Requirements and implementation issues for integrating computer based resources across different dis

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Requirements and implementation issues for
integrating computer based resources across
different disciplines
Dr. Marie Bassford ALT-C 2001 11-13 September
2001
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Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund (TQEF) Project

• ..demonstrates a commitment to the enhancement,
  embedding and dissemination of good practice in
  CIT to support learning and teaching as part of
  HEFCE funding
• At Loughborough a number of web based and
  computer based learning resources have been
  developed by the Faculty of Engineering Teaching
  and learning Support Centre (Eng TLSC)
• - Tutorial Record System (TRS)
• - Peer ASsessment System (PASS)
• - Lab Assistant
• disseminate resources to other faculties
• observations of specific requirements and
  implementation issues

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• Tutorial Record System (TRS)
• An invaluable on-line method of recording and
  monitoring progress of students
• Provides a mechanism to demonstrate good
  practice in pastoral care monitoring for External
  Subject Review (ESR)
• Straightforward to input student progress
• Review and Search options to analyse
  information
• Currently being developed to be automated with
  central computer services student records

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TRS Features include.

• Input data
• Allocate students
• Review students
• Searches
• Lists of students/tutors
• Look up codes

• Master tutor features
• Student information
• Tutor information
• Administration

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• Training varies
• lt 1/2 hr demo Engineering faculty
• 1hr demo Design Technology
• summer trial (Chemistry)
• Integration via replacement of existing paper
  based student monitoring
• Currently requires Technical support by Eng TLSC
  for mass student/tutor data entry
• Successful utilisation by Eng Faculty -Other
  faculties utilising in 2001-2002

Staff Perspectives on TRS.
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Lab Assistant A software shell specially written
to run alongside Engineering laboratory exercises
and provide support to students undertaking the
exercises.

• Enables tutors to deliver their own laboratory
  sessions within the shell
• Intended to be used in conjunction with in-depth
  and analytical laboratory exercises
• Comprises three main parts
• - The shell itself
• - A spreadsheet template file (content specific
  to individual laboratory exercise)
• - A second Excel file (holding students
  submitted data and related information)

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Features include.
numerical input and checking (including
verification of calculated values and provision
of appropriate feedback),
text entry
data plotting
graph sketching
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..and report generation
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Staff Perspectives on Lab Assistant.

The provision of immediate and continual help to
the students is a significant enhancement to the
quality of the learning experience. Lab Assistant
complements the tutor who is now able to deal
effectively with deeper conceptual difficulties
and larger student numbers. The facility to
verify all calculated values and the creation of
a report in a standard electronic format are also
significant aids to the tutor marking student
submissions (Steve Rothberg, Loughborough
University)

• Training? Demo 1 hr basic spreadsheet skills
• Integration into accompanying lab book
• PCs required in labs
• Successful utilisation in Engineering, but other
  faculties less successful..so far

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Student Perspectives on Lab Assistant.
Feedback from students confirms that Lab
Assistant has ...enhanced the learning
experience, encouraging active engagement,
building confidence and assisting progression
through the exercise...generate the majority of
their laboratory write-up automatically.

• No prior training necessary
• Smooth integration into lab manuscript
• Successful utilisation? ...

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• Peer ASsessment System (PASS)
• An efficient web-based resource for collecting
  peer group marks and processing the data.
• Quick and easy for the lecturer to set up
  assessment criteria and allocate students to
  groups.
• Students confidentially login via LEARN and
  allocate marks to members of their peer group.
• Marks are automatically processed and put into
  an online report for the lecturer to access.

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PASS features include.

• Input project details
• - Form name
• - Dates
• - Criteria
• Assign student groups

• Processed data
• Raw data

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Staff Perspectives on PASS.

• Training? 1hr demo
• Method of integration? replaces paper based
  method
• Technical support requirements? None, after
  initial set-up
• Success of utilisation? (very so far)
• Feedback...

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Student Perspectives on PASS.

• Training? None necessary - on-line easy to
  follow
• Method of integration? simple replacement of
  paper-based method. May require students to fill
  in form in own time, or can be in controlled
  classroom environment
• Technical support requirements? None
• Success of utilisation? Very good
• Feedbackwilly sher

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Summary
Specific requirements and implementation issues
are directly related to a) Type of computer
based resource (administration (and therefore
generic) or learning) b) Department using the
resource - current view on LT, and admin tools.
One champion of IT is all thats needed. Target
the champions.
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• Most successful.PASSwhy?
• Ease of use (staff setting up and students
  filling in forms), reduced workload. No admin
  after initial set-up.
• TRS.by word of mouth with Engineering Faculty
  (plus developed by Faculty based support centre
  TLSC). Takes longer to familiarise with resource.
  Continual admin necessary. Not viewed as useful
  unless there is already a paper-based recording
  method of tutorials. Technical support
  requirementsMass student/tutor data input each
  year. Maintenance of websitePreference on main
  campus server. Eng Faculty happy to be on Eng
  server Regardless of faculty/department (all
  linked to central computer services soon). What
  if dont use paper based method? More time...
• Lab Assistant - least successfuldepartments
  imagine only suitable for lab-based subjects
  (omit lab?) (but has other applications. E.g.
  design workshops). Lengthy (comparatively)
  set-up. Requires planning. Integration into
  accompanying lab book (time) Technical support
  requirements? Installation on PCs - availability
  in labs may be a problem
• Early stagesmore feedback after next semester

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Further Information E-mail m.l.bassford_at_lboro.a
c.uk Tel [phone] http//www.lboro.ac.
uk/faculty/eng/engtlsc/ext_projects/TQEF/content.h
tml References Steve Rothberg, 2001, Forming
an effective partnership with a dedicated Lab
Assistant a software shell for Engineering
laboratory exercises (To be published)