2007 Symposium
Teaching and Learning Symposium 2007
'Embracing e-Learning'
The University’s 2007 Teaching and Learning Symposium – ‘Embracing e-Learning’ was held at the Polhill campus, Bedford, on June 19th, an all-day event. A priority for the day was the sharing and discussion of e-learning experiences, feeding into the development of an e-Learning Strategy over the course of the next academic year.
The number attending (125) was an encouraging increase from previous years, attendees being drawn from academic and support areas across the University, including many from partner institutions.
The Symposium commenced with a warm welcome from the Organising Committee and a brief introduction to the activities planned during the day and to the Symposium theme of ‘Embracing e-Learning’. This was followed by a presentation from the Vice Chancellor, Les Ebdon who gave an institutional perspective on ‘E-learning and CRe8’ (the new curriculum framework at the University for 2008).
Keynote speaker - Chris Pegler from the Open University then shared her extensive experience of e-learning in teaching and learning, identifying several challenges for institutions:
‘As institutions gear up for blended e-learning, they face the problem of how to make e-learning sustainable. It is not sufficient to have isolated pockets of excellence and enthusiastic individuals within an organisation. There needs to be more effective sharing of e-content and sharing of e-learning designs within institutions and beyond. This is now starting to look possible. The range of content available has never been greater, from formal learning object repositories such as Jorum and OpenLearn to informal and personal sharing using blogs, wikis or email. Technically the sharing of content and learning designs is now easier than it has ever been. So why isn't there more of it about?’
After a short refreshment break the first parallel session kicked off. A change of format for the parallel sessions was successfully tried this year, with each of eight parallel session slots consisting of 4 mini presentations followed by the presenters forming a panel for a 40 minute chaired follow-up discussion. Whilst the majority of the presentations had an e-learning theme, some were based upon University Teaching and Learning Projects and whilst e-learning may have featured, this was not necessarily providing the focus.
Over forty colleagues shared their experiences. They were either disseminating findings from research undertaken, or presenting e-learning innovations, practice, experiences and problems. Presentations included: ‘Piloting e-portfolios at the University of Bedfordshire’; ‘Using Turnitin as a tool for improving academic skills’; ‘Some issues surrounding learning platforms in primary schools’; ‘Using the wiki tool on BREO to promote collaborative learning’; ‘E-learning for beginners’; ‘Stimulating simulation’; and ‘Culture in e-learning: implications for learning effectiveness and pedagogy’. For the full list of presentations, see LINK OR JUST FOLLOWING?.
Presentations at the Teaching and Learning Symposium 2007
| Title | Presenters |
| Developing Computer Based Assessments – our service | Nick Collis and Mark Gamble [Learning Technology] |
| Building the University of Bedfordshire Educational Resource Network [UBERN] | Peter Norrington and Nik Bessis CATS] |
| Why don’t you use Computer Based Assessment? | Penny Onley [CATS] |
| Computer-Based Assessment: Kilauea scenario – an inquiry led item type for profiling the subjective judgements of learners | Angus Duncan [Research Graduate School] and Carol Collins[Learning and Skills Network] |
| Developing and evaluating the authentic and effective use of discussion boards within a blended learning approach | Pat Jefferies [ECS] |
| Blended learning and media richness theory: student perception of different media platforms within an International MBA programme |
John Beaumont-Kerridge and Sue Bathmaker [BBS] |
| Effectiveness of Wikis in developing collaborative on-line learning | Mark Atlay [Teaching and Learning] |
| E-learning for beginners | Sandra Leggetter and Deborah Flynn [HSS] |
| Using BREO to audit subject knowledge in Science |
Neil Burton, Chris Rix, and Barbara Leedham [ECS] |
| Avoiding the plagiarism trap: developing teaching material for the information literacy programme | Jo Myhill [Learning Resources] |
| Using Turnitin as a tool for improving academic skills |
David Pike and Mark Gamble [Learning Technology] |
| Using the survey tool on BREO to evaluate modules | Neil Burton[ECS] |
| Engaging students with assessment in a Year 1 skills development Module |
Diane Richardson and Peter Waterhouse [ECS] |
| Piloting e-portfolios at the University of Bedfordshire | Alfredo Gatán, Rob Manton and Maja Jankowska [CETL] |
| Bridges 2 HE – pilot programme and e-portfolios | Guy Parrott [Marketing and Entrepreneurship, BBS/ CETL] |
| The First-Year experience in Foundation Degrees: assessing the impact of the first-year experience on retention |
Geraldine Carroll [Barnfield College] and Helen Corkill [Partnerships Office/ CETL] |
| Stimulating simulation | Phil Beckwith and Susan Sapsed [HSS] |
| Project Vena: Learning and unlearning script | Mike Carter [ECS], John Handscombe [Wooden Hill Theatre Company], Geoff Tookey [ECS] |
| Managing mock interviews for large student groups – what role is there for eLearning? | Rob Manton, Petia Petrova and Dorota Ujma [CETL] |
| Learning in and from the ‘real world’ | Neville Hunt [BBS] |
| Using a "Dragon" in the classroom to enhance the effectiveness of learning and feedback | John Beaumont-Kerridge [BBS] |
| ‘Word Up’ – an exploration of how Microsoft Word might be used to promote student language development |
Norma Pritchett, Steve Briggs and Mick Baldwin [Learning Resources] |
| Using Crosswords to engage learning: Interactive games software and formative assessment | John Beaumont-Kerridge [BBS] |
| Using group work to promote independent learning through the use of BREO’s communication tools | Andrea Raiker [ECS] |
| We will work together – and that’s non-negotiable | Peter Dean [CATS] |
| Some issues surrounding learning platforms in Primary Schools | Kate Hudson [ECS] |
| Investigation of pedagogic, psychological and technical issues for competent CBA authoring | Yong Yue, Ian Robertson, Iain Williamson, Dayou Li and Des Stephens [CATS] |
| Culture in E-Learning: Implications for Learning Effectiveness and Pedagogy | Markus Haag [BBS] |
| Using the Wiki Tool on BREO to promote collaborative learning | Neil Burton [ECS] |
| The potential of supporting the teaching of subjects by non-specialists tutors through usage of a Wiki | Robb Ross [De Montfort University] and Lesley Lawrence [Centre for Quality Enhancement] |
| Second Life: Collaborating in the global metaverse | David Pike and Mark Gamble [Learning Technology] |
| Using Wikis as part of the learning process | Uli Dunne [ECS] |
The afternoon comprised of discussion on issues around e-Learning, followed by the second of the day’s parallel sessions. The Symposium concluded with an opportunity to explore the topics of the day through demonstrations of technologies by many of the presenters, and exchange of ideas over refreshments.
Views from those attending was that the day had been thought-provoking and successful, giving ample opportunity to network, meet colleagues and think about the opportunities and challenges around e-Learning.