frequently asked questions
What is the 'DL Archive'?
Who created this site, and why?
What are the primary aims of this site?
What is this "guided tour" all about?
How is this site structured?
How do I navigate around this site?
Why is there a section of "useful links" on every page?
Are there any other useful links provided?
What are all the support pages about?
When is the next update?
What do I do if I have a question that's not covered here or some feedback?
What is the 'DL Archive'?
The DL (Discussion List) Archive is a simple website created for the primary purpose of archiving discussions from the Aston University English Academic Subject Group Majordomo discussion list.
Who created this site, and why?
This site was created by Jerry Talandis Jr., a Japan-based MSc course participant (CP) from 2001 to 2006, as part of his dissertation, which can be downloaded from here as a pdf file.
What are the primary aims of this site?
My primary aim in creating this site was not only to preserve past discussion list discussions, but to turn that mountain of data into a useful tool that supports current situated learning. This site is based on the premise that interacting with our community's discourse history is A Good Thing. Current course participants can learn a lot from the experiences of those who have gone before. For example, new CPs can:
- quicken the socialization process of masters-level study,
- get help on Foundation Module portfolio tasks, and
- learn the ins and outs of deciding a course pathway.
Reading past discussions can also:
- inspire ideas for assignments,
- give an overview of important issues pertaining to each module, and
- provide background & context for current discussions on the list.
In addition, a main aim of the site is to encourage more use of the discussion list. After all, as McDermott says, "learning is in the relationships between people."
What is this "guided tour" all about?
The "Guided Tour" is not an overview of the site, but a series of reflective tasks designed to encourage interaction with past discussions. The tasks have been created to help guide CPs through the miriad of discussions to content focused on helping meet primary needs: finishing the FND successfully, getting assignment inspiration, and providing background & context for current DL discussions. By interacting more closely with our community's discourse history, it's my hope that CPs will derive greater support from the experiences of others and feel more encouraged to add thier experiences to our collective body of work.
How is this site structured?
How do I navigate around this site?
This site was designed to provide easy access to archived discussions. Threads are organized by module, with an extra category called "general topics" for discussions that don't fit neatly into any particular course. Discussion threads can be accessed in four ways, via the:
1. Course module links at the top and upper right of every page. Simply click on an acronym or course title and you'll be taken to a list of discussions pertaining to that module.
2. Keyword search. Every page has a search box in the upper right. Simply type in what you're looking for and access relevant discussion threads from the list of results. For added precision, click on the Advanced Search link (under the search box). Advanced search allows you to configure your search results in various ways, such as how many results are displayed, with or without summaries, by date or by score, etc.
3. Site map. This new feature allows you to get an overal view of the entire site's contents. Using the site map offers a more direct path to the archived threads by bypassing the category pages.
4. Updates section. This link (located under the search box and in the "DL Archive Support" section) enables access to a page of only the most recently added discussions. This is a good place to visit if you just want to browse the most recently added content.
In addition, there are various support pages that either aid in site navigation or provide background information. These pages can be accessed in three places: at the top of each page under the search box, in the "DL Archive Support" section on the right, and at bottom of each page, in the footer.
Why is there a section of "useful links" on every page?
These links enable access to a few highly useful resources that CPs often use and were added to each page in order to encourage their use. From this section of links you can check your Aston Squirrelmail account, login in to Blackboard, access articles via Athens, search the Internet with Google Scholar, and connect to other MSc support sites (the QSG, Links for Aston MSc, & Phil's EFL Support Site).Are there any other useful links provided?
Yes; just click on the "More links..." link in this section. This will take you to a page with a complete listing of useful web-based resources. Again, this is not an exhaustive list. The idea is not to list every possible useful link, but to integrate this site into the community of Aston MSc support.What are all the support pages about?
About this Site
This page contains background info on the creation of this site as well
as detailed notes on updates and any maintenance.
Advanced Search
This page enables you to search the contents of this site with greater
precision than the search box on each page. Go here if you need to narrow
down your search parameters or customize the way you view the results.
Guided Tour
Reflective tasks designed to guide CPs toward the advantages of interacting
with our community's discourse history can be found on this page. The
tasks are meant to showcase how interacting with past discussions can
aid current situated learning. As such, the tasks strive to support practical
aims, such as orientation and advice for beginners as well as ideas
and inspiration for CPs at any stage of completion.
Help
Basic site information is presented in a tried and ture "Frequently Asked
Questions" format. If you have a question that is not covered here, please
email the webmaster.
Links
A list of links relevant to our study experience are included on every
page of the site, in the "Useful Links" section on the right.
The aim here is to provide easy access to commonly used resources.
Note: for a more complete list of links, visit the
Aston
MSc Quick Start Guide, Paul Raper's "Links
for Aston MSc"
site, or Phil Quirke's "EFL
Support Site".
Raw DL Data
Instructions for downloading DL discussion threads in their raw, unedited state can be found on this page. Follow the link in the "DL Archive Support" section on the right. Use this raw data for your own research purposes.
There is a lot of our discourse history that remains unexplored.
Site Map
The site map can help you access threads a bit more quickly. If you already
know what you're looking for, then the site map is the fastest way to get
there. In addition, the site map provides a broad overview of the site's
contents, giving users "the lay of the land", so to speak.
Updates
This page contains links to all of the most recently added discussions. Click
here to access the latest content quickly.
When is the next update?
Notice of when the next update will happen can be found at the bottom of the main page.
What do I do if I have a question that's not
covered here?
Please contact the webmaster. Any questions,
comments, or constructive criticisms are most welcome.
with 
and 
