Scholar Presentation

1
Scholar Presentation

• BAOL Professor Phillip John
• Heriot-Watt University p.john_at_hw.ac.uk
• 30 October 2002

Web-site http//scholar.hw.ac.uk
2
Content

• Introduction
• What is SCHOLAR?
• The SCHOLAR approach
• pedagogy
• CPD programme
• SCHOLAR Forum
• Endorsements
• The e-learning road map
• Summary

3
SCHOLAR team

• Deputy Principal Roy Leitch
• Biology Phil Meaden
• Chemistry Phil John
• Computing Peter King
• Jan Swanson
• Mathematics Cliff Beevers
• Physics Mike Steel
• LTC Nils Tomes
• SCHOLAR Unit Gerry Toner

4
Heriot-Watt University

• Science, Engineering Business University
• Established in 1821
• University charter 1966
• 6000 students on Edinburgh campus
• 10000 internationally
• we aim to capitalise on our specialised
  expertise in computer based multimedia learning
  technologies, through commercial partnerships, to
  develop market opportunities for existing and new
  distance learning courses.
• University Strategic Plan 1998 -

5
Pedigree in e-learning

• Computer Assisted Learning of Mathematics
• Institute of Computer Based Learning
• Learning Technology Centre
• MBA Programme 10,000 students 140 countries
• Portfolio of niche postgraduate DL courses
• Complete undergraduate DL course in management
• Undergraduate and Masters programme in IT
• 40,000 students using Scholar in Scotland

6
Vision

• Flexible Distributed Learning
• _at_
• Foundation Science
• School/FE/University Level

7
Why maths and sciences?

• Issues
• Recruitment into science and engineering HE
  courses
• Shortage in supply of physical sciences teachers
  Roberts Report 2002
• In mathematics there are insufficient teachers
  to match the demands of the curriculum in one
  school in eight, a situation that has
  deteriorated from the previous year. OFSTED
  Report

Scholar tries to level the playing field
8
Scholar subjects

• Higher Advanced Higher
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Engineering (HN SQA)
• IT (HN SQA)
• French (under development)

9
Scholar

• Total product for foundation level maths,
  sciences
• and computer science including
• High quality interactive materials
• Staff development program for teachers
• Extensive tutor guides
• Printed materials to support online initiative
• Formative assessment
• Reporting and communication system
• More than e-learning content a supported
  learning system

10
Scholar
11
STUDY GUIDE
12
Scholar pedagogy

• Centred around specified learning outcomes
• Content promotes achievement of the learning
  outcomes
• Formative assessment policy provides student
• reassurance

Learning Outcome
Practice and feedback
Content
13
Scholar pedagogy

• Content
• Divided into topics equivalent to 10 SEH
• Multi-format delivery of e-learning
• Interactive-Web, Quality text, Formative
  assessments, Practise NABs, Revision exercises
• Supported by virtual learning environment
• Search, Discussion board, Frequently asked
  questions (FAQ), Reporting and Progress
• Embedded within teaching plan
• Resource, Toolkit, Single pupil, Groups, Classes
• Continuity
• Support, maintenance and evolution..a learning
  community

14
Scholar pedagogy

• Engagement
• visual/graphics/action/animation/simulation/varie
  ty
• Interactivity
• control/movement (DD)/taking readings/answering
  
• questions/feedback/CUE
• Flexibility
• staff (school environments, staffing situations)
  and pupils
• (at home, school and library)/tailor to courses
  University, College, School
• Integration
• teaching tool/embedded into courses/infuse into
  teaching/encourage log-on

15
Scholar pedagogy
Materials appropriate to different learning modes
(single/group/class) Pupils construct own
path Flexibility in re-visiting when ready Self
paced Round the clock availability of on-line
and text backup. Home, school, cybercafe,
hospital. access provides flexibility of
provision

• Different ways
• visual, aural, explore
• Different stages
• develop understanding
• Different times
• early bird/night owl
• Different places
• university of life

16
Scholar assessment
At home
Part Types in CUE Numerical answers Extensive
Algebraic answers Multiple Choice and Multiple
Response Word and Phrase Match Multiple
Hotspots Text and Essay Types Includes Hints
and Steps Multimedia elements
In school
17
Scholar Forum

• The SCHOLAR Forum is a non-for-profit
• organisation sustainable business model
• The Forum partners are LEAs, FE Colleges
• Learning Teaching Scotland and SCIS
• The Scottish Executive provided financial
• support (700,000)
• Provides a mechanism for feedback on academic
• and organisational issues within Scotland

18
Success to date

• Established a national e-learning programme
• Over 4,150 study hours of web materials
• SCHOLAR delivered to 30 out of 32 LEAs in
  Scotland
• gt90 of Scottish secondary schools plus SCIS
• 40,000 enrolled students in 2002
• Extensive CPD programme (gt1000 teachers)
• Supported by Scottish Executive
• Used internationally in Malaysia to support
  teachers

19
Endorsements

• Staff have found it a great resourcequality
  materialsa better experience than other Open
  Learning programmes Kelso High School
• Hats off to Heriot Watt for producing it
  Royal High School
• Very refreshing to get good quality resources
  and support Craigmount High School
• A key success factor is the flexibility..teachers
  were also impressed by the quality of materials.
  Disadvantages?none, its a plus Gracemount
  High School
• SCHOLAR Programme Evaluation, Open Campus
  Learning, June 2001

20
Roadmap 2002/03

• Launch A level QCA compliant material in 2002
• Extend media richness in association with
  commercial partners
• Subject coverage to include
• French and other European Languages
• Business Studies
• Independent evaluation (Scottish Executive)
• The Interactive University

21
Example topics
All subjects are split into manageable topics
laced with interactive animations
22
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is tailored to the
curriculum providing student and teacher with
feedback at a topic level
23
Reporting
Personal and group reporting provide progress
reports at an individual and classroom level
24
Summary

• Scholar is a national e-learning programme of
  foundation sciences, maths and computing
• Much more than just online materials
• 40,000 students already using the product
• One of Scotlands most successful e-learning
  initiatives
• a strong driver of Scotlands e-learning
  market
• A Strategic View of Scotlands E-Learning
  Capability
• Synphonix Ltd for Scottish Enterprise