Utilising Canvas to create a collaborative learning environment….. Dr Matthew Timmis Matthew.Timmis@anglia.ac.uk Dept. Sport and Exercise Sciences

3 questions to address Can you create a collaborative learning environment in canvas? Does this improve student progression? Does this raise the student experience?

Context Module leader for L5 15 credit module Practical Competencies in Biomechanics 41 students enrolled To achieve PSRB recognition, need to assess practical competencies of the students Talk you through what I did and how Canvas was used to achieve this. For our degree to achieve PSRB recognition, we need to assess practical competencies of the students in a number of sub-disciplines. I used this opportunity to create a collaborative learning environment – talk you through what I did and how I used canvas to facilitate this.

Students: become proficient in setting up, collecting and analysing data using a range of kit 2D analysis 3D analysis Kinanthropometry Force plate analysis EMG So the task in this module if for students to become proficient in setting up, collecting and analysing data using a bunch of kit to analyse how people move. Dynamometry

How did we go about assessing these competencies? Week 12 Practical based summative assessment in the lab. Students taught how to use the kit in practical sessions Outside of teaching, students undertook formative task of recording and upload their competencies Allowed me to give feedback on their performance I will show you how students captured their competencies Practical Competencies in Biomechanics Canvas Link Throughout the module, students were required to work in groups, capturing their competencies which then fed into a final practical based assessment in the lab. I will show you how students captured their competencies.

Uploading videos I needed to formally sign of their competencies. Rather than me be in the lab each time students wanted me to sign something off, students were placed in small groups and required to record their competency and upload onto Canvas. Gave then the freedom to complete their competencies when they want and I could assess when I wanted to.

Familiarisation As all good teacher does, firstly check for understanding. Practice recording and uploading in the lecture.

Students had their own designated space on Canvas for uploading videos.

Uploading competency I could then access the competency and watch it.

My feedback Students identify what they were claiming their competency for – and include all students present. I could then watch and provide feedback. Explain what the comments mean on right hand column

Competency log And most importantly, then go onto the practical competencies log and complete for them

Talk through top column headings and how each needed to be achieved to get a red column to denote element of competency achieved. If they didn’t achieve all elements in the competency, I could give them specific feedback on canvas.

Assessments How did the students perform? Weekly in-class tests based upon lecture, lab and computer content 70±22% Summative assessment in the lab – set up & collect data 66±23% Written portfolio based on data collected and analysed 57±25% Overall module mark 64±21%.

Grade distribution N = 25 N = 22 N = 7 N = 5 N = 3 N = 0 It is really positive that those who attended, on the whole did really well in the module. This results in Sharon giving me a thumbs up. But this is what has really annoyed me and results in Sharon giving me a thumbs down. Despite designing an interactive module, students working together, lecture, lab and computer sessions using exciting kit some students still don’t engage. Don’t turn up, don’t submit anything. All of those 7 students failed to submit to every element – and it is infuriating. N = 3 N = 0

MES 5.1 Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the module. 9.3 / 10 7.1 What do you like best about the module? 29 responses 22 mentioned practical aspect

MES ‘Too many’ ‘Way groups were formed’ ‘Way groups were formed’ 7.2 How could we improve the module? 24 responses 9 mentioned practical aspect ‘Too many’ ‘Way groups were formed’ How do the students think I could improve the module? ‘Way groups were formed’

3 questions to address Can you create a collaborative learning environment in canvas? YES Does this raise the student experience? MES and free text comments suggest Yes (need to do some tweaking for next year) Does this improve student progression? If they engage, Yes. So let’s return back to the beginning.

My reflections How do we engage the non-engagers? Is it realistic to think we can engage every student in the cohort? Maybe I did get a bit too excited putting in too many competencies to achieve in 12 weeks. I am not finishing on a negative but on a reflective point. No matter what I do, there are always a handful of students that don’t engage. Are we ever going to engage all students in our cohort?

Thanks for listening! Acknowledgements Want help using a similar approach in your module? Email me, I am happy to help Matthew.Timmis@Anglia.ac.uk Acknowledgements Anglia Learning & Teaching: Funding research project Collaborators Mrs Rupal Lovell-Patel, Dr Toby Carter, Dr Sian Shaw, Dr Dan Gordon, Dr James Johnstone