1. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK1 Dr T. Laoui 1, John ODonoghue 2 University of Wolverhampton 1 School of Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE) 2 Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Development of a virtual learning environment (VLE) for first year students taking Materials Science/Technology module

2. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK2 Projects aim This project aims to develop a virtual learning environment and computer aided learning that will enable the students develop their skills and achieve their learning outcomes at a self-determined independent level.

3. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK3 Projects partners This project is a collaboration between: Staff involved in teaching materials module from SEBE and Staff involved in teaching materials module from SEBE and CELT at the University including a Senior Learning and Teaching Fellow and the E- Content Development Team CELT at the University including a Senior Learning and Teaching Fellow and the E- Content Development Team.

4. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK4 Project description Reasons for undertaking this project: Reasons for undertaking this project: students struggle with some of the materials concepts given in this module students struggle with some of the materials concepts given in this module lack of sufficient background reading lack of sufficient background reading students miss a few lectures disturbance in their build up of the knowledge and concepts poor performance in their assessments students miss a few lectures disturbance in their build up of the knowledge and concepts poor performance in their assessments.

5. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK5 Project description Methodology: Methodology: Set up individual account in the university VLE for all students taking this module Set up individual account in the university VLE for all students taking this module Provide lecture notes containing the power point presentations Provide lecture notes containing the power point presentations Include animations to the lecture notes to better visualise some phenomena related to the given concepts Include animations to the lecture notes to better visualise some phenomena related to the given concepts Incorporate video recording of the practicals Incorporate video recording of the practicals.

6. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK6 Evaluation strategy The project impact will be evaluated via student discussion and exit questionnaires. The project impact will be evaluated via student discussion and exit questionnaires. Students will be involved in forums and discussion with their respective peers and lecturers/tutors to assess the effectiveness of this innovative approach to teaching and learning Students will be involved in forums and discussion with their respective peers and lecturers/tutors to assess the effectiveness of this innovative approach to teaching and learning Suitable remarks and feedback received from the first implementation will be incorporated into the developed VLE tool Suitable remarks and feedback received from the first implementation will be incorporated into the developed VLE tool.

7. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK7 VLE project Show the VLE tool developed so far Show the VLE tool developed so far.

8. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK8 Evaluation 75% return 75% return a significant appreciation and a welcoming for using this mode of study a significant appreciation and a welcoming for using this mode of study greater understanding of the concept of atomic structure as a consequence of the animations greater understanding of the concept of atomic structure as a consequence of the animations –…the main strength of the VLE project is that I can review the stuff covered in lectures and the parts I didn't understand so well I can go through them at my own pace… –…that this type of approach be implemented to other subjects so students can gather a better understanding of the lecture from another perspective in a less complicated view….

9. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK9 Evaluation Welcome additional formative assessment Welcome additional formative assessment –…more self-assessment questions would be appreciated to gauge yourself on how much you understand the concepts or short tutorial questions with solutions given at the end… –..to improve, l think if tutorial questions were to be increased, with solutions given at the end, it would help the students to self assess themselves….

10. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK10 Future work/development As well as visual reinforcement via simulation link to practical experience and experimentation. As well as visual reinforcement via simulation link to practical experience and experimentation. Develop formative assessment and associated tracking to evaluate the weaknesses and strengths of both students and the system Develop formative assessment and associated tracking to evaluate the weaknesses and strengths of both students and the system Endeavour foster a deeper understanding by the application and reinforcement of knowledge in other domains Endeavour foster a deeper understanding by the application and reinforcement of knowledge in other domains.

11. 24-26 July 2006EE2006 Conference, Liverpool, UK11 Thank you for your attention.