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Introduction to the Palatine project

Project title

An exploration of learner and tutor experience in using online synchronous learning environments across disciplines within the School of Drama and Creative Industries.

Background

This is a small, 9-month project funded by Palatine (the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Dance, Drama and Music) focusing on online synchronous learning environments such as Wimba and Eluminate in drama and cultural management.

The project has the following aim and objectives:

Aim

This study investigates whether, and in what ways, tutors and learners engage with online synchronous learning environments such as Wimba and Eluminate.

Objectives

To conduct an in-depth, comparative study of tutor and student experiences of using an online synchronous learning environment (OSLE) in order to:

  • Build a rich picture of actual learner and tutor engagement with such technology across four drama programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level;
  • Develop an understanding of the impact of using an OSLE in the learning experience;
  • Develop guidelines and case studies for educators to improve learner and tutor use of OSLEs.

The five sections

The project has been divided into five mini projects with specific timeframes:

Project 1

A literature review of student perceptions and staff use of OSLEs

 

In this section of the project we will be reviewing emerging research on the use of OSLEs or equivalent in higher education from the tutor and student perspective

 

1 December 2009

Project 2

Case studies from QMU drama and cultural management using OSLE

 

Each of the tutors using an OSLE will complete an online form outlining their intended use of the OSLE, how they will introduce it to the students and their hopes and concerns for OSLE in the learning environment.

 

1 December 2009

Project 3

Exploring student attitudes to using OSLE in learning and teaching

 

After students have been introduced to the OSLE, they will be asked to volunteer for the project. They can either:

- complete an online form after having been introduced to the OSLE;

and/or

- complete online video diaries using the OSLE.

Prior to approaching the students to engage with the project, the team has sought and gained ethical approval from QMU.

 

31 March 2010

Project 4

Exploring staff attitudes to using OSLE in learning and teaching

 

The tutors who are introducing the OSLE to their students will be completing a online form about their intended use of the OSLE and then creating regular video diaries using the OSLE to reflect on their use of the OSLE. Towards the end of the project the tutors will also be interviewed individually.

 

31 March 2010

Project 5

Guidelines to using OSLE in drama.

 

The final section of the project will focus on providing guidelines for tutors in higher education using an OSLE drawing upon our experiences in the project.

 

31 July 2010

 


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