Promoting student engagement through online seminars

Introduction In-house research and monitoring within the Criminology staff group at Swansea University and targeted research conducted as part of the tHE programme (focused on alignment and assessment) highlighted student engagement as a crucial pedagogical issue. In particular, there was anecdotal evidence from students and staff of an important pedagogical relationship between seminar attendance, quality of participation in seminar discussion, learning style and diversity of teaching methods.

Student Engagement quality of participation in seminar diversity of teaching methods seminar attendance learning style

Module Learning Outcomes Compare and contrast different forms of criminological research in applied settings Evaluate some of the problems and dilemmas that are associated with applied criminological research Provide a reflective account/report of an applied criminological investigation Prepare and deliver a group presentation of the applied research project Locate and retrieve sources of criminological research in paper and electronic form

Methodology The level 3 module: Applied Research Methods in Criminology, utilised the Blackboard Discussions forum to deliver seminars These sessions were aligned with learning outcomes They were grounded in group-based peer learning The seminars were moderated and facilitated by teaching staff Attendance was recorded participation was monitored through retrospective qualitative analysis of electronic discussion logs

Outcomes: Quantitative Student attendance levels – Compared with other research methods modules – Compared with Level 3 modules in general Assessment trends at group and individual student level Improvements in participation levels

ModuleMarkLecture AttendanceSeminar Attendance 313 – Applied Research Methods – Research Methods in Criminology – Young Offenders & Youth Justice – Gender, Crime & Criminal Justice – Critical Criminology Average for level 3 modules in semester

Outcomes: Qualitative Staff satisfaction – teaching staff – Greater flexibility – Improved staff-student relationship – easier alignment, – increased student engagement – diversity of delivery methods – practical benefits Staff satisfaction – departmental level Student satisfaction – Informal feedback during seminars – Feedback from staff-student liaison committee