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MASHABLE: MA Skills in History through Blended Learning. Matthew McCormack Natalie Hanley-Smith. 1) Rationale. Blended learning Large undergrad / small postgrad cohorts? MA History Relaunched in 2013 Transformative course redesign ( Sharpe, 2006).
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MASHABLE:MA Skills in History through Blended Learning Matthew McCormack Natalie Hanley-Smith
1) Rationale Blended learning • Large undergrad / small postgrad cohorts? MA History • Relaunched in 2013 • Transformative course redesign (Sharpe, 2006)
‘History’ skills (HEA, 2007): • Ability to read, analyse and reflect critically • Appreciation of the complexity of reconstructing the past • Ability to gather and deploy evidence • Awareness of continuity and change over time • Clarity, fluency and coherence of expression • Ability to work collaboratively and participate in group discussion
2) Methodology Student researcher • Online questionnaire • Focus group • Involve students in design of HISM041 ‘History Research Methods’
3) Results Online questionnaire: • Convenience • Advantages of class/online • Of all the online tasks, preferred ‘research’ exercise • ‘Personally it fits in with my lifestyle and the fact that I live at a distance from the university. I also find that it paces the learning at a level I enjoy.’ • ‘You have time to think and reflect. Because you are typing your response you have to think more carefully about what you are saying and perhaps give a more considered response.’ • ‘The quality of the information on EEBO and ECCO was easy to access and I found that researching a topic was interesting and informative.’
3) Results Focus group: • Structure not explained • Uncertainty about online etiquette • Tutors have different styles Design of HISM041: • Not very opinionated! ‘It wasn't fully described to me, so I didn't quite know what to expect, we just followed the path that was set for us.’ ‘I think there is a barrier to placing comments on other people's ideas. The tendency is to follow the lecturer rather than members of your peer group.’
4) Conclusion: MASHABLE framework Classroom Induction Online
References Campbell, Victoria J & Kimball, Raymond A., 2010. The blended history classroom: keeping the student central. Teaching History: A Journal of Methods, 35(2), pp. 79-91. Dawson, J. et al, 2007. Using weblogs to encourage reflective learning in History and Classics. Available at: <http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/history/cs_dawson_weblogs_200707> [Accessed 20 January 2014]. Finkelstein, David, 2002. Utilising Online Learning in a Humanities Context. Available at: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/resource_database/casestudies/cs_128 [Accessed 13 February 2014]. Garrison, D. & Kanuka, H., 2004. Blended learning: uncovering its transformative potential in Higher Education. Internet and Higher Education, 7, pp. 95-105. Gulc, Eddie, 2006. Using blended learning to accommodate different learning styles. Link 17, pp. 17-20. Holden, Karen & Poole, Steve, 2010. Exploring staff and student engagement with discussion boards in the postgraduate History curriculum at UWE. Available at: <http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/history/tlc10_holdenpoole_discussionboards_20100511_pptx> [Accessed 1 May 2013]. McGee, Patricia & Reis, Abby, 2012. Blended course design: a synthesis of best practices. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 16(4), pp. 7-22. Navickas, Katrina, 2010. Case study: using a VLE discussion board with final-year undergraduates. Available at: <http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/subjects/history/cs_navickas_vle> [Accessed 19 May 2014]. Osguthorpe, Russell & Graham, Charles, 2003. Blended learning environments: definitions and directions. Quarterly Review of Distance Education 4(3), pp. 227-33. Quality Assurance Agency, 2007. History. Available at: <http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-statement-History.aspx> [Accessed 20 January 2014]. Sharpe, Richard et al, 2006. The undergraduate experience of blended e-learning: a review of UK literature and practice. Available at: < http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/resources/detail/teachingandresearch/Undergraduate_Experience> [Accessed 1 May 2013].