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Ros O’Leary

This project explores innovative practices in higher education through the use of virtual seminars and online tutorials focused on Economic Principles and Philosophical Issues in Modern Biotechnology. It examines the strengths and limitations of these methods, highlighting increased student participation, better contributions, and flexibility, alongside challenges such as limited interactivity and absence of face-to-face dynamics. The findings aim to enhance the learning experiences of students in economics and veterinary science at the University of the West of England, contributing to effective online education strategies.

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Ros O’Leary

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  1. Ros O’Leary Economics LTSN Bristol University Learning Technology Support Service Students Online Learning Experiences Project

  2. VLEs: Innovative Practice in Higher Education

  3. Virtual Seminars in Economic Principles at UWE Online tutorials & assessment in Philosophical Issues in Modern Biotechnology Using PDAs in Economics Vets Virtual Clerking Station Innovative HE case studies

  4. Virtual Seminars in Economics Principles • 220 year 1 students, 1 year, 30 credit course • 2 lectures, 1 seminar per week

  5. Virtual Seminars in Economics Principles • 2 lectures and 1 workshop per week • 1 in-class seminar and 1 virtual seminar per fortnight

  6. Nature of Virtual Seminars • Run in group discussion board • When and where • in seminar groups (same as in-class) • synchronous • but not location specific • Role of tutors • Personal Development Planning • Types of activity

  7. Strengths and Limitations • Strengths • more contribution per student • better thought-out contributions • more equal contribution between students: shy and dominant students • contributions remain visible • potentially time saving for staff

  8. Strengths and Limitations • Limitations • limited interactivity, just posting • no whiteboard • not suitable for graphs and maths • lack of face-to-face dynamic with tutor • students may treat it casually • must address protocols and incentives

  9. Online tutorials and assessment in Philosophical Issues in Modern Biotechnology • 25 students, year 2, open unit, 10 credits • New unit • Philosophy knowledge a prerequisite • Biological knowledge not required

  10. Philosophical Issues in Modern Biotechnology • 10 lectures, 2 overview sessions • 4 online tutorials including self-assessment • E-test two-thirds way through • Essay paper

  11. Nature of online tutorials • Designed to worked through independently • Designed by postgraduate + eLearning specialist • Discussion board for general discussion • Tutorials and online assessment not marked but condition of award

  12. Strengths and Limitations • Strengths • focus on philisophy during face-to-face discussions • supplementary interactive material • biology expert support • Limitations • no structured opportunity to discuss biology (focus on individual learning) • not assessed (linking assessment to VLE)

  13. Vets Virtual Clerking Station • Final year vet students • Whole year spent in clinical placements • Assessed on write-up of clinical cases • Complained about range of clinical cases

  14. Vets Virtual Clerking Station • As part of Vet VLE/Intranet case study upload • Can include video, sound, images

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  16. Strengths and Limitations • Strengths • increase clinical exposure • archive cases and can be used as a database for: • other students • clinical research • Limitations • no structured opportunity to discuss (focus on individual learning)

  17. Using PDAs in Economics • Year 1, Introduction to Microeconomics, 13 students • Blackboard • Weekly lecture and seminar

  18. Using PDAs in Economics • Repurposed material for PDAs • Content +discussion

  19. Strengths and Limitations • Strengths • Could do all the things on a VLE they could do on a PC; more portable and flexible • Could submit questions during lectures, lecturer could review during lecture • Limitations • Had to repurpose content so more readable – even so students preferred PCs • Some technical difficulties transferring Microsoft files

  20. Other HE case studies • http://www.sole.ilrt.org/ • http://www.ltsn.ac.uk/ • http://www.ltsn.ac.uk/genericcentre/ • http://www.economics.ltsn.ac.uk/

  21. VLE events • Colston Research Symposium, 'The Evolution of Learning and Web Technologies: Survival of the Fittest?‘ http://www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk/ • ‘Thinking outside the VLE box: innovative and creative ideas for improving the student experience’ http://www.ltss.bris.ac.uk/

  22. Thankyou Any questions?

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