Monday, December 5, 2011

An integrated faculty model for engaging staff with online and blended learning

A spiral staircase inside one of the Vatican M...Image via Wikipedia
A quick context overview was given of the project and the reasons why they model was developed. The presenters are working at a small multidisplinery institution. They decided to go with a holistic model with four key facets: 1) Inform; 2) Engage; 3) Implement: Collaborative development of online units; 4) Support: community of practice for ongoing engagement.

In 2010 the Dean and Deputy Dean undertook a study tour of the UK & Western Europe. This led to a spark for development. One of the first things that happended was an upgrade in the LMS (summer 2010-11), and then two workshops were developed. Learning design teams were then formed to develop / redevelop online units based on Gilly Salmon Carpe Diem model. Teams can comprise discipline groups, learning designer, suject librarian, technology expert and others as required. The fourth phase involved plans to facilitate formation of CoPs around specific topics. Examples might include teaching large online cohorts, online assessment, and improving student engagement. As yet phase 4 has not been implemented.

Results so far: staff participation at scholars' sessions has been very high - 62% for Gilly Salmon, anmd 60% for David Nicol. In staget 2 the workshop programme 68% attended with a high uptake by sessional staff. Stage 3 (collaborative design was well recieved by participating stqaff, who enjoyed brainstoring their ideas, mapping out their unit, revising objectives, assessment etc. It is yest to be seen how much of the design is ultimately implemented. There are also quesitons around how success is going to be determing (ie one new activity?), or a fully implemented new design?

They have found that the sessions are really intensive and people are totally exhausted (but happy) by the end of the day. Factors for success was seen because it includes:
  • Faculty-wide model; and
  • Has high level support from faculty management



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