Embedding Elluminate live into learning and support – experience from an international module Gordon Hill School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care

Background to module Clinical Research Organisation Course for Clinical Research Associates Post-graduate module International emphasis Blended approach First group in Sept 2007 (6 more since then)

Students 80 students have undertaken module to date Students have come from: – UK, China, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Australia, Lithuania, Italy, Israel, Taiwan, Canada, USA and Argentina Module was also delivered in Hong Kong in May 2009 (will now delivered twice per year in HK) – Elluminate link up with other lecturers in Edinburgh!

CRA Training - Practice Blended Approach - 8 days face to face followed up by on line material and on line tutorials Content – Legislation – Communication skills – Research Ethics – Role of CRA and others – Informed consent – Regulation of clinical trials Summative assessments – Mock interview/reflective account & essay

Electronic resources Elluminate Live Elluminate Web CT Vista – Content – Discussion boards – Embedded media clips – Allows asynchronous discussion and sharing of resources – Turning Point – Youtube clips

Challenge Once the students had left Edinburgh/HK how could we continue to engage with them? Elluminate Live

What is Elluminate Live? Simulation of a real classroom with whiteboard and projector Use of microphones and speakers for a live lecture/discussion An interactive learning environment where students can raise hands, ask questions and write on the whiteboard Moderator control functions that allow the lecturer to call on students to speak Live polling and quizzes Student breakout groups that allow the lecturer to divide students into small groups and then bring the entire class back together Instant messaging for questions and comments during the lecture or for those without a microphone Allows for recording of sessions Not weather dependant!

Other opportunities – Mock interview assessment Interview reviewed and Marked by 2 other lecturers Interview sent to External Examiner Feedback to student Feedback to Module team Student

Feedback from external examiner Getting the Elluminate clip of the interview like this has been excellent in regards to the external examiner being able to view the interview. I would suggest that this could be used for most interactive assessments and sent to the external examiner to review.

Challenges Managing the technology Staff/students learning how to use Elluminate Live Differences in IT proficiency of group Confidence in speaking English using microphones Bandwidth problems Use of webcam causes problems Especially in Eastern Europe /proxy servers ? Use telephone facility Opening applications within Elluminate Live Maximum benefit relies on purchase of other equipment Problems with Java/firewalls Problems if more than one student shares a PC

Challenges Managing an international group Cultural/legislative differences Language barriers – Problems with written work – Critical analysis Asynchronous learning Different time zones Access to Library resources

Key to success… Get training Ask for someone to sit in on first sessions Positive approach Flexibility Clarity about expectations in sessions Collaborative approach Introduction in face-to-face sessions IT support (from us and the company) MUCH better with small groups (i.e. <10 students)

Feedback from students “It’s great to catch up again” “Really useful to revise some of the topics covered in Edinburgh” “Resolved issues relating to accessibility to the Library” “Helped with the continuity of the module” “Technology didn’t work” “Three of us shared one PC and that didn’t work” “I hate JAVA!”

Future developments… Investigate use of Telephone system in Elluminate Live Use Elluminate Live to facilitate feedback Use of Camtasia to: – Enhance use of Web CT – improve online orientation – Improve key academic skills ? Use of second life and podcasts

Use in other modules Elluminate Live is also now used in Principles of Research and Evidence Based Practice Czech group Very important in international developments On-line tutorials and support via Elluminate live Also useful for small groups for locally based students