A Student’s Journey

Promoting Independent Learning using Blackboard

Foundation Degree in Child and Youth Studies

Overview of the aims of the presentation:

Explore the context of learning Indicate stages of development in the

use of technology Highlight the increasing emphasis on

pedagogical development Illustrate the developing skills of tutors

and studentsShow how this is supported by the

institution’s e-learning strategy

Age: between 25 – 40Work: TA for ten yearsFamily: married/separated with

2 childrenEducation: left school at 16Training: some INSET and NVQ3Why now? Decided time for herAmbitions: keen to do well, go

for a first degree, perhaps teaching

Fears: plenty! Self-esteem related to learning very low!

Introducing “Jane Average”

• Why use Blackboard – what’s in it for Jane?• How can we encourage her to get started?• How can we keep her interested as she

develops her skills?• How will it help her with her studies?• How can it make life easier for the tutors?

Blackboard in Action (a few months in the life of Jane Average)

Learning to navigate the “blue buttons”

• downloading resources

• reading and leaving messages

• finding information

• engaging in study materials

• sending emails

• engaging in group discussion

• sharing ideas, resources and work

we made it/what computer wizards we areBeverley

Tell me about it.  Computers are here to terrify us I truly believe.  They plot when we are asleep, I'm sure of it.

Mahalah

I am only just finishing the first course on the FD but have used Bb loads already. I especially like reading the words of encouragement the other cohorts give each other and to see how the course develops. quite daunting but exciting at the same time.

Claire

I've only been using Blackboard for a short time but I already use it on a regular basis. It is a very useful tool when you feel as though you're banging your head against a brick wall! It's easy to navigate and have found chatting with others extremely helpful.

Sharon

Steps to interaction

Hi Could somebody please tell me how do i reference a powerpoint in Bibliography I am struggling with this. A reply would be greatly appreciated as I have gone through lots of notes and cannot find anything.

Cheers Caroline.

Just a couple of questions ...Is it a tutor powerpoint?  In which case you reference it as

unpublished.Why do you need to reference the powerpoint?Is what has been said in the powerpoint recorded elsewhere so

that you could use a more formal book reference?As you progress the tutors begin to steer you away from using

unpublished work so if you can get in the habit of looking for more formal references now it might help. X

Juliette

Moving towards a supportive community of learners

The supportive communityHi JulietteStella XXX here (XXX's mum from rainbows).  Am entering 2nd year of course

under Cohort 2 after Christmas and am panicking big time (really big time) as we have discovered the first course is the one with the seen exam!  Am managing to keep up with course but thought this course would be further down year two.  Am extremely worried about not passing this exam.  Can you give any more info. on exam as to what we are to expect?  How do you remember all the info. to write?  At present, when I write assignments, I have books right across the table!!!

Help!  Many thanks.  Stella

Hi Stella!First thing - don't panic.Seen exam was worrying but NOT impossible.Am just preparing for an exam myself in January (Curriculum Studies) and have the

same panic  feelings that I had before!  But in my heart I know that it won't be as bad on the day as the anticipation!

Firstly some practical reading:  Paul Thomas and Christine Ritchie have written a student support book.  If you can get hold of the exam chapter you will find it very useful.  I also have some other exam technique preparation papers that I will e-mail to you.

More in next message. Juliette

The Learning CommunityInformal sharing

of views and information across the

programme

“private” discussion in

groups

posting of work (file exchange) seminar notes,

group email news

set activities from tutors

interacting with self-audits for graduate (key)

skills

using tutor resources,

including web links celebration of

success friendly, idle

“chit-chat”

Tasks set / research data collected by students

Development of ICT & other skillsAnnouncements

and news items

encouragement to persevere &

succeed

Jane’s still here!

Story of Growth: Sept 2004 – Jan 2005

22,000 hits

52% “hit” discussion board

28% “hit” learning resources

Regular use – between 5am – 1am

Sunday & Monday most popular “hit” days

Jan 1 2006 – Jun 3 2006160,00 hits & more!

Plus information & learning hits

74% “hits” for discussion boards

14% “hits” for announcements

Jan 1 2006 – Jun 3 2006

Blackboard has been accessed regularly during this time: at all hours of the day, peaking between 8 pm and 9 pm (8% of accesses); the most popular period of the day was mid-afternoon to late evening

Jan 1 2006 – Jun 3 2006

Blackboard has been accessed regularly during this time: on every day of the week with Monday to Thursday being the most popular (67% of accesses between them) and Saturday being the least (8% of accesses)

Some students visit, but do not leave messages

Drivers and Barriers

• Institutional support• the students• the tutors• the technology• the time• success

Where next?

“I don’t care what happens next – j

ust

don’t cut m

e off Blackboard yet!”