Online learning is in its infant stages in our region and both the student and teacher have yet to fully comprehend its dynamics, demands and the pedagogies associated with this mode of learning. The Orientation Activity in UU204 was designed (using standard Moodle tools) to alleviate this problem and also address the issues encountered in the previous offerings; it provides students with a preview of what to expect in this online course in an innovative and fun way. The orientation package uses a game based approach (Amazing Race). When a student has finished unpacking it, they would have answered most of their queries about the course and online learning. Students would also have accessed the support structures available within the course and the University, acquired the skills required of an online learner, and had a hands-on experience for the core Moodle tools that will be extensively used in the course. Preliminary findings via a survey in Moodle suggest that the anticipated outcomes when playing the game are achieved at the end.

2. Online orientation
• Learner readiness for
Online Learning
• Supporting the
Online Learner,
academic and non-academic
support
(Hughes, J.)
Athabasca University
• Gilly Salmon 5 stage
Model – First 2
stages are critical, a
proper orientation
needed.

3. UU204: Pacific Worlds
• First offered in Semester 1, 2012
(Blended Mode)
• Orientation via drop in consultation on the
first week, turned into the first version of
the Amazing Race - Jacki
• First few face to face sessions occur
around weeks 2 and 3
• Orientation to the content and online
pedagogy covered in these sessions
• Regional students oriented through
REACT
• Transition to online version of the
Orientation (Sem 2, 2014 Fully Online)

4. Why Orientation so important for
Online students
• Ease the transition from a
face-to-face mode to an
online mode
• No one around to show ‘the
ropes’
• Literature on e-learning
(Gilly Salmon’s Five Stage
Model) Orientation helps
students transit into the first
3 stages of the model.

5. The Amazing Race
• Why Game Based Learning for the Online
Orientation Package?
• Alleviate Information Overload for students
• Ensures that students have fun and are
continuously engaged with the content
• The different stages (checkpoints) arouses
curiosity and eagerness

6. The Amazing Race
What are the Objectives of the Race?
• Orientate students to the online environment
• Answer most of the FAQs
• Introduce students to the core Moodle tools used
in the course
• Develop technical, social & personal skills
required of an online learner.

7. Snap Shot of the Amazing Race
• There are 4 Checkpoints, Honiara, Apia, Tarawa
and Nukualofa
• The race utilizes conditional activities in Moodle

8. Snap Shot of the Amazing
Race

9. Checkpoint Apia (Quiz)

10. Checkpoint Tarawa (Forum) &
Nukualofa (Assignment Drop
Box)

11. Student Feedback
Student Feedback, 7 major themes emerged
11.4
16.9
31.4
22.2
5.5
6.8
5.8
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Interesting & Fun Gaming Concept Acquired Skills for
Online Learning
Creative
Dissemination
Information
Compels Them to
read all
Awareness of
Pacifc Cultures
Clearly articulate
the expectations
Percentage %
Aspects of the Race you liked

12. Student Feedback
• It is structured in such a way that i enjoyed getting
acquainted with my new unit and i already love learning
about the Pacific way even though i am doing science.
• It made me post on forums etc which i usually do not like
doing as i am a shy person and i guess at the end it
wasn't so hard so pushing boundaries and trying new
things :D
• It was good that you cannot move onto the next stage
until you have completed the current stage. This way you
fully understand the section before advancing

13. A work in progress…
• What next?
• Analyse Retention and
Completion Rates
• Plans for further
development of the
Amazing Race based
on Student Feedback