Leslie discussing PBL with CoreJan12 of the PGCAP

Leslie in action

Leslie Robinson was invited to discuss with our current cohort Problem-Based Learning as a curriculum design approach during our week 6 session. We keep talking about ‘delivery’ of knowledge and content but as we know this is not really possible. Knowledge is something that we synthesise and build on own and with others and through collaboration. PBL offers an attractive and stimulating alternative to more traditional content-driven approaches. I noticed that many of our students on the PGCAP were really interested to find out more and some of them started using hybrid PBL approaches in their practices already. What else can we ask for?

Thanks again Leslie for your valuable contribution!

Leslie’s team is creating opportunities for online PBL

real teamwork

Leslie’s team has started working on an exciting project to move year 3 modules of the Radiography Programme fully online using PBL as a delivery method. As Leslie knows, I feel that PBL is a way forward (not the only one of course) and can be used in many different disciplines.

Last week, I attended the first meeting with the programme team and felt inspired by the passion and commitment shown to create an intervention fit for the 21st century to make learning and teaching more flexible. In a way what Leslie and her team is trying to achieve is blending work-based learning with PBL and all this online. The technology is definitely there today to make this happen effectively especially if based on a sound pedagogical rationale and online theories of teaching and learning.What I also really liked was that another programme team had been invited who has already successfully developed an online programme. This spirit of support, sharing of expertise, skills and resources among academics was great to experience. Just wonderful!

Leslie, could you please add a post or comment about the above? Thank you.

Ivan delivering on the core module of the PGCAP

Ivan in action

I recently invited Ivan to ‘deliver’ a session on ‘delivery’ in HE within our core module of the PGCAP programme. Ivan managed masterfully to engage the whole class and create a thinking classroom, which was wonderful to experience. The debate was lively. Ivan modelled his approach of collaborative learning and shared some of the techniques he uses with his students and also engaged in a fruitful conversation with our current PGCAP students which was beneficial for all of us. Ivan made us all think and reflect on our own practice and identify opportunities to move forward.

Maybe Ivan could add a post here to share how he felt about the session. ;o)

a book suggestion

If you are interested in reading something refreshing that will make you think differently about learning and teaching, please check out David Gauntlett’s new book ‘Making is Connecting’.

growing

Growing

Just wanted to let you know that our little community here is about to get a bit bigger, we are actually going to double in size  ;o)

The Award Winners Neil is working with are also joining us very soon. Look out for their profiles and check out their posts too. It would be really good if we could keep in touch about projects and exciting work you are doing in this way and support each other. Feel free to comment on each other posts and add new posts whenever you feel there is something you would like to share with the rest of us. Please note, that you can subscribe to this blog so that you get a notification whenever something new appears on this site.

We are also thinking of getting you all together before Christmas for a festive face-to-face chat to exchange stories and experiences. More information about this will follow.

Speak again very soon.

Chrissi

Strategies for e-Learning

I enjoyed meeting Chrissi in July to discuss my plans for the Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Awards Scheme in 2011-12 (and beyond). I’m excited to be given the opportunity to think of ways in which I can develop professionally as a lecturer.

Tapping into my creative geek side, I have decided to work on a project tentatively entitled ‘Strategies for E-Learning’. I hope to reflect on how technology can enhance various aspects of my teaching at the University of Salford. In particular, I hope to teach myself to use some of Apple’s and Adobe’s latest technology for authoring professional-looking learning materials that ‘come alive’ for my students (with graphics, animations, interactive features, audio, and videos). You can check the video below for an example of what I have in mind. I look forward to sharing with you the highlights of this project! Bye for now,

Iván

Would you like to use audio with your students?

No need to purchase expensive gadgets, not even inexpensive ones. Try www.ipadio.com – all you need is a phone, any phone literally!

See how audio has been used to develop reflection at

http://morepilot.wordpress.com/ where you will find useful resources

We could try ipadio here on our blog if you like ;o) just let me know and I will set something up that we can all share and use.

Also, another option, instead or combined with audio to develop reflection would be the use of images or photovoices. Would you like to see an example? Let me know. Thank you.

Speak again very soon.