Collaborative Inquiry in Blended Learning

NTLTC 2013

Jane Dillon

Collaborative Inquiry

Two or more students working together to resolve an issue & develop understanding of

critical aspects of coursework

Blended Learning

is a carefully considered mix of online, technology supported and classroom learning

activities and assessment tasks with compulsory components in each mode

David Sturrock, Flexible Learning Team Leader, NMIT

http://ecampus.nmit.ac.nz/moodle

What drives my inquiry ?

NMIT’s entrepreneurial focus

Graduate attributes Learning & teaching approaches

Blended & fully online course developments

NMIT’s entrepreneurial learning focus

We endorse a new learning paradigm aimed at developing the working capabilities of individuals and organisations, based on the concept of ‘entrepreneurial learning’ – breaking down the divisions between education, practice and work within ‘real world’ learning experiences

NMIT Investment Plan 2013 - 2015

Graduate attributes

Skilful communicators ideas & information

Creative thinkers & problem solvers

Information & digitally literate / numerate

Work effectively with others, valuing diversity

Accepting responsibility

NMIT Investment Plan 2013-2015

Learning & teaching approaches

Active learning

Self – directed learners

Problem based projects

Blended & fully online course developments

NZ Diploma in Business fully online S2, 2013

NMIT Online higher levels student use & interactivity

Collaborative programme offerings

Access & sustainability issues

Inquiry – based Learning : Conceptions and Approaches Exploring and Acquiring Existing Disciplinary Knowledge

Pursing ( information – active) what is the existing answer to my question?

Identifying ( information – responsive) what is the existing answer to this question ?

Student - Led

Staff - Led

Authoring ( discovery – active ) how can I answer my question ?

Producing ( discovery – responsive ) how can I answer this question ?

Participating in Building Disciplinary Knowledge

Centre for Inquiry-based Learning in the Arts and Social Sciences (CILASS)http://www.shef.ac.uk/ibl/cilass

Salmon’s model of teaching & learning online http://www.gillysalmon.com/five-stage-model.html

3 Collaborative Inquiry Case Studies

Activity

What happened ?

Lessons learnt

Case Study 1

Teacher education assessment course – blended

Activity

Write brief for new staff member @ virtual college

NZQA audit pending

What happened ?

Functioning teams of 5 or 6 students

Team work contribution identified for assessment

Students engaged

Lessons learnt

Clear guidance essential to engagement

Options encourage independent learning – team roles suggested

Collaborative activity better later in course

Assessment connection motivates

Case Study 2

Collaborative online facilitation course – fully online

Activity

Self nominated & selected teams chose - discussion topic, goal, facilitator & approach

What happened ?

Lessons Learnt

Highly motivated team helps

Strong peer mentor - team asset !

Case Study 3

NZD541 Fundamentals of Marketing – fully online

Activity

Business case study & analysis of market research opportunities

Warm up exercise before assignment

What happened ?

6 of 27 students engaged

1 student identified ‘elephant in room’

Participating students received A or A+ for subsequent assignment

Lessons Learnt

Less constrained discussion online

Collaborative activity can enhance understanding

Scaffolding important – three tutorial forums preceded activity

Useful Links

Ako Aotearoa

http://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/project/inquiry-based-learning/resources/pages/general-inquiry-based-learning-websites

 

ATC21S Project Assessment & Teaching of 21st Century Skills

HQ Melbourne University sponsors Cisco; Intel; Microsoft;

http://atc21s.org/index.php/about/what-are-21st-century-skills/

 

University of Sheffield

http://www.shef.ac.uk/ibl/cilass

Future activity

Further explore what makes collaborative inquiry successful

Co - design courses to develop effective collaborative inquiry activities (on going)

Develop an online tutor guide to collaborative inquiry approaches

(2014)

Contact details

jane.dillon@nmit.ac.nz

http://janedillonblog.wordpress.com/