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Environmental Geography - Virtual Minor Course at University of Applied Science

This virtual minor course in Environmental Geography at University of Applied Science combines computer work (GIS) with field work, providing flexibility for students to study anytime and anywhere. Lessons are recorded and all coursework materials are available online. The course includes assignments, study materials, and virtual meetings twice a week.

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Environmental Geography - Virtual Minor Course at University of Applied Science

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  1. University of Applied Science Minor Environmental Geography Nathan Bowden Na.bowden@avans.nl

  2. Meet the lecturers

  3. Minor EnvironmentalGeography • Builds on previouscourseworkfrom: Ecology, EnvironmentalGeography, GIS, Biodiversity, EnvironmentalScienceand Water Management • Combination of Computer work (GIS) and field work

  4. Virtual Minor • Guided computer learning • (virtual) meetings 2 times a week • Allcourseworkmaterials are online... • BUT computer rooms, meeting rooms andlaboratorieswillbereservedforyou!

  5. Advantages for students • Flexibility • Lessons are recorded and online • Assignments and study material all online • Study anytime and anywhere (but still need to meet deadlines) • Less travel – Students from outside Breda (KoM) • Ability for international students to stay at home • Financially attractive • Local Jobs

  6. Minor Course and Project Schedule per week

  7. Project Deliverables • Assignments on Blackboard • Courses – 4 to 6 assignments per course. No exams. • Project – 2 assignments in the first two weeks • Theory Report – due at the end of week 2 • Advice Report – due in week 5 • Blog – Weekly updates andfinal report • Nl: https://mysteryofsand.wordpress.com/ • Sp: https://emilio01blog.wordpress.com/ • Student Presentations – Big blue button

  8. Student population • Number of students total: 17 • Student source: 4 KoM, 9 ATGM, 4 Science without borders • ATGM Students who were abroad during the minor: • Budapest, Hungary – 2 • N. Spain – 1 • Romania – 1 • Project groups were mixed: • All groups had at least 1 student abroad • All groups had at least one KoM student • For one project 1 student abroad had individual project

  9. Virtual Lessons – Big Blue Button (BBB) • Scheduled in a computer classroom • About half in attendance physically • About half in attendance virtually • Presentation given on BBB • Recorded with Snagit (Screen capture software) • Uploaded to Youtube • Imbedded in Blackboard for student review

  10. Project Meetings • Google Hang-out enhanced • Facebook as project groupwork area

  11. Project Workshops – Computer Workshops • Workshops are scheduled in computer locations • Blackboard • Assignment • Materials (software, instructions) • Youtube • Instructional Videos • Presentations • Big Blue Button • Live instruction for student guidance • Not recorded

  12. Project Workshops – Video Presentation/BBB with Client • Big blue button presentation • The same as a “normal” BBB presentation • Is also recorded and put up on youtube/Blackboard • Clients in the minor • Water Board Brabant Delta • Nature Monuments • Wageningen UR – Biobased Chemistry and Technology

  13. Self Evaluation Attendance: Pro: Class attendance was almost always 100% Con: Were they attentive? Tip: In class assignments (before the break give a question and after the break get a response) Communication Pro: Flexibility! Con: Technology dependent (and sometimes things go wrong) Tip: Students (abroad especially) need to have the right equipment. Everyone needs to have basic accounts (Facebook, Google+, Avans account) Virtual Interactions Pro: Students are technology fluent...everything went amazingly well (above expectations) Con: Set-up time is longer. More support needed. Sometimes technology fails! Hangouts with only one virtual student were physically awkward.

  14. Student evaluations • Students were very content • Average of 8.8 • Only one score below an 8 (it was a 7.5) • Feedback • Questions: What do you think goes well during this online class? • “That it is online” • “Nathan’s voice is clear and I can understand him well” • “The presentation is easy to follow and he answers most of the questions that people ask in the chat” • “He is open-minded and uses a lot of humor, which is fine and makes it interactive (the chat also is very handy” • Question: Any points of improvement? • “No don’t think so • “He sometimes used the webam but I actually clicked that away onces because it was distracting me • “yeah me too...any way we should only look at the presentation I guess”

  15. Questions and Big Blue Button demo

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