The use of the WWW as a medium for conducting student projects and the personal assignment

1. The use of the WWW as a medium for conducting student projects and the personal assignment Ian Grigor

2. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of on-line learning in information management via group projects

3. Objectives • To describe the Virtual Science Park • To demonstrate its use in the Information Management module • To analyse the reasons for adopting an on-line project • To evaluate student and lecturer perceptions of this approach

4. Why do we include the project? • Information management pervades all walks of life, especially work and study • Many students don’t realise how much resource can be saved by managing information efficiently and effectively, particularly time • It applies theory to practice

5. Why adopt an on-line project? • Students have already become comfortable using discussion rooms • Information management is largely dependent on electronic media • Communication, especially in research, may be at a distance • Individual input can be audited • Asynchronous approach

6. Lecturer’sperception’s of this approach • Education must be applicable to practice • Value-added aspects of the module; team working, general IT literacy • Validity of assessment exercise • Authenticity “guaranteed”

7. What do past students think of the module? Questionnaire sent to 22 students that had studied on the module 10 responses received Response rate = 45 %

8. Did you find the project introduced study problems? Yes! – 6 No! – 4 • Lack of IT skills • Access to the WWW from home • Motivation of group members

9. How did you overcome these problems? • Sought academic supervision • Used the University clusters • Convened group meetings by telephone or in person

10. Do you consider you learnt any new skills? Yes! – 9 No! – 1 • Confidence in surfing the WWW and general IT skills • Finding ways round problems

11. Did you receive sufficient support from your lecturer? Yes! – 8 No! – 1 “I did think so at the time but now I’ve changed my mind!” – 1

12. Have you used these skills in practice? Yes! - 10

13. How have these skills had a positive impact in practice? • Accessing information via computer to inform practice • Invited to join local IM group • Accessing electronic records • New world of communication • I am the local IT guru • Not at all!

14. Do you consider that the on-line project was of value? • Yes! – 8 • “Very much so!” • “I wish such a set-up was available for all our projects!” • “I’m sorry it didn’t last a year instead of just one semester!” • “Awesome!”

15. Do you consider that the on-line project was of value? • No! – 2 • “Not when I am penalised for others’ lack of commitment!” • “Not as a group but I may have benefited from an individual on-line project!”

16. Lateral thinking and the “big picture” • Fits with requirements of Dept of Health – NHS Information Authority • Changes in skills and attitudes • Empowering and preparative for lifelong learning • Transferable skills – IT and working in teams

17. Objectives • To describe the VSP • To demonstrate its use in the Information Management module • To analyse the reasons for adopting an on-line project • To evaluate student perceptions of this approach