Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Supporting Pharmaceutical Chemistry – EBL online Peter Whitton Learning Technologist CEEBL

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Main aims Set up Blackboard VLE for group working –Documents and instructions –Team discussion areas –Individual and team assignments Assist in EBL group work sessions Provide students with a Blackboard and Google Docs introduction Survey student attitudes about using technology for collaborative learning

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning

Discussion areas Set up 30 team discussion areas –5 or 6 students in each –Private space for team working Set up a General discussion area –Open to all Set up 3 Subject Specialism discussion areas –Open to all

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Discussion areas 6 groups 7 groups 12 groups 3 groups 2 groups

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning

Assignments Set up 6 assignments in Blackboard –5 team and 1 individual –Timed release –template coversheet –Incrementally more challenging –Building toward group report and presentation –Late assignments penalised

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Assignments Planning –Roles and responsibilities –Delegation Research –Plagiarism –Citation and sources Editing –Collaborative editorial process –Professional document Presentation

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning

The Survey Created a survey to find out student feelings towards communicating and collaborating online. Created the survey instrument using the free online tool SurveyMonkey

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Communication

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning “We have a thread set up on Facebook where we can have our own little discussion group. It's easier as everybody is constantly checking there [sic] Facebook accounts” “text messages to confirm date and time of the next meeting, about a day or so before the meeting, and to confirm attendance - good if there is a last minute need to cancel the meeting or if someone is unable to attend”.

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Communication Not usefulUseful Face to face meetings3%97% Blackboard’s system31%69% Blackboard’s team discussion boards12%88% Other (Googl , Hotmail, University of Manchester ) 22%78% Social networking (Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, Twitter etc) 10%90% Blackboard’s chat room facility100%0% Instant Messaging (Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger, Skype) 50% Texting using mobiles0%100%

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Communication 93% YES 7% NO

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning “roles were established early and generally adhered to. team members generally took the initiative to contribute” “everyone in our group had different ideas, which helped to do the work as a team”. “everyone seems to have thought about what needs to be discussed before each meeting”

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning “It seemed to be mostly a one way discussion with the leader sending out information and a lack of response from the rest of the team” “We were unable to complete work in advance hence we were unable to proof read and check each others contribution”. “Motivation not that high. Certain team members didn't respond to s or turn up to arranged meetings”.

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Collaboration

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning Collaboration 79% YES 21% NO

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning “No, I would use more direct methods of sharing information which would involve more reaction from the recipients”. “No, I think in EBL a lot of time is wasted arranging meetings and ing each other. EBL is also not very structured so you don't know exactly what you need to include in your reports …I would prefer to do reports individually” “No, it is really complicated sending each other the latest amended version. Would use Google Docs next time”.

Centre for Excellence in Enquiry-Based Learning “Yes, using the discussion board was very useful, although I would probably have more face to face meetings in future” “Yes … easy to communicate using the discussion board, and to attach and send documents using the same system. everyone has access to all the material at the same time, and can access it from any computer … (it) is useful for asking questions and seeing what other groups or individuals have flagged up”. “Yes, I think that the problems encountered were due to team members rather that methods used. ”.