OER1041 Demonstration ppt

Supporting student groupwork through multimedia and web software

Peter Hartley, University of Bradford

Conference Themes: Open Educational Content, OER Design

Abstract: In 2009, the LearnHigher Groupwork resource (http://www.learnhighergroupwork.com/ ) won the JORUM Learning and Teaching Competition and the ALT-Epigeum Award for the most effective use of video in an educational or training context. This session will demonstrate how we developed this resource and discuss implications for student learning. The resource can be used ‘stand-alone’ by individuals and/or student groups or in a lecturer-led session to work on particular issues. It focuses upon students’ experience of small group projects. These now occur in virtually all subjects within HE, often have a significant time allocation, and typically include an oral presentation within the assessment. The success of these experiences depends upon students’ interpersonal expertise. We structured the resource along a timeline which follows a group of students, beginning with their first meeting, concluding with the evaluation of their group oral presentation, and passing through a maze of tricky situations along the way! The resource adopts a problem-based learning approach, encouraging users to analyse problems and identify interventions in response to given scenarios, to engage with group members’ and external commentators’ reflections on their experiences, and to explore underpinning theories and useful techniques. The resource has been developed in line with particular pedagogic approaches and to deal with specific problems which have been identified in the literature. For example, there is evidence that the use of video material stimulates and supports learning (US National Teacher Training Institute, 2003). But we also know that getting hold of good quality, ‘believable’, easily accessible, and student-centred footage is not easy. We are also aware that students do not necessarily use resources to support them in group working even though they encounter problems (Lizzio & Wilson, 2006). To resolve these issues, the project adopted a collaborative and evaluative approach – collaborating with and seeking students’ and teachers’ feedback at all stages during the development phase; evaluating and piloting materials as developed. As well as explaining/analysing our pedagogic approaches, this session will: briefly demonstrate the resource; discuss how students have responded to this learning design; outline future development plans; and discuss collaborative and evaluative approaches to resource design more generally.

Keywords: groupwork; multimedia; open educational resource;