webLearn

"Encouraging reflection in the MBChB with the PebblePAD ePortfolio system"
Clare Ray, Naseem Akram, John Couperthwaite, Prem Kumar
Modular structures can lead to compartmentalization of learning. We developed an integrated problems (IP) module that aimed to integrate the MBChB curriculum and encourage enquiry-based learning and reflection. Students had kept personal written portfolios, but these varied in quality and showed little evidence of reflection. We trialled the use of PebblePad, on a group of 18, randomly selected students to assess whether it promoted reflection. All students posted appropriate reflections before the subsequent session; most within 24hrs. We believe that PebblePad encourages reflection and its use in IP will be implemented from academic year 2009-2010 to year one students.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"Using 'mimio Capture' to digitally capture and store information on a standard whiteboard"
Natalie Rowley
This presentation will demonstrate the use of "mimio Capture" - a relatively inexpensive gadget which can be attached to a conventional whiteboard. Information written on the whiteboard can then be captured electronically to produce handouts or movie clips. This kit has the potential to be of great value to teaching in many different disciplines.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"International Peer Review Project for Dental Students in BLOG Format"
Damien Walmsley, Karen Gardner
Blogging provides an opportunity for students to communicate across traditional boundaries. Karen Gardner at University of British Columbia leads the International Peer Review Project for Dental Students in BLOG Format. The following Universities are also involved; Birmingham, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Saskatchewan and California San Francisco. Students participate within an assigned learning community where each student posts a digital presentation of their work. Other students in the community ask the author about their case and describe how their approach would be similar or different and why. This successful format provides a unique interaction across different Universities.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"Enhancing your module with links to full journal articles - keeping legal with the CLA scanning licence"
Vicky Wallace, Dr M.J. Parkes, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences
Science students complain that finding journal articles in the library is time consuming and inefficient. If they want to study the articles at home, they also feel it necessary to photocopy everything, which adds to their time and cost. The University of Birmingham now has a CLA scanning licence that allows a designated person to make scanned pdf versions of recommended journal articles, book chapters etc. available via WebCT for the duration of the module on an annually updated basis. This presentation will outline how Library Services have worked with the School of Sport & Exercise Sciences to optimise the benefits of the CLA scanning licence. We will outline the process, effort involved and the issues to consider. This is the first year Sport & Exercise Sciences has adopted this and we also show how popular it has been with final year undergraduates. We also outline a simple WebCT enhancement enabling students to submit data obtained in practical classes that we hope will soon be available.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"Effective use of Echo360 and other capture techniques in large-and small- scale teaching settings: perceptions of students, academic staff and Technicians"
John Couperthwaite, Rob Jones, Peter Balfe, Brian Martin
We will report on an evaluation of stakeholder experiences using Echo360 to capture live lectures and events. The presenters will also discuss the pedagogical rationale for introducing these simple and flexible methodologies, best practice for embedding within WebCT, and strategic plans for adoption across the curriculum.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"The ReJiG project: re-using learning content from Jorum into WebCT"
Nancy Graham, Rachel Wood, Catherine Robertson
The ReJiG (Repurposing from Jorum into Guide to Effective Learning (GEL)) project focused on reviewing and supplementing our institution's online study skills site, in order to introduce dynamic, interactive content for use by academics with their students. The project team identified gaps within GEL and then used Jorum to find material which has the potential to appeal to a range of learning styles. The project identified a number of issues for discussion including access and searching of Jorum and the use and re-use of content within WebCT. A key aim was to promote the re-purpose process to academics and support them in their use of Jorum. The above topics impacted upon this objective and our talk will focus on these issues and possible solutions.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"Magscope - a component-free virtual microscope / image viewer"
Giles Perryer
Magscope is a web-based virtual microscope developed by the Dental School. VMs are becoming popular for teaching: they have advantages for students, teachers, and finance managers. Most VMs are not web based. Those that are use Java Applets or Flash, which are blocked by many networks. They usually do little more than emulate physical microscopes. They require technical skills to upload slides. Magscope addresses authoring barriers, and allows the student to fully interact with different parts of the image. Magscope is ideal for any large picture that needs to be appreciated both in full and in detail on a monitor screen - e.g. Virtual Patients, Architecture, Geology, Art Appreciation etc.
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"UKSpec - Open learner modelling of industrial competencies at programme level"
Peter Gardner
Presentation Slides (.pdf)

"Legal issues for the use of Web 2.0 technologies in HE"
Malcolm Kendall
Based on a recent webcast by the JISCLegal Team, this session will briefly summarize some of the legal issues for tutors intending to use Web 2.0 concepts and constructs in the electronic learning environment. Topics that will be covered include IPR (particularly copyright), data protection, accessibility, and the more murky areas of negligence, defamation, obscenity, and employment misconduct. It might be a 'virtual world' on the net, but it's still the law of the real world that applies!
Presentation Slides (.pdf)