'Planning for success in blended learning.' (National Education Conference, 28 May 2009)

Planning for success in blended learning Dr Janet Macdonald & Dr Lore Gallastegi OU in Scotland GTC Education Conference, Stirling, May 2009

Agenda
Blended learning: what does it mean?
Examples of blended learning at the OU
Courses and resources for teaching staff
Young Applicants in Schools

About blended learning
What does it mean to you?
Why would you go blended?
What might influence the blend?

Course objectives Purpose of interaction F to F + online Which tool? Student needs Environment

Thinking about purpose
Your intention:
meeting the group
keeping in touch
allowing flexible study
explaining difficult concepts
maintaining motivation
issuing timely reminders?

Flexibility
“ Our cohort has become increasingly diverse, with many students having to juggle work and family commitments alongside study...”
(Griffeth Univ, Australia)

Building confidence
“… [for students] at entry
level, a mix of contacts,
but face to face, or voice
to voice has the most
compelling effect in group
cohesion and motivation.”
(Arts tutor)

Dialogue
“ I had one telephone contact
concerning a late assignment
submission. When I quizzed
her about what she had
already done, I realised that
she was on the wrong track…”
(Social Science tutor)

Time for reflection
“ It’s nice to have time to
compose a meaningful
message rather than
responding [without time to
think] – as at face to face or
on the phone.”
(Social Sciences tutor)

The Open University 1969-2009
Flexible part-time study
Largest University in the UK
Choice of 360 degrees
200,000 students
Over 2 million have studied with OU
A quarter of UK’s HE part-time population are OU students

Supported open learning
Course materials
- texts and course books, CD-Rom, DVD
Structured calendar (with deadlines!)
Regular assignments
Course website
StudentHome

Student Home

Library resources
14,000 electronic journal titles
7,500 e-books
255 databases
93 courses integrating e-resources

OU tutors/study advisors
Pastoral care: the realities of part time study
Academic support: facilitating understanding of course material
Formative feedback on assignments
Supporting interaction
Appropriate use technologies

Collaborative tools Forums Blogs Wikis IM E assessment E portfolio Library resources RSS Calendars, tracking The largest Moodle VLE user in the world Video conf

Courses and resources for teaching staff

Open Learn www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/get-started/get-started-educator

Open Learn www.open.ac.uk/openlearn

Teach and Learn www.teachandlearn.net

www.open.ac.uk/cpd

Young Applicants in Schools

Young Applicants in Schools www.open.ac.uk/yass-in-scotland

YASS – What is it?
A quality, genuine HE experience
A partnership between the OU and schools
A wide range of courses at first year university level
For students in S6
An opportunity to stretch able and motivated students
Study alongside school curriculum

Modules on Offer
Over 50 courses: arts, business studies, science, health and social care, law, maths, computing, social science, technology and engineering, and so on
10, 15, 30 or 60 points at SCQF Level 7
Multiple start dates
From 10 weeks to 9 months
Short courses most popular (70%) especially Science (55%)

Benefits for students
Excellent learning experience:
complements other subject choices
supports a hobby or special interest
helps with career choices
Broadens their academic profile
Develops HE study skills, online study skills
Demonstration of academic potential
Builds confidence and self esteem
Helps with the transition from school to university or college

YASS support network OU Scotland YASS Co-ordinator and Educational Adviser School Coordinator Student Parents OU Tutor/Study Adviser

Science Courses
Series of short courses (10 points) – including astronomy, Darwin and evolution, fossils, forensic science, archaeology, human genetics, molecules, medicines and drugs, and nutrition
Four presentations a year
Telephone support with study advisers
Choice of 2 alternative end of course assessment dates, last 8-20 weeks

Blended learning..
Allows flexibility to accommodate part-time study in or out of the classroom
Can be responsive to student needs and a variety of purposes in intervention

Learning Development Team
OU in Scotland
www.open.ac.uk/scotland
http://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/learndevdist/

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'Planning for success in blended learning.' (National Education Conference, 28 May 2009)

by GTC Scotland on May 29, 2009

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’Planning for success in blended learning.’ (National Education Conference, 28 May 2009) — Presentation Transcript