1. Using Pebble+ to Manage the Dissertation Process Patrick Viney – Learning Technology Adviser

2. The Academic Need 800+ students, over 100 dissertation supervisors
Solution for managing dissertation proposals / tutor allocation
Solution for managing ethics submissions
Solution for managing tutorial support

3. The Pebble+ / ATLAS Solution
Three Pebble+ workbooks
Dissertation Proposal (Mandatory)
Ethics Submissions (Mandatory)
Supervision log (Optional)
Single ATLAS workspace linked via LTI to Blackboard
Three assignments – One for each workbook.

4. Key Outcomes Substantially reduced administration (LTI link)
Supervisors were allocated a week earlier than previously
Robust and auditable process
Management information
Improved student / academic experience

5. Critical Areas Senior management support
Keeping workbooks / processes simple
Academic engagement with process
Supporting students
Supporting academics

6. New Challenges/Opportunities for 2016/7
Move to Pebble 5
Changes in staff particularly the lead academic

7. Some Feedback
“I am just looking through my u/g dissertation research proposals via Atlas. As you know, I am a complete duffer with technology and have been a little cynical about this innovation. However, I wanted to let you know what a fantastic innovation this is. No longer is my desk cluttered with paper and no longer do I need to juggle triplicate forms or handwrite comments. No longer do I need to file things and then forget where I have filed them. It is wonderful being able to see students’ work on one side of my screen and being able to comment alongside. This innovation massively improves both the efficiency and effectiveness of my feedback and will, in turn, if the full dissertations are uploaded, reduce the time involved in grading while, crucially, providing the student with richer, more readable feedback. I can also see ways in which the medium will enable us to second mark on-line.”