The document outlines a workshop on Viewpoints, a curriculum design project that provides reflective tools to promote effective curriculum design. The workshop includes an introduction to Viewpoints, group tasks using Viewpoints cards on different themes, and a discussion of experiences using the tools. Participants provide positive feedback, noting it was thought-provoking, useful for considering new ideas, and helped facilitate discussion and collaboration within course teams.

1. Viewpoints workshop Catherine O’Donnell 8 th February 2012

2. Session Outline An Introduction to Viewpoints. Group work tasks. Questions, conclusions and close.

3. A short video introduction on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux0Bv7fRrQI An Introduction to Viewpoints Viewpoints is a JISC funded curriculum design project. It has a remit to create a series of reflective tools to promote & enhance effective curriculum design. The tools use a learner timeline with established pedagogical principles and ideas as prompts to help staff consider areas of their curriculum while considering the learner perspective .

4. Inform, inspire and plan. There are benefits for Curriculum development. Course teams. Students. 2 views Course and module. 4 themes Assessment and feedback, Information skills, Learner engagement and Creativity and innovation. Viewpoints 3 Part Framework

5. Course Level Perspective Supports those who wish to look at Course View.

6. Module Level Perspective Supports those who wish to look at Module View.

7. Assessment and Feedback Theme REAP ( http://www.reap.ac.uk/ ) Clarify good performance. Encourage time and effort on task. Deliver high quality feedback. Provide opportunities to act on feedback. Encourage interaction and dialogue. Develop self-assessment and reflection. Give assessment choice. Encourage positive motivational beliefs. Inform and shape your teaching. *Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards.

8. Learner Engagement Theme The principles of learner engagement are based upon the 8 Learning Events Model developed by LabSET, University of Liège, Belgium . Receive. Create. Debate. Explore. Imitate. Experiment. Practice. Meta-Learn. *Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards. http://www.flickr.com/photos/viewpointsproject/

9. Information Skills Theme SCONUL 7 Pillars ( http://www.sconul.ac.uk ) Define the task and understand the topic. Identify appropriate resources. Search effectively. Find and extract information. Compare and analyse information. Organise and share information ethically. Interpret information and create new content. *Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards.

10. Creativity and Innovation Theme CHEP creativity working group ( http://www.ulster.ac.uk/centrehep/creativity_curriculum.html ) Collaborative learning. ‘ Open-box’ modules. Negotiation. ‘ Real-life’ learning situations. Novel approaches to learning. Assessment that focuses on process. Use of debates. Beyond the discipline. Enquiry-based learning. *Implementation ideas for each principle on back of card have still to be added.

11. Viewpoints Workshop

12. Task 1: Objectives (5 minutes) Agree challenge, record objective(s) and decide theme to consider.

13. Task 2 – Select principles (5 minutes) Choose principles you think might help you address your objective(s).

14. Task 3 – Map principles to student learning timeline (10 minutes) Place selected cards on the learning timeline considering the student perspective .

15. Task 4 – Select implementation ideas and tailor a solution (30 minutes) Turn over the card(s) and select ideas. Note where you could your add own ideas or comments in order to tailor the examples & record action points/reflections.

16. Brief sharing of experiences and evaluation findings.

17. Sample finished worksheets

18. Shared meanings and priorities

19. Interactive and engaging

20. Facilitated discussions

21. Informative and supporting

22. Building effective teams In a short period of time through: Informal environment Establishing shared meanings and priorities Facilitating discussions and the sharing of ideas Consensus building Collaborative development of the workshop output

23. www.wordle.net

24. Some Quotes “ Thought provoking.” “ Good to see the plan in front of you.” “ Short sessions exploring ideas - very useful.” “ Enjoyed it – not too time-consuming and time used very well.” “ Good material supplied to encourage wider consideration.” "Got the team to brainstorm about the way forward in relation to creativity.” “ Better face to face interaction with course team.”

25. “ Easy tool – visually descriptive, illustrative” “… Resources excellent prompts” “ Suggestion cards act as a good prompt” “ Cards aided formulation of ideas” “ Accessible and easy to use. Comprehensive and guiding.” “ Look at the holistic approach.” “Group participation/engagement on ideas” “ Being given the time to reflect.” “ Useful prompts and discussion.” Some Quotes

26. Conclusions, questions and close By now you should: Be aware of the Viewpoints project. Have seen some assessment and feedback resources and also examples of staff using Viewpoints resources and prompts. Any Questions?

27. Further information Viewpoints project blog: http://viewpoints.ulster.ac.uk Viewpoints resources site: http://viewpoints.ulster.ac.uk/resources Dr Alan Masson, Project Director - [email_address] Catherine O’Donnell, Academic E-Learning Consultant - [email_address] Dr Vilinda Ross, Research Fellow - [email_address]