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Lessons from an e-teaching experience. Dr Marion Watson. P46650 Distance Learning Module. Planning and Managing Clinical Trials Previously taught face to face Updated and rewritten for distance learning for April 2007 Running non-semester. P46650 Distance Learning Module.
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School of Health and Social Care Lessons from an e-teaching experience Dr Marion Watson
P46650 Distance Learning Module • Planning and Managing Clinical Trials • Previously taught face to face • Updated and rewritten for distance learning for April 2007 • Running non-semester Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
P46650 Distance Learning Module • Student experience • Workbook • Module handbook • 10 units • CE6 with general information and 10 unit sections supporting the workbook • E-tivities • 2 short marked essays submitted via CE6 (70%) • On-line MCQ/short answer exam (30%) Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
P46650 Distance Learning Module • E-tivities = Electronic Activities • 7 throughout the module (must do 4 or 5) • Maximum of 1 per unit • No e-tivities on weeks with marked essays • All produced on CE6 or submitted via CE6 • Help students keep to timetable Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
P46650 Distance Learning Module • E-tivities = Electronic Activities • Progressive complexity and individuality • Student homepage and virtual café • Short text submissions (200-400 words) • Open to all via discussion board • Closed, teaching staff only, via assignment dropbox • On-line group discussions (3-6 people per group) • Quizzes (Respondus) Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – CE6 layout • Keep it simple • Keep it obvious • Headings and titles • Avoid multiple routes to the same place • Two to three clicks to anywhere • Make sure things are in the right place Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Student help • Include a Hints and Tips section • Use links to other sources of help including SHSC Intranet, Learning Technologists’ blog • Develop an FAQ section under Hints and Tips and keep adding to it • Glossary Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Discussion board • Structure • Set up threads from the beginning • Include a general discussion thread • Messages from the tutors worked well • Virtual café or similar for non-course related chat • Set rules • What goes on the discussion board (most queries and comments) • When to e-mail you (personal e.g. extensions) • Be strict! Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Discussion board • Tell students when you will be checking the discussion board • Remind them of your availability for the times just before or after an assignment deadline • Don’t be too available • Avoids unreasonable student expectations • Reduces work, students answer each other’s queries Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Communication • Avoid agreeing to copy messages to multiple e-mail addresses • Written comments come back to bite you (and them) • Remove anything offensive or anything personal (reply by e-mail) or anything that gives too much away to others on assignments Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Student expectations • Some students quick to complain especially if they never meet or talk to you • Instant responses • Automatic marking • Accuracy • Text • Working links • Consistent information Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Lessons learned – Student expectations • Personal feedback to all work and discussion queries • Not realistic • Give generic feedback where-ever possible or the workload on e-tivities would become horrendous; accept you will get comments ‘you left mine out…’ • Despite feedback within quizzes and directions to judge their answers themselves many expect individual marking Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
Marked assignments • The lack of classroom discussion and question/answer sessions is a problem. • Providing guidance online is never clear to all students and misinterpretation is common. • Asking to see an essay plan picks up the worst problems • Referencing guide is an essential tool – keep referring to it as an answer to queries where possible. Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer
On-line Exams • Nerve wracking! • P46650 exam has a 40 question MCQ/short answer • Students and staff experienced with the system through formative quizzes • Contingency – e-mail and fax versions (not needed so far!) Dr Marion Watson, Senior Lecturer