1. Cromarty in the Classroom: a virtual field course Steve Fletcher Southampton Institute

2. Motivation Limited resources / time for real visit Need to transfer concept to reality Funding!

3. Aims of the field course… Review the approach to coastal management policy exhibited in Scotland. Evaluate the application of coastal management policy in the Cromarty Firth. Contrast the competing values that influence coastal management policy and practice in the Cromarty Firth.

4. Technology Intranet hosted Learnwise Resource base Discussion board Chat room Communication tool

5. Contents of the website Tour of the Cromarty Firth Interviews with stakeholders Conference proceedings Newsletters and reports Statistics Links and references

6. Tutors roleStudents role PBL Approach Provide the problem Seek information to address the problem Conventional Approach Provide information Apply transmitted information to a problem Problem Based Learning

7. PBL Process 6 coastal management themes Groups of 5-6 students Self-defined problem Cromarty Firth Conference No formal assessment of field course

8. Each group provided with: Scenario Introduction to PBL and website Written information pack (papers) List of further information available (maps, etc.)

9. Evaluation Divergence of views Encouraged deeper thought Identified links Typified by… Mix of motivations and engagement Group management variable

10. Student comment Enjoyable I learned more Good quality information I would have liked more lecturing waste of time non-assessed work produces limited enthusiasm good experience for those who put the effort in

11. Observations… Works well… Discrete geographical area Preferably unknown to students Information base available (online) Appreciate… Awareness of student-teacher roles Integrate with entire unit of study