Supporting Learners through Changing Modalities & Working in Dual Modalities Trisha Poole & Linda Ward Charles Sturt University Bathurst Campus thinking planning doing being

thinking planning doing being

Scene: Take 1 – The Subject TESOL content “Clunky” Old fashioned “Clunky” Old fashioned Content heavy Practical skills Content heavy Practical skills Distance education Paper-based Distance education Paper-based This is a practical subject... This must be more interactive... thinking planning doing being

Scene: Take 2 – The Students Postgraduate DE students Predominantly females aged 23 to 55 80% living in Australia 20% living overseas 80% living in Australia 20% living overseas 70% living in urban areas 30% living in regional areas 70% living in urban areas 30% living in regional areas Perceived tech skills = very low Literacy Language Literacy Language thinking planning doing being

thinking planning doing being Rationale...students visually stimulated......interactive study guide......authentic learning......model pedagogy......analyse online learning experience......authentic learning......interactive study guide... Rationale

thinking planning doing being Rationale...students need change......interactivity  learning......student reliance on print......model pedagogy......previous attempts at online interactions......online resources......student resistance... Rationale

thinking planning doing being Blended Delivery Printed readings Option to print study guide Hardcopy textbooks Online study guide (interactive) Online readings Assessed online participation Online support structures

thinking planning doing being Blended Delivery – Tools Communication Events Changes Common announcements Informal discussions More formal spaces Assessment Blogs EASTS Forums Learning Materials Subject outline Study guide Extra resources WebQuests Help Feedback Evaluation Forums Site diagnostics

thinking planning doing being Tools: Communication Communication Events Changes Common announcements Informal discussions More formal spaces Tool Announcements, Calendar Announcements Announcements, Forums Chat room Forums Learner Comments “love chatting” “feel more connected” “feel less alone” Support No structured support provided Students helping each other understand Evaluation Clear delineation between chat & forums With chat, forums become more academic Good to split formal/informal discussion WTFH Define how each space will be used Use chat for students only Forums remains more academic

thinking planning doing being Tools: Learning Materials Communication Subject outline Study guide Extra resources WebQuests Help Tool Subject Outline (MSI) Modules Resources Web Content Tool Help Learner Comments “didn’t know SO existed” “modules are hard to study” “love the interactiveness” Support Notifications about delivery method Students helping each other understand Evaluation Explicit rationale for BL approach BL is challenging but beneficial Check all links & content! Prepare well & in advance WTFH Module design for clarity More scaffolding for BL Consider print options

thinking planning doing being Tools: Assessment Communication Blogs EASTS Forums Tool Blogs EASTS Forums Learner Comments “What’s a blog?!?” “Can’t I post my assignment?” “I don’t like forums...” Support Explicit instructions provided via Peer support Evaluation Blogs are more cumbersome EASTS is good for online marking Forums are good for formative assessment WTFH No blogs unless assessment is progressive EASTS (only) submission method Forums good for formative asst

thinking planning doing being Tools: Feedback Communication Evaluation Forums Site diagnostics Tool Evaluation Forums Site info, Site stats Learner Comments “Online learning is hard but I now appreciate the experience.” “I paid for this subject: why is CSU transferring the cost to me?” Support No explicit support support Evaluation Evaluation is good, but biased to the minority that respond Site diagnostics is great to evaluate which tools & how they are being used WTFH Always use site diagnostics Always ask for feedback Provide alternative methods

thinking planning doing being What Now??? Add functionality Synchronous environments Feeds WebQuests ePortfolio systems Add functionality Synchronous environments Feeds WebQuests ePortfolio systems Prepare students Provide a paper-based guide prior to study session Provide online tutorials (where appropriate) More scaffolding (particularly in online study methods) Provide rationale for BL Prepare students Provide a paper-based guide prior to study session Provide online tutorials (where appropriate) More scaffolding (particularly in online study methods) Provide rationale for BL Clarify intentions Cleaner study guide Clearer directions State expectations Clarify intentions Cleaner study guide Clearer directions State expectations

Questions? Comments? Time permitting: Live site demo thinking planning doing being