WEB-BASED CONFERENCING SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT PBL AND GROUP WORK IN RADIOTHERAPY
Bev Ball, Holly Davenport and Matthew RedfernDirectorate of Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy
Overview of Talk• Blended T&L approaches• PBL and group work – integral to delivery on
both PG and UG programmes• Retaining student interest and participation• Response to evaluations• Convenience for students and staff• ADOBE demo
Blended Teaching and Learning Approaches• All of our programmes embrace a variety of
methods to deliver the curriculum• Include
• Group work• PBL• Lectures• Tutorials / seminars• SDL• DPS
(Reece and Walker, 2007)
PBL and Group Work• To encourage independent learning• Team working• Self motivated learners• Ownership for learning• Professionalism
Retaining Student Interest and Participation• Students familiar with e-communicator
systems • Something comfortable for our generation of
learners• Lecturer experience• Centre for Life-Long Learning at Liverpool• Adobe communicator suggested
Pilot Project Development• Classroom demonstration to use with PBL• Sent invites and web link via outlook• Students all made sure they could access the system
and their PCs supported the software• Chat / upload documents• Planned a pilot with yr 3 UG for a PBL session
Meeting Screen
Demo
• http://communicator.liv.ac.uk
• Sends invites via outlook• Link to adobe via outlook• Log on remotely• Access the chat room• Pods – layouts / sizes / function – can alter to
Pilot Outcomes
• Positive response on the whole• Efficient and user friendly• Planned for other PBL sessions• Evaluations highlighted weaknesses in
accessing the system • Not for all PBL sessions – still prefer to have
at least 1 face-to-face• Screen layouts commented on
Practice• Timetabling issues – don't like Adobe if other
sessions scheduled on same day at University
• Used for group work with UG• PGDip students for PBL – very successfully• Carry on using and integrating• Mindful of numbers in groups and to gain
optimum benefit
The Student View – Positives
• Students were keen, especially those travelling long distances to the university.
• Great tool to share resources.• Once familiar, easy to use.• Shy students more able to contribute.• More flexibility and good to see alternative
teaching methods being embraced.
The Student View – Points to Work On
• More training initially would be beneficial.• Only useful if no other sessions in university
that day.• Scribing – key points must be noted as full
conversation history is not saved.• Large groups can be hard to manage.• They also allow for people to keep quiet and
escape making any contribution.
The Student View – Overall• Good, alternative learning.• Flexibility was valuable.• Simple to use system.
• Had to take care with group sizes.
• Overall, very positive experience.• Students feel that with our feedback, use of this tool can
be streamlined and used more widely.• Students feel that e-learning will be valuable for vocational
courses such as Radiotherapy.
Future• Continue to integrate but evaluate and
monitor use• Encourage other staff to use• Maybe use web-cam and audio
Any Questions????