Embedding e-learning – investigating the student experience of using technology to support learning

Amanda Jefferies

Blended Learning Unit Evaluation Coordinator,

University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire

• Progressive 21st century university

• Student expectation– Easy access,

anytime, everywhere– Use of ICT

• Existing university wide MLE (StudyNet)

• Full exploitation of the e-environment

“Supporting the Net Generation Learner” MySpace

Youtube

MSN

Gadgets

Our Learners

Embedding e-learning technologies

• An holistic Blended Learning approach at Hertfordshire– Supporting staff in embedding e-learning in

their teaching– Supporting students with an emphasis on

blended learning– Examples in use– How we investigated the student experience– What the students think

Blended Learning – University of Hertfordshire’s definition:

“Educational provision where high quality e-learning opportunities and excellent campus based learning are combined or blended in coherent, reflective and innovative ways so that learning is enhanced and choice is increased”

Blended Learning: “Harnessing technology to enhance Learning, Teaching and Assessment”.

• Better use of F2F• Greater flexibility• New ways to

communicate• New ways to

collaborate• Improved

feedback

Laptops and tablet PCs for staff

Technology in the classroom

Developing innovative practice

StudyNet – the Managed Learning Environment

4000 course modules 25,000 personal portals7 million logins a year

Learning & teachingInformation sourcesCommunicationGraduate skillsDisability support

Stimulus for innovation

Increasing student engagement with EVS

Virtual Classroom Technology

Example: First year BEd Students

Staff said:

“How do I get students to study outside class”

“What are they doing in independent study time?”

“Why do they rely on me?”

Introduce Blogs for students and staff

Ongoing out of class blogging – 132 students – Reflective practice– Visible to students and staff– Modelling appropriate behaviours– Deeper learning

Outcome for Education

• Students more prepared for face-to-face sessions

• Students using StudyNet more effectively

• Better quality assignments

• More questioning students

Example:2nd year Combined Studies Computing

Staff said:

“How can my students do group work outside the University?”

“How do I encourage students to produce learning resources?”

Introduce the use of Wiki to support group work

Extend face-to-face group work sessions – 90 students

– Private and public group areas

– Accessible 24/7

– Student generated content for cohort and own group

Wiki Usage over 4 weeks19

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1216

219 310 54

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996

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1084 13

18

1724

2063

738 86

9

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1210

1291

2151

1027

380

849

1572

1440 15

84

3539

1646

720

1351

1042

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Th FrSa Su

Mo Tu

We Th Fr

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Using student centred methods to investigate learning experiences

• The video diaries project– 7 days in the life of a student

• The STROLL project– JISC funded research into the learners’

journeys

Objectives of the video diaries 7 days project

To allow students to provide feedback using a medium where they could be ‘themselves’

To explore what students really think about their learning experience, in their own words

To give staff at the university a detailed insight into students’ views and behaviours

To provide powerful data that would support research already conducted with students at the university

Finding out about students’ learning experiences…

• 7 days in February 2007 • 13 students - video-diaries and audio logs

• 7 coloured envelopes• Text message sent everyday

• Students recorded their personal reflections and how they used technologies to support their learning

• Students commented on the use by academics of the e-learning environment and how changes to pedagogy might promote the student learning experience.

Analysis of data• Watched videos and transcribed relevant

comments• Themes were identified by the team

according to students’ comments• Themes from 2007 case study:

• Learning enhancement by lecturers• StudyNet and university resources available• Communication methods used by lecturers• Study behaviours outside of class time

Some Results…• Students find lecturers’ support outside of class

time very valuable• StudyNet features including discussion forum

and podcasts provided immense support for students’ learning

• Students spend a lot of time outside the classroom online

• Most students reported their use of social networks such as Facebook or MySpace

• Students indicate a balance of lifestyle but will often choose to study outside a Monday -Friday 9-5 window and at weekends

The STROLL project(STudent Reflections on Lifelong e-Learning)

• 2 years March 2007 to February 2009 funded by JISC• Video and audio reflections of the students’ ‘learners’

journeys’• 36 + students involved from FE and HE and across u/g

programmes• Recording a week’s reflections on 4 occasions at 6

monthly intervals• Four key research areas

– How do learners experience change through their learning journey?

– How do students use and make choices about their time?– How do students use e-learning tools to support their learning?– How do students use their personal technologies?

Early findings from STROLL

I am an addict to face

book… I am always on

social networks

because I think they

are absolutely

amazing,

Technology is a big part of my life, both in working and playing the first thing I do in the morning is to switch on my TV and my computer because I have to check my e-mails

Pod cast continues to be a great inspiration to the way I learn, I find it so helpful to

listen to again and again

I feel Study Net is a great inspiration in the learning

process. At college if I missed a class I would very rarely get the opportunity to catch up on what I

had missed

Reflection on embedding e-learning

Think of a specific programme or module you teach on– What aspects of e-learning are currently used

to support the students?– How do you know what the students think?– What might be used to promote a blended

approach in the future?

Discuss in 2s and 3s

Thank you for listening

For more information– The Blended Learning Unit

www.herts.ac.uk/blu– The STROLL project

http://www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning_pedagogy/elp_lxpstroll.aspx

– Amanda Jefferies

a.l.jefferies@herts.ac.uk