Interact: A Case Study By Matt Dyki School of Commerce Charles Sturt University

How do I see Interact? Provides Flexibility in Teaching Better Integration of Subject Content Enhanced Communication

How do I use Interact? Two subjects – two different ways ACC222 External Reporting –Focus is Interaction with Subject Content MGT220 E-Commerce –Focus is Student to Student Interaction

ACC222 External Reporting Interaction with Content

Background ACC222 2 nd Year Financial Accounting Subject –Basically an introduction into writing annual reports Designed to meet professional requirements Covers a range of different topics –Sometimes unrelated to previous topics 2 Assessment items, 1 Exam –15% Generic Skills, 15% Technical, 70% Exam

Interact Tools used Modules Tool –Primary tool used Announcements Resources Chat Polls Schedule Web Content

The Interactions Student Lecturer Content Chat Room Polls Announcements (1 way) Schedule (1 way) Modules

The Modules Tool Separate Module for each topic Broken down into sections End of each section an exercise –Question on the section –Web Link to explore Worked examples – with Audio End of each module –Audio Lecture –Link to OASIS for a formative quiz on the topic

Interaction in the Modules Tool Student with Content –Identifying Key Points –Web links to find out more information –Exercises to test understanding Including online spreadsheets –Use of Audio to cover different learning styles –OASIS quizzes to reinforce knowledge

Interaction in the Modules Tool Lecturer with Content –Interaction through integration of materials Developing Interactive spreadsheets MP3 audio lectures OASIS Modules based on lecture notes/exercises –Modules tools makes integration of these separate resources easier and structured

Other Tools Announcements –Separates my more important messages from the clutter of the forum –If it is an announcement take note… Resources –Similar to flexible publishing used the same way Chat –Useful to answer questions in a more informal way. –An hour chat session may save two-three hours of answering s or forum posts. –Complete archive which is useful if student misses session

Other Tools Polls –Used for getting feedback on various things Schedule –Good for highlighting due dates, and class activities Web Content –Link to subject forum –Online learning modules

Feedback from Students “I have just been through Interact and its fantastic. I am currently going through readings for topic 2 and going through interact has really clarified a lot for me. I have just started and have found this subject already full on and knowing that we have access to additional material has allowed me to relax a bit.”

MGT220 E-Commerce Student to Student Interaction

Background MGT220 Elective Subject General Overview to E-Commerce –Types of E-Commerce –Laws, Business Strategies –Latest Developments Assessment includes 3 group assignments

Interact Tools used Announcements Resources Chat Polls Schedule Web Content News Most importantly, separate Project Sites for each group

Main Workspace Used in very similar ways to ACC222 Also News - Links to E-Commerce Times RSS feeds Web Content – Link to Turnitin, students are required to submit assignments to Turnitin and EASTS

Project Sites Main use of Interact in this subject Groups have complete ownership –Each member has full admin rights –Thus group can configure and use the tools they wish. Aim is for Student to Student Interaction

Tools Used in Project Sites Basically the same tools as I use Announcements –Sending messages to each other, recorded on line Resources –Uploading and modifying group work –Creates a central storage point Chat –Used for group meetings

Tools Used in Project Sites Schedule –Clearly identities group deadlines –Who does what when Web content –Link to group sub-forum All of these are used to create, and achieve, Student to Student Interaction

Tools Used in Project Sites Schedule –Clearly identities group deadlines –Who does what when Web content –Link to group sub-forum All of these are used to create, and achieve, Student to Student Interaction

Results Significant improvement in quality of group work Groups are communicating much easier Genuine bonding seems to be occurring when compared to previous offerings.

The Other Tools

All of these are used to create, and achieve, Student to Student Interaction

Time Factor ACC222 –The modules are based on already prepared material (or material in production) reformatted into Interact Can be reused next session Some extra time setting up, long term savings Material was not developed just for Interact MGT220 –Group set up takes a few minutes longer per group There has been less group issues then in the past thanks to Interact As such the extra time taken to set up as been offset

Conclusion Interact provides –Great flexibility –Better integration of resources –Better communication –Better teaching