A humble request: Online learning

Ferris

Hi,
I know this is meant to be a moneysaving forum, but I was wondering if some of you fine students could help me out with the research for my MSc project (it'll save me the cost of photocopying, if nothing else )?

I would be eternally grateful if you could provide me with an account of your experiences with online learning at your respective universities (whether undergrad or postgrad). I am particularly interested in tools such as discussion boards/forums and answers to some or all of the below questions:

- how were they used?
- how much were they used?
- was using them optional or compulsory?
- were they used as the only form of communication, or to support traditional class based lectures?
- why did/didn't you enjoy using them?
- how could they be improved?
- how effective were they at helping you get through the course?
- how effective were they at helping you 'learn' or 'grow' as a person?
- do you think they will ever replace traditional teaching? why/why not?

however, any other experiences of online learning would be just as much appreciated.

being a poor student, i will donate 25p to charity for every person who responds , if that isn't against the rules of the forum :S

many thanks (and with much deadline-based panic),
Ferris.

holstar

My university uses blackboard and tweek.

- how were they used? Blackboard for lectures powerpoints, reading lists, module syllabuses/aims etc, discussion boards, raw datasets for computer-lab sessions..etc....Tweek for end-of-module feedback questionaires, some multiple choice mid-term tests
- how much were they used? depends on the module (and lecturers)...some use them loads, some very little
- was using them optional or compulsory? depends...some was optional (ie, don't *have* to get powerpoints off there, but it makes it easier), some was compulsory (ie, if you didnt get data off there, you couldn't do a practical)
- were they used as the only form of communication, or to support traditional class based lectures? mainly as a support, but as the main method of getting info to all students registered on some modules (easier to put dataset on blackboard than send a massive email attachment to 100+ people)
- why did/didn't you enjoy using them? I liked them a lot...so much more support available to those who want to actively increase their learning potential than just going to lectures and trying to wade through every single journal/book on the subject matter. Discussion boards incredibly useful in some of the more technical modules, when you feel stupid going to the lecturer and asking 'how do I do x?' when on a discussion board lots of people are getting stuck on what might seem trivial matters. Common learning and debate helps to get material to stick in your head more than trying to do it on your own.
- how could they be improved? if more of the lecturers fully embraced the potential of Blackboard, some are fantastic at putting links to loads of resources on there, whereas some seem to barely know it exists. Also, some students only post questions there and are unwilling to help other people...they only work if there is give and take by everyone.
- how effective were they at helping you get through the course? depends on the particular module...as i said earlier, discussion boards are fantastic in technical modules, but less so in more reading-based modules as there is less to discuss (without getting more involved than most people want to). In the more reading-modules, if a reading list is provided it helps you to focus your research much better.
- how effective were they at helping you 'learn' or 'grow' as a person? Not sure if they have helped me learn/grow as a person, per se...its just helped with my course.
- do you think they will ever replace traditional teaching? why/why not? No. Because a lecturers enthusiasm for their subject can never be communicated through written word as well as in person, and its difficult to establish how well the class are understanding the material..in a lecture, you see the blank looks, the questions asked, which give the lecturers more immediate feedback on the material. Its just another tool to be used in helping people learn.

quite long! hope that helps. PM if I can help any more