1. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Using Blogs in Summative Assessment - the Student Experience Julie Vuolo and Irene Anderson

2. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Background New module; mature, part-time students N=22 Assessment strategy to: – meet module learning outcomes – respect diversity of student population i.e. differing learning styles and preferences; prior HE experience – give less experienced students an opportunity to gain marks for content over style – minimise plagiarism opportunities

3. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work What we did September 2009: set blog as part of the summative assessment strategy for a 30 credit module (20%) Evaluated the student experience by survey and focus group 8 students in total

4. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Survey Outcomes

5. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Initial Feelings apprehensive exposed scared annoyed intrusive worried self conscious terror nervous additional work expectation in-touch interested

6. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Themes Fear of the unknown Bravery and willingness to engage Collegiality and support Impact on learning

7. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Fear of the Unknown 1.technology, extra work, anxiety 2. associated with Face book; social not education 3.Didn’t realise it would be quite so easy to access....... terminology blog is very slang...it is a word that I’d heard and thrown out my head....I did ask my teenage daughters, what’s a blog?..

8. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Bravery and Willingness to Engage 1.forced to get involved, would not normally speak up but better for me having to do it 2. more personal but does push a bit more Tutor: would you change your mind about coming on the course [if knew about blog in advance]? 3...seriously consider it.. Others felt differently, prefer to know what they were facing in advance 4...different way of learning....exciting...going to do something new......once it was explained...views definitely changed...

9. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Collegiality and Support 1.would not have got to know people so well, challenging as not sure who was enrolled initially 2.Strategic alliance: things that you’re interested in and the ones you are going to keep up... 3.When experiencing difficulties: that you are not the only one. Psychologically it was good. Really interesting reading peoples’...what they have been doing. 4.Tutor support -. very worthwhile having comments from the tutor..reassured..right lines...

10. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Impact on Learning 1.motivation, plagiarism avoidance 2. support, different way of learning 3.focusing and pushing, organised more prepared to do the work, probably would have left it....made me work better towards the assignment.....makes you more aware of what you’ve got to do.....not sure how much I learnt [from others]...great for sort of focusing..choosing your topic...getting the ball rolling.

11. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Feelings After confidentachievable thought- provoking really worthwhileadvantageouspart of groupfantasticencouraginginvolvedaccomplishment

12. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Key messages Expect and respect students feelings of fear and anxiety Ensure academic requirement of blog clear Provide supportive and safe blogging environment Iterate deadlines Pre-course information, written and verbal guidance, practical demonstration, show previous student comments & blogs; emphasise benefits Written guidance inc. marking criteria, agree ground rules Carefully worded, timely feedback from tutors; agree input frequency; put up staff / student photo; facilitate peer support; tutors own blogs Written and verbal deadlines; all to do blog sign off (closure)

13. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Future Evaluate other cohorts Correlate essay and blog outcomes

14. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Useful reading