Dr Simon Watts PGR Training Coordinator Faculty of Social Sciences simon.d.watts@uea.ac.uk Pedagogy for the Virtual Classroom: Delivery and Interactivity in the UEA/SeNSS Online Training Series for PGR’s

Aims… To build on the successes of the face-to-face SSF PPD training provision for PGR’s Attendances have risen by 300% since early 2014/15 To better support part-time students ESRC keen to promote innovative training activity and alternative modes-of-delivery To demonstrate collaboration and cohort-building across the ESRC SeNSS DTP consortium

UEA/SeNSS 2016/17… Ran 20 sessions in 2016/17 (Weds 7-9pm) Organised into blocks on academic writing; qualitative & quantitative research skills; finishing up 583 students have attended at an average of 29.15 students per session 226 (or 38.76%) were from UEA 357 (or 61.24%) from other SeNSS institutions 107 (or 47.35%) of UEA students from SSF 119 (or 52.65%) from other faculties

Pedagogy (1): Convenient Access Sessions are very easy to book I do all the administration and operate as the single point of contact Sessions are very easy to access The Electa-Live virtual classroom software is quick and easy to download Attendees all receive an e-mail containing session information/readings/session link

Access Needs… “I think this kind of [training] offer is meeting really important access needs that aren't usually catered for as a student. As the mother of a toddler it was great to be able to 'attend' something from home at this time of day without having travel issues, being at toddler dinner time, etc. Most academic seminars are at a very unhelpful time for me…I expect there are other people who attend these sessions who have similar access needs. Thank you” (City)

Cohort & Community Building… “Very much enjoyed this. Also good to feel part of a group as a part-time distance student” (Surrey) “All your sessions are very informative, but I also find [them] very motivational and inspiring. I think…it is your conversational style of teaching. The virtual sessions also help to reduce the loneliness of a part-time PhD journey” (Kent)

The Electa Virtual Classroom…

Pedagogy (2): Embracing the Text Chat Function

Multi-Directional Interaction…

The Conversational Style Works… “I enjoy these sessions over and above the class-based sessions we have, it's a nice format and to be honest more interactive than class-based sessions! Thanks again” (Royal Holloway) “I really love these sessions - please do more online versions as they in many ways more impactful for me than face to face” (UEA; Education)  

Pedagogy(3): Keeping it Practical… “Thank you so much. You are a very good teacher and I’ve learnt a lot. I really like the fact that you’ve told us what methods you actually use. Practical advice is invaluable. There seems to be a lack of it generally at my university. Many thanks again” (Sussex) “This was one of the most practical and informative sessions I've had since starting my PhD. Full of…strategic, step-by-step advice…Really enjoyed hearing the personal anecdotes and experiences [of the presenter] too” (City)

Pedagogy (4): Keeping it Concrete & Positive… “This is such…excellent training, I love how every point given is supported with examples to clarify. I’m reading now about analysis but I have struggled with the way qualitative analysis is explained in an abstract manner in books and articles, but this training gave me a very practical and easy way to do analysis. Plus the positive way this training was delivered is really encouraging - it is so wonderful to listen to someone who is truly passionate about their work! Thank you…so much and I hope to get the chance to join other training sessions with you” (Essex)

Pedagogy (5): Extending the Experience… “[The session recordings] are like the whole thing that you can experience again and again. Notes, sound recordings, and ppt. That's a very good thing 'to-think-with' [and] it actually makes you less tense during the lecture. I also think these sessions work great for overseas students…I need more time to absorb what had been said and sometimes need to look up for vocabulary. Anyway, thanks again for these great online lectures” (Goldsmiths)

Pedagogy (5): Extending the Experience… “All the sessions I've attended…so far have been really helpful and enjoyable. Thanks for your teaching! It's also really kind of you to offer each of us an opportunity to connect with you individually on the topics - I intend and look forward to doing so” (Sussex)

Is it Making a Difference?… “I am using all the information from these sessions and it has transformed my approach to my…PhD project…I am much more confident in the way that I approach each element of my research and it is down to you! Your course has saved me. I get it now. I am working out a timetable that I can stick to and just quietly get on with the work - I genuinely enjoy it now” (Goldsmiths)

The Future? The UEA/SeNSS Online Training Series will be further expanded in 2017/18 The programme will be offered to other HEI’s for a fee… Sage are interested in publishing a companion text for the online training series based on its ‘outcome-oriented’ approach It will link to the live-taught training sessions and other online materials

THANKS FOR LISTENING ANY QUESTIONS?