1. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d www.usq.edu.au Effective use of WebCT in a PBL course for dual mode delivery Dr Thiru Aravinthan A/Prof John Worden Faculty of Engineering and Surveying University of Southern Queensland Australia

2. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Outline IntroductionIntroduction How did we use WebCT in ENG2102?How did we use WebCT in ENG2102? How Effective were the Tools?How Effective were the Tools? Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

3. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d About WebCT E-learning systemE-learning system Introduced in USQ in 2002Introduced in USQ in 2002 Currently Version 3.0Currently Version 3.0

4. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d ENG2102 Team based PBL courseTeam based PBL course Over 215 students (ONC and EXT)Over 215 students (ONC and EXT) Over 33 TeamsOver 33 Teams

5. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d TeamworkTeamwork Critical thinkingCritical thinking Communication skillsCommunication skills Independent learningIndependent learning Problem-solving skillsProblem-solving skills Key graduate attributes

6. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d StatisticsStatistics PhysicsPhysics GIS and mappingGIS and mapping Technical content focus

7. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Main delivery via WebCT Survey formsSurvey forms – Assessments Project deliveryProject delivery – Content files, organisers Report submissionsReport submissions – Assignments Team meetingsTeam meetings –Discussions and Chat

8. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d

9. Initial survey form 210 responded by end of two weeks (out of 225 odd students)210 responded by end of two weeks (out of 225 odd students) 150 responses by first two days of S2150 responses by first two days of S2 External students were active in the first week of releaseExternal students were active in the first week of release

10. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Student teams Most teams with 7 membersMost teams with 7 members Multi-disciplinary teamMulti-disciplinary team 2 - 4 Agriculture/Civil/Environmental 1 - 2 Electrical/Electronic 1 - 2 Mechanical/Mechatronics 1 - 2 Survey/GIS/Land Information Diverse teamDiverse team 2 - 4 BENG/BSUR (4 years) 2 - 3 BTech (3 years) 2 - 3 AD (2 years)

11. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d

12. Team Communication Discussion toolDiscussion tool Chat and WhiteboardChat and Whiteboard Other online chatOther online chat Course mailbox: Eng2102@usq.edu.au

13. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Online Quizzes Serves dual purposeServes dual purpose –Give hints/directions –Check mastery of concepts Short quizzes with varying difficultiesShort quizzes with varying difficulties Formative assessmentFormative assessment Very high rate of participationVery high rate of participation

14. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Electronic submission and marking of Assessments Electronic submissions via WebCTElectronic submissions via WebCT –Only one team submitted late by one day Electronic marking and moderationElectronic marking and moderation Marks and Feedback via WebCTMarks and Feedback via WebCT –Accessibility by all team members –Completed within two weeks of submission Publication of selected team reportsPublication of selected team reports –Useful for collaborative learning

15. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Effectiveness of tools (overall usage) Average of 190 sessions/day (daily logon by each active student)

16. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Effectiveness of tools (overall usage) Based on no of sessions Based on total session time

17. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Effectiveness of tools (discussions)

18. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Desirable Enhancements of WebCT Reduce number of mouse clicksReduce number of mouse clicks Make navigation easyMake navigation easy Improvement to chat facilitiesImprovement to chat facilities Mail tool has limitationsMail tool has limitations Better backup facilitiesBetter backup facilities

19. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Students feedback The use of WebCT to submit assignments is a very good idea. This cuts down on the amount of paper flying around for each project and ensures that On-Campus and External Students are treated the same. Also the use of the discussion boards for asking project related questions is great because it enables us to receive quick answers from the proper technical advisors. This was a great help because if other groups had similar questions, then the question was only asked once and answered once.

20. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Students feedback I would have to say that the biggest improvement.. was that our marks are now individualised. Also the electronic submission setup adopted by you guys is brilliant. Electronic lodgement of our reports provided an excellent way of submitting our assignments, it ensures that assignments are received on time and without any dispute. I found web based submitting of assignments easy (user friendly) and convenient with work especially being able to submit after hours. This saved a lot of travelling for me.

21. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d Concluding Remarks Very high student participation using a wide range of WebCT toolsVery high student participation using a wide range of WebCT tools Widespread acceptance by both ONC and EXT student cohortsWidespread acceptance by both ONC and EXT student cohorts Enables distance students to experience PBL experience in a virtual environmentEnables distance students to experience PBL experience in a virtual environment Some enhancement to WebCT is desirableSome enhancement to WebCT is desirable –Hopefully addressed in Vista 4.0??

22. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d The ENG2102 Course Team (2004)

23. T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n Q u e e n s l a n d www.usq.edu.au Thank you!