THE DUCKLING PROJECT DELIVERING UNIVERSITY CURRICULA:

KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING AND INNOVATION GAINS

Dr A Armellini & Dr M Nie

Beyond Distance Research Alliance

21 April 2009

http://www.le.ac.uk/beyonddistance/duckling/

3 programmes, 2 disciplines, 2 years Online MA in Applied Linguistics and

TESOL

MSc Occupational Psychology

MSc Psychology of Work

Project started in January 2009

Funded by JISC

Stakeholder involvement

Key stakeholders:

Course teams Students Employers

Challenges for both teams Interaction between students and tutors Materials too ‘dry’ Personalisation Mobility and flexibility

Specific pedagogical challenges (so far!) Psychology: assessment and support

DissertationEssaysSupervision processThreshold conceptsResearch methodsFeedback provision

Education: learning and teachingUsing each medium for what it does best,

e.g. audio for varieties of English and discourse analysis

DUCKLING: 3 technologies to enhance curriculum delivery

Podcasting

E-book readers

Second Life

Psychology podcast series Dissertation podcast series

20-25 podcasts to enhance the supervision process

Module 1 podcast series15-20 podcasts to address research methods

challenges Threshold concepts

Currently being planned, within various modules Feedback to assignments & dissertation

4 podcasts so far

Producing Outstanding DissertationsKey concepts Sections Purpose Duration Who

Navigate handbookInformal supplement to handbook

1Introduction/InspireGet students to use handbook

1 min Andrew

SocialiseHelp at design stageSupervisors: who they are

2 State who we are & roles 2 mins All

Structure of dissertationDifferent routes 3 Explain/ Discuss

deliverables 4 mins Sue

Help you to do justice to workProcedures, adviceExpectations

4 Outline of the whole podcast series 2 mins Ray

Love your dissertation handbookKey concepts Sections Purpose Duration Who

Professional developmentHow handbook was developedPurpose & common issuesBenefits for students (dissertation less stressful!)

1

Provide link with 1st podcastHighlight utility of handbook‘Selling’ the handbook

3 mins Ray

Walk through main bitsSequence of the handbook 2

Highlight contentHow to maximise benefit

3 mins Sue

Continuous useQuick reference guide (e.g. marking criteria, plan structure)Start with the end in mind

3 How to use handbook 3 mins All

Link to BlackboardSupervisor’s roleGeneral advice

4Using it alongside the rest of supervision process

1 min Ray

What makes a good research question

Key concepts Sections Purpose Duration Who

Achievable?Novelty/repeat?Narrow/broad

1To highlight the importance of good, researchable questions

3 mins Andrew/Kelly

Read aroundOperational problemResearch issueDeveloping method/instrument

2 Explain focus/stimuli 3 mins Andrew/

Kelly

Private/public agendaStrength of idea to meet criteria 3

Explain aims you need to have in mind

3 mins Andrew/Kelly

Main points 4 Recap 1 min Andrew/Kelly

Education podcast series World Englishes series

Interview with BDRA colleaguesIntegrated into Module 3: Language, Discourse

and Society, SOCIOLINGUISTICS, Unit 3 World Englishes

Middle English series Phonology series Student-produced podcasts for learner-

learner interaction, study skills, time management, etc.

World Englishes examples Example 1 – Birmingham (6’ 30’’) Example 2 – Bulgaria (7’ 24’’)

Summary 1st iteration of curriculum delivery changes

implemented through the integration of podcasts

Interventions using SL and e-readers planned

Creative ideas already under discussion to address specific pedagogical challenges

Subsequent design and delivery interventions informed by action research loops