Faculty time constraints when using a Web-based course management environment

1. Faculty time constraints when using a Web-based course management environment Gerard J. Gervedink Nijhuis MSc. gervedink@edte.utwente.nl University of Twente Faculty of Educational Science and Technology

2. Overview • TeleTOP,a Web-based course management system • teaching-related activities by instructors • 3 methods to analyse time usage • conclusions • discussion BITE 2001

3. TeleTOP environment BITE 2001

4. Roster sub-item BITE 2001

5. Instructor activities • Direct interaction (lecture, practice, meeting) • Teaching-related activities (planning, preparing) • Teaching-related activities using TeleTOP • prepare a course (info, roster, content) • add attachments (articles, URL’s) • add news, slides, feedback, marks • use e-mail, discussion • …..and more BITE 2001

6. Analysis • Observing and video: too much burden • Activities: interviews and questionnaire • time measuring: log file analysis • time estimates: TeleTOP analysis BITE 2001

7. Interviews /questionnaire • 6 interviews (5 TO, 1 EL) • cardsorting to analyse activities • results vary • type of course • organization of work • in- or out-of-class • time available BITE 2001

8. Preparing a course Handling resources Sessions support Feedback Administration Assignments Examinations Session / lecture Group communication Personal communication Communication with colleagues Categories of activities BITE 2001

9. Questionnaire • 18 instructors (13 TO, 5 EL) • focus on workload and time usage • most recent course BITE 2001

10. Average time usage BITE 2001

11. Log file analysis • Interface activities are stored • logfiles and registrations of 3 instructors • filters needed (too much data, interpretation) • easy; automatic report possible, but: • interrupts during an activity (filter?) • logfile and registration differ • subjective time BITE 2001

12. Interrupts • Go to an appointment • A colleague drops in • Technical problems • Performing other tasks • A coffee break BITE 2001

13. TeleTOP database analysis • 51 Course environments • Academic year 2000-1 • counting instructors’ contributions:entries, items, text, attachments, URL’s • goal: Estimate time expenditure • based on assumptions about an “average” instructor (time to type, submit att.) BITE 2001

14. Estimated average time BITE 2001

15. Average time for a course BITE 2001

16. Conclusions • Based on small # of courses, one faculty • differing courses (practical, theoretical, interactive) • Great difference in time expenditure among courses • individual differences / preferences • time estimates can be improve BITE 2001

17. Future • Re-use of material will decrease time • Logfile analysis for accurate time assumptions of individual instructor • Automatic database analysis • Goal: • Better planning and time usage • “Academics in Control of their time” BITE 2001

18. Contact • Gerard J. Gervedink Nijhuisgervedink@edte.utwente.nl • University of TwenteFaculty of Educational Science and TechnologyDepartment of Instrumentation TechnologyP.O. Box 2177500 AE EnschedeThe Netherlands BITE 2001

19. BITE 2001