was conducted as a case study of a purpose built virtual learning environment (VLE). The environment consisted of a guided embroidery lesson, together with synchronous and asynchronous online communication facilities used to encourage and nurture the emergence of a community of practice of embroiderers. The common goal of the participants was the creation of an embroidered sampler through an online learning experience and virtual connectivity. Hordern and Lynch (2006) outline the process and underlining theories used in developing a VLE for the construction of a virtual learning community. Further enhancement to this study was an investigation of the VLE as to the benefits and value-added of the VLE in developing participants' embroidery skills and the development of an embroidery community in a technical and very new, and often alien, environment.

The paper presented here is a report of a case study into the use of web technologies for the development of embroidery skills, and through this, a creation of a community of practice of online embroiders (or e-stitchers), together with the underlying support of life-long learning. The findings show that the participants acquired both embroidery and computer skills; experienced connectivity within the fledgling community of practice; and expressed empowerment and positive synergy from the opportunity of applying their competence with embroidery to acquire confidence with the new technology they experienced, and enhanced life-long learning practices.