1. Promoting student engagement through online seminars

2. Introduction In-house research and monitoring within the Criminology staff group at Swansea University and targeted research conducted as part of the tHE programme (focused on alignment and assessment) highlighted student engagement as a crucial pedagogical issue. In particular, there was anecdotal evidence from students and staff of an important pedagogical relationship between seminar attendance, quality of participation in seminar discussion, learning style and diversity of teaching methods.

3. Student Engagement quality of participation in seminar diversity of teaching methods seminar attendance learning style

4. Module Learning Outcomes Compare and contrast different forms of criminological research in applied settings Evaluate some of the problems and dilemmas that are associated with applied criminological research Provide a reflective account/report of an applied criminological investigation Prepare and deliver a group presentation of the applied research project Locate and retrieve sources of criminological research in paper and electronic form

5. Methodology The level 3 module: Applied Research Methods in Criminology, utilised the Blackboard Discussions forum to deliver seminars These sessions were aligned with learning outcomes They were grounded in group-based peer learning The seminars were moderated and facilitated by teaching staff Attendance was recorded participation was monitored through retrospective qualitative analysis of electronic discussion logs

8. Outcomes: Quantitative Student attendance levels – Compared with other research methods modules – Compared with Level 3 modules in general Assessment trends at group and individual student level Improvements in participation levels

9. ModuleMarkLecture AttendanceSeminar Attendance 313 – Applied Research Methods 536779 208 – Research Methods in Criminology 445067 303 – Young Offenders & Youth Justice 577574 308 – Gender, Crime & Criminal Justice 447083 312 – Critical Criminology 595477 Average for level 3 modules in semester 1 536778

12. Outcomes: Qualitative Staff satisfaction – teaching staff – Greater flexibility – Improved staff-student relationship – easier alignment, – increased student engagement – diversity of delivery methods – practical benefits Staff satisfaction – departmental level Student satisfaction – Informal feedback during seminars – Feedback from staff-student liaison committee