School of Health and Social Care Lessons from an e-teaching experience Dr Marion Watson
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer P46650 Distance Learning Module Planning and Managing Clinical Trials Previously taught face to face Updated and rewritten for distance learning for April 2007 Running non-semester
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer P46650 Distance Learning Module Student experience Workbook Module handbook 10 units CE6 with general information and 10 unit sections supporting the workbook E-tivities 2 short marked essays submitted via CE6 (70%) On-line MCQ/short answer exam (30%)
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer P46650 Distance Learning Module E-tivities = Electronic Activities 7 throughout the module (must do 4 or 5) Maximum of 1 per unit No e-tivities on weeks with marked essays All produced on CE6 or submitted via CE6 Help students keep to timetable
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer P46650 Distance Learning Module E-tivities = Electronic Activities Progressive complexity and individuality Student homepage and virtual café Short text submissions ( words) -Open to all via discussion board -Closed, teaching staff only, via assignment dropbox On-line group discussions (3-6 people per group) Quizzes (Respondus)
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – CE6 layout Keep it simple Keep it obvious Headings and titles Avoid multiple routes to the same place Two to three clicks to anywhere Make sure things are in the right place
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Student help Include a Hints and Tips section Use links to other sources of help including SHSC Intranet, Learning Technologists’ blog Develop an FAQ section under Hints and Tips and keep adding to it Glossary
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Discussion board Structure Set up threads from the beginning Include a general discussion thread Messages from the tutors worked well Virtual café or similar for non-course related chat Set rules What goes on the discussion board (most queries and comments) When to you (personal e.g. extensions) Be strict!
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Discussion board Tell students when you will be checking the discussion board Remind them of your availability for the times just before or after an assignment deadline Don’t be too available Avoids unreasonable student expectations Reduces work, students answer each other’s queries
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Communication Avoid agreeing to copy messages to multiple addresses Written comments come back to bite you (and them) Remove anything offensive or anything personal (reply by ) or anything that gives too much away to others on assignments
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Student expectations Some students quick to complain especially if they never meet or talk to you Instant responses Automatic marking Accuracy Text Working links Consistent information
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Lessons learned – Student expectations Personal feedback to all work and discussion queries Not realistic Give generic feedback where-ever possible or the workload on e-tivities would become horrendous; accept you will get comments ‘you left mine out…’ Despite feedback within quizzes and directions to judge their answers themselves many expect individual marking
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer Marked assignments The lack of classroom discussion and question/answer sessions is a problem. Providing guidance online is never clear to all students and misinterpretation is common. Asking to see an essay plan picks up the worst problems Referencing guide is an essential tool – keep referring to it as an answer to queries where possible.
Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer On-line Exams Nerve wracking! P46650 exam has a 40 question MCQ/short answer Students and staff experienced with the system through formative quizzes Contingency – and fax versions (not needed so far!)