Joint Information Systems Committee 02/11/09 | | Slide 12

MethodsHow can we understand learners better?

Greg Benfield, Oxford Brookes University

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 13

How have we investigated e-learners?

Background survey of existing research Sharpe et al 2006– ‘Scarcity of studies on learner experience, often about very specific

and narrow aspects of learning (e.g. CMC), often discussing observable behaviours rather than intentions, beliefs, feelings’

Phase 1: two large-scale studies Creanor et al 2006, Conole et al 2006

Phase 2: seven focused studies to investigate specific issues plus support and synthesis (ongoing)

BLUPS | e4L | Lead | LexDis

PB-LXP | STROLL | Thema

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 14

What were our questions?

1. How do specific groups of students experience learning with technology?

2. What is the experience of highly skilled online communicators and networkers? How can learners' existing skills be developed and exploited more effectively?

3. How do learners' experiences change through their learning journey, particularly at points of transition such as induction?

4. What are the critical choices that learners make about when, where and how to study? How do these influence their experience of e-learning?

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 15

5. How do learners make use of technology for learning in ways that are not expected or supported by their institution?

6. How are learners personalising and adapting their learning tools and environments?

7. How do students conceive of the role of technology in their learning? Is there a relationship between students' conceptions of learning with technology and their success?

8. What, if any, is the impact of institutional strategies and course level practices - such as widening participation, developing skills for global citizenship, accessibility, designing for difference - on the learner experience

What were our questions?

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 16

What methods did we use (and develop)?

Interview (plus), card sort and other elicitation techniques

Logs and diaries (video, audio)

‘Penpals’, learners-as-researchers

Focus groups

Case studies, ‘day in the life’

Learner profiles

Surveys (institutional cohorts)

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 17

Methodological issues

Elicitation

Ethical issues

Participatory research

Recruitment and retention

Using available technologies to collect data

Learners’ Experiences of e-Learning Workshops: November 2008 – March 2009 slide 20

Using these ideas in practice

Researchers’ forum (ELESIG)

Web resources on methods

Learner-centred evaluation toolkit

Methods ‘recipe cards’ (two more in your pack!)

Listening to learners: check-list on embedding learners’ perspectives into institutional and personal practice

research

reflectivepractice