Learning Technology Development

edgehill.ac.uk/ls David Callaghan September 2013 “How I engaged my students” One tutor’s experience that produced outstanding results.

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Gain an understanding of some of the techniques to engage students –Focus on online courses –Focus on dissertation. Consider using some of these techniques with your students. Know where to go for further help / support Learning Outcomes (Aims of this session)

edgehill.ac.uk/ls My drivers: To give a good student experience To experience using these technologies myself Why?

edgehill.ac.uk/ls I got results … … outstanding results: (but it was a strong cohort) Why listen to me?

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Student engagement… … generating a ‘community’: Three main tools: Video - incl. conferencing Tracking Discussion So, how did I do this?

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Uses: Introduction Content Feedback Embedded Video

edgehill.ac.uk/ls and recording Video – web conferencing

edgehill.ac.uk/ls ‘New’ in SP12 –(was the Early Warning System) Help identify students ‘at risk’ –Missed deadlines –Grades –Activity –Access Tutors create ‘rules’ System can en-mass Use to send ‘well done’ and ‘what next’ messages Tracking: Retention Centre

edgehill.ac.uk/ls I found their personal address and ed them … If they still didn’t engage:

edgehill.ac.uk/ls I found their home phone numbers and called them … I found their mobile numbers and them … I kept calling until I got to talk to them … There was no escape! (I’m not aware of any complaints) (… and I went to their graduation …) If they STILL didn’t engage!?

edgehill.ac.uk/ls ‘ … quaking in my boots …’ One story …

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Notify by when others post Increases engagement Speeds up discussion Reduces frustration Discussion subscription

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Ask a question Share ideas Post thoughts about what they were working on Post draughts of chapters Look at peers work Get feedback from the tutor (me) on their work Look at other peers feedback from me Discussion to:

edgehill.ac.uk/ls … peer feedback … That moved from simple mechanical comments –Well done!? –Spelling –Referencing To insightful critical comments –… that significantly improved others work –… that significantly improved MANY others work! Discussion led to …

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Video Tracking Discussion Summarising the major tools:

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Announcements Timed announcements Performance Dashboard –drilling down to see student performance Originality check –Turnitin Test student account –what the student ‘sees’ Formatting items Grade centre Mobile Next slide Other tools:

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Announcements – incl links to resources: This example shows: YouTube for verbal feedback Notes from a tutorial Announcements

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Tidy up your act Set a date restriction Automatically remove out-of-date announcements Stops students re-reading old messages Timed announcements

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Track student progress Pick out students that: –Haven’t logged on Drill down … –Discussion contributions Performance Dashboard

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Use for formative assessment Originality report Turnitin

edgehill.ac.uk/ls To get a ‘students eye’ view Test student activity –Submissions –Assignments / Tests –Availability (content, results) –Retention rules To enable: Go to the course Control Panel -> Course tools -> Add Test Student Your test student name is your login name followed by _s, e.g., callagda_s Can be enrolled into any course. Test Student

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Use the HTML editor to improve the appearance of your text: Font sizes Colour Highlights Hyperlinks Be consistent throughout the course. Formatting ‘Items’

edgehill.ac.uk/ls By default - all columns are available Columns are created for all assessed work Default columns for Total and Weighted Total Grades displayed to students through My Grades – via the original submission link. Can create columns for non-online activities. Smart Views MANAGE your Grade Centre Note: separate DDE session Grade Centre

edgehill.ac.uk/ls There is a full guide available – here: Mobile friendly advice for: Content (PDF etc.) Discussion Announcements Embedded media –YouTube –Audio files. Emphasis on Two-way communication: –E.g.: Announcement about running late. Mobile

edgehill.ac.uk/ls What will you be using with your students this year? Take away messages

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Sources of help: Learning Technology Team: Tinyurl.com\LTDGuides … and ondemand.blackboard.comondemand.blackboard.com

edgehill.ac.uk/ls Later today please take a couple of minutes to reflect on: What you liked about this session What you think could have been done to improve it... and me your thoughts: Many thanks, David Evaluation