Presentation at OR49 (Operational Research Society Annual Conference) in 2007. The content focuses on enhancing knowledge management across a range of disciplines through "e-ntering", an online post-acceptance pre-arrival online learning system.

1. Building bridges:
Applying OR across a
range of disciplines
Dr. Jo Smedley
Aston University
Birmingham
UK
(on secondment to JISC, Mar 07 – Feb 09)
Email: j.k.smedley@aston.ac.uk
http://www.aston.ac.uk/combhons/staff/jo

2. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 2
Background to the project
• Crossing the “bridge” to University
– Study skills
– Why do students struggle?
– What can we do to help them?
• Gap analysis among students
– Just the start of recognising gaps….
• Why do students struggle?
• What can be done to help?
• How will this affect staff?
• What can be done to help?
• What other implications are there?
• A range of OR approaches
– Forecasting
– Scheduling
– Knowledge management
– +++++

3. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 3
Rewards of learning
• Reward for students
– Enhanced academy learning
– Real-life learning that has been introduced,
nurtured and developed
– Personal and professional skills acquired
and developed
– Enhanced knowledge management skills
• Reward for staff
– Enhanced knowledge of student abilities
prior to commencement of the modules

4. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 4
First steps
• Funding
• Prototype model
– Keep it simple
– Development of online system (August
2002)
• User focused content
• Technical development
– Implementation with student users
– Revision
http://www..jiscinfonet.co.uk

5. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 5
Monitor &
Observe
Develop mechanisms
New
Undergraduate
Students
Analyze and
develop systems
Consultatio
n and
communicat
ion
Understand and support
students
Stakeholders
JISC Users and Innovation Programme

6. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 6
“e-ntering™ Combined Honours”
“e-ntering™ Level 2”
“e-ntering™ Level 3”
LEVEL 3
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
==============================================================
==============================================================
FLDC
(2005-07)
WP
(2003-05)
A levels,
IB,
Access
Level 1
Level 2 &
Foundation
Degree
Online (70%)?
Paper(10%)?
DVD(10%)?
iPod(10%)?
Online (50%)?
Paper(5%)?
SMS(5%)
F2f(20%)?
DVD(10%)?
iPod(10%)?
Online (90%)
Paper(10%)
5
Year
cycle

7. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 7
e-ntering : reflecting on learning skills
• Designed, developed and
implemented over a four year
period by students on work
placement
• Mentors students meeting new
academic challenge
– Suggested strategies for managing
study skills
• Opportunities for users to
– reflect on their progress
– consider areas for further work
– Personal Development Profiles

8. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 8
Prototypes
• Prototype 1
– Developed by two undergraduate students on placement
(Sept 04 – July 05)
– Basis online system (content/technical development)
– Tested with Year 1 undergraduates
• Prototype 2
– Developed by two postgraduate students on placement
(Sept 05 – March 06)
– Considered existing system (refined/developed)
– Tested on incoming undergraduate students Sept 2005
• Prototype 3
– Developed by two undergraduate students on placement
(March 07 – June 07)
– Considered existing system (refined/developed)
– To be tested
“developed
by students
for students”

9. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 9

10. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 10
About
Content
Quiz Feedback
Structure

11. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 11
“ I realised that
group working is not
only necessary for
university life but
also important for
my future life”
“I will use a
study strategy
after using this
system.”
“Although I have
managed to make a
significant improvement,
a lot of work still needs
to be done. I have
realised that I am quite
bossy and I need to
listen to other peoples
opinions more”
“I have
reviewed the
numeracy
knowledge and
I feel more
confident with
my skills”
Feedback on
learning
“I need to make a clear
plan for my essay
writing and spend more
time on research”
“I recognised that
my study methods
are disorganised -
I want to break
the pattern and
use a more
effective learning
strategy.”
“I need to improve my
writing and spelling as
it is really important
that others
understand my writing
at University”
“I have learned
some new things
such as the
positive side of
criticism”

12. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 12
“I have realised that
my writing is not
very easy to read as
I use a lot of long
and complicated
words. I have to
improve my writing
skills by practising
techniques”
“I have learned how
to plan and write an
essay. This is really
useful in my
university life”
Feedback on
learning
“I have realised
that spending
more time on
planning and
research is
essential”
“I have reflected a lot on
my personal development
from high school to
university, remembering
certain experiences that
changed my outlook as an
individual. I am aiming to
cooperate more in group
work – this has been a
particularly useful aspect
from e-ntering”
“I have realised
that my time
planning is
unrealistic. I
need to manage
my time better”
“I have realised that
my approach to
reading is not very
efficient as it takes a
lot of time and energy.
I will use some of the
suggestions from now
on”
“I have learned how
to make useful
notes during
lectures and how
they help my
learning process”

13. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 13
Further development
• Focus on traditionally under-represented
groups at university
– mature students
– students studying on a part-time basis
– students from non-traditional backgrounds
– direct-entry students
– students entering from Foundation Degrees
• Wider applications
• Learning approaches
– Experimenting with blends
• Technologies
– mobile technologies for work-placement reflection

14. Dr. Jo Smedley Building bridges: Applying OR across a range of disciplines 14
Key Questions
• What are the key points in designing and
developing?
– Communicating/winning “hearts and minds”
• Has anyone seen a similar system?
• How could this system could be applied
elsewhere?
• How could this system be developed further?
– More detailed analysis of use