1. Dr A Armellini & Dr M Nie Beyond Distance Research Alliance 21 April 2009 http://www.le.ac.uk/beyonddistance/duckling/

2. 3 programmes, 2 disciplines, 2 years  Online MA in Applied Linguistics and TESOL  MSc Occupational Psychology  MSc Psychology of Work Project started in January 2009 Funded by JISC

3. Stakeholder involvement Key stakeholders:  Course teams  Students  Employers

4. Challenges for both teams  Interaction between students and tutors  Materials too ‘dry’  Personalisation  Mobility and flexibility

5. Specific pedagogical challenges (so far!)  Psychology: assessment and support Dissertation Essays Supervision process Threshold concepts Research methods Feedback provision  Education: learning and teaching Using each medium for what it does best, e.g. audio for varieties of English and discourse analysis

6. DUCKLING: 3 technologies to enhance curriculum delivery  Podcasting  E-book readers  Second Life

7. Psychology podcast series  Dissertation podcast series 20-25 podcasts to enhance the supervision process  Module 1 podcast series 15-20 podcasts to address research methods challenges  Threshold concepts Currently being planned, within various modules  Feedback to assignments & dissertation 4 podcasts so far

8. Producing Outstanding Dissertations Key conceptsSectionsPurposeDurationWho Navigate handbook Informal supplement to handbook 1 Introduction/Inspire Get students to use handbook 1 minAndrew Socialise Help at design stage Supervisors: who they are 2 State who we are & roles 2 minsAll Structure of dissertation Different routes 3 Explain/ Discuss deliverables 4 minsSue Help you to do justice to work Procedures, advice Expectations 4 Outline of the whole podcast series 2 minsRay

9. Love your dissertation handbook Key conceptsSectionsPurposeDurationWho Professional development How handbook was developed Purpose & common issues Benefits for students (dissertation less stressful!) 1 Provide link with 1 st podcast Highlight utility of handbook ‘Selling’ the handbook 3 minsRay Walk through main bits Sequence of the handbook 2 Highlight content How to maximise benefit 3 minsSue Continuous use Quick reference guide (e.g. marking criteria, plan structure) Start with the end in mind 3 How to use handbook 3 minsAll Link to Blackboard Supervisor’s role General advice 4 Using it alongside the rest of supervision process 1 minRay

10. What makes a good research question Key conceptsSectionsPurposeDurationWho Achievable? Novelty/repeat? Narrow/broad 1 To highlight the importance of good, researchable questions 3 mins Andrew/ Kelly Read around Operational problem Research issue Developing method/instrument 2 Explain focus/stimuli 3 mins Andrew/ Kelly Private/public agenda Strength of idea to meet criteria 3 Explain aims you need to have in mind 3 mins Andrew/ Kelly Main points4Recap1 min Andrew/ Kelly

11. Education podcast series  World Englishes series Interview with BDRA colleagues Integrated into Module 3: Language, Discourse and Society, SOCIOLINGUISTICS, Unit 3 World Englishes  Middle English series  Phonology series  Student-produced podcasts for learner- learner interaction, study skills, time management, etc.

12. World Englishes examples  Example 1 – Birmingham (6’ 30’’)  Example 2 – Bulgaria (7’ 24’’)

13. Summary  1 st iteration of curriculum delivery changes implemented through the integration of podcasts  Interventions using SL and e-readers planned  Creative ideas already under discussion to address specific pedagogical challenges  Subsequent design and delivery interventions informed by action research loops