Presentation from ALT conference 2014, Birmingham

1. A surfing safari
from Ireland to
Africa
A first dip in the elearning ocean

2. Lisa
Donaldson,
DCU
COSYST-MNCH Project
M.Sc. component Play

3. Project Background

4. Multiple
Needs
Differing
Capacities
Emerging
Strategies
Multiple Partner Needs
Building inhouse expertise for Irish and African
partners
A showcase for elearning innovation for Irish
partners
Potential new programme for University of
Malawi
Upskilling of students from NGO and
Government
Collaboration opportunity for all
Project Complexities

5. Multiple
Needs
Differing
Capacities
Emerging
Strategies
Capacities
Differing technical
infrastructure
including Moodle and
Internet capabilities
Differing
technical
expertise

6. Multiple
Needs
Differing
Capacities
Emerging
Strategies
Strategies
“To develop and support a digitally-rich
teaching and learning ecosystem to extend
and enhance the effectiveness and
reputation of the RCSI teaching and
learning community.”
“To design, implement and evaluate
transformative models of teaching and
learning by providing strategic leadership,
enabling and contributing to world-class
research, and promoting academic and
operational excellence.”
…New and still changing

7. Where did we start?
Our own simple strategy!
Design a simple and
streamlined process
For technology to
add value to the
learning
experience as well
as support new
modes of learning
and teaching
to develop
pedagogically
appropriate course
content - across
institutions and
specialities Improve the
technical
competencies of
lecturers and
students whilst
avoiding technical
anxiety
Enable the
redefinition of
activities through
the use of
technology to
create innovative
and effective
learning
experiences.

8. Next steps…
Logo
Technology
Choices
Website

9. What would you choose?
Vote now at http://alt.participoll.com
A. Adobe Captivate
B. Articulate Storyline
C. Articulate Studio
D. Camtasia
E. Moodle Based
F. Open and Social –
Wiki/Wordpress/Facebook
0 A B C D E F

10. Synchronous? Asynchronous?
Given the technical infrastructure in
Africa, would you plan for a synchronous
classroom?

11. Dive in and Vote now at
http://alt.participoll.com
A.Synchronous
B.Asynchronous
0 A B

12. Building a class community
Valuable real world exercises
and activities
Many Web 2.0 tools
could help

13. How to decide from the
ocean of possibilities,
what tools could support
the learning experiences
of our M.Sc. Students?

14. What would you choose?
Vote now at http://alt.participoll.com
A. Facebook
B. Twitter
C. Blogging – Wordpress or other
D. Wikis
E. Google Hangout
F. Voicethread
0 A B C D E F

15. Compare your technical
choices with the path
chosen

16. • Faculty and student
familiarity
• Institution precedent
• Relative ease of use
• Tight timelines
• Tools work in harmony
Rationale for Technology Choices

17. • Faculty familiar with
Powerpoint & Moodle
• Technically confident
students
Faculty and student familiarity
BACK

18. • Differing versions of
Moodle used in 2/3
institutions
• Articulate Studio 09 used
in 2/3 institutions
Institution Precedent
BACK

19. Relative ease of use
BACK

20. Project Start Aug 2013
First Module live March
2013
Tight timelines
BACK

21. • Moodle, Articulate &
other Web 2.0 tools
inter-relate
Tools work in harmony
BACK

22. What would you say was
the No. 1 challenge with
developing and delivering
the M.Sc.?
A. Skillsets
B. Development Software
C. Internet
D. Time
E. Student Engagement
0 A B C D E
Vote now at http://alt.participoll.com

23. All of the below…
Internet Time Technology

24. Enthusiasm
Plan B
Student
Support
What we did well
Enthusiasm
Had a Plan B
Comprehensive student support
Provided practical technical training
Technical
Training

25. Enthusiasm
Plan B
Student
Support
Enthusiasm
Technical
Training
With the right attitude, the
traditional obstacles of a lack
of time, lack of resources and
lack of skills, can often be
conquered
Technology “take-up depends largely on
teachers’ personal feelings, skills and
attitudes to IT in general“
(Mumtaz, 2000)

26. Enthusiasm
Plan B
Student
Support
Plan B
Technical
Training
“Lack of infrastructure (particularly
connectivity, and especially in rural
areas)”
Survey of e-Learning in Africa
(2007)

27. Enthusiasm
Plan B
Student
Support
Student Support
Technical
Training
Gilly Salmon

28. Enthusiasm
Plan B
Student
Support
Technical Training
Technical
Training
Online & Face to Face training
for Students
One to one and group training
for Faculty

29. Our
Students
say…

30. More to do…
Consider building block approach
for reusability
Examine summatively assessing online
engagement
Getting the balance right
Expand the limited set of tools
Focus on E-moderating
Develop learning design guidelines

31. Thanks for joining me
on the journey….