London South Bank University: BLOCKeD (Building Learning Objects for Collaborative Knowedge Development)

  • Start date: 2011-10-27
  • End date: 2012-09-30
  • Amount: £17,500
  • Status: in progress

This project seeks to address two significant issues faced by those designing courses seeking to enhance the academic practice of staff teaching in Higher Education. First, participants in such courses have a wide range of experience of research methodologies and methods, particularly of qualitative approaches upon which much pedagogic research depends. There is, therefore, a need for resources that personalise such input whilst enabling participants to share their developing understanding. Second, such courses are keen to model effective practice in the use of Technology Enhanced Learning but few such initiatives have had a transformative impact on practice in the sector. In addressing these issues, the project seeks to develop resources that participants can adapt for use with their own students.

This project builds on, and releases the content of, two initiatives in the Education Department at London South Bank University (LSBU) that have created a series of reusable learning objects focussed on collaborative knowledge development. These initiatives were:-

• Research methods: Collaborative technology-enhanced learning – seven substantial learning objects (or experiences) exploring aspects of research methods, each involving approximately two hours of student learning time. They were designed for inclusion in an HEA-accredited programme both for lecturers new to teaching in HE and more experienced colleagues. The resources enable support for a subject-specific, pedagogic research project to be incorporated into the delivery of this programme. The production of the resources was funded by an LSBU Curriculum Modernisation Project grant; and
• Education for sustainability - a level 7 (20 credit) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module based on adult learning theory; it is delivered wholly online using Salmon’s e-tivity model (2006). This development was partner-funded by OULDI – the Open University’s JISC Curriculum Design project

These consist of activities, comprising several e-tivities, engaging participants in exploring their own and their peer’s practice The e-tivities include providing feedback to peers on their work, and both self- and peer-assessment of work done. The innovative feature of these resources is the way in which they enhance the student experience through weaving the use of collaborative, peer- and self-assessment tools with the information provided.

Objectives

By providing at least twelve adaptable resources on subjects of widespread relevance it is hoped to promote the use of Open Educational Resources (OERs). Their impact will be enhanced by the development and provision of two online workshops to provide the support practitioners need to adapt such resources for their own students. The innovative nature of these OERs and the online workshops developed to support them are intended to overcome some of the ‘blocks’ that exist to the adoption of collaborative knowledge development in HE.

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

  • At least twelve learning objects Substantial CLOs in the areas of:
    • Research methods; and 
    • Education for sustainability
  • Two online course design workshops: March to May 2012 & June to August 2012 – practitioners in the sector will be invited to participate in an online course design programme exploring the use of the collaborative OERs
  • Documentation Publication of a guidance documents for incorporation and/or adaptation of collaborative OERs in:
    • HEA accredited programmes
    • Other programmes
  • Project report Consideration of the broader impact of collaborative learning objects.

Organisations

Lead Institution:

Contact details