Goose is getting fat

Term 1 at UCL is coming to a close and there’s almost time to reflect on my e-learning practices.

I’ve been running a course – MSSL’s ST4 – almost entirely free of the photocopier. Does this make it e-learning? Who cares?

Notes/slides were delivered using our VLE, WebCT, but lectures ran as normal – using materials largely unadapted from the previous year (I have inherited this particular course). The existence of the course discussion forum was mentioned, but by and large ignored by the 15 students. To be honest, I think they have better things to do than chat.

Similar use was made of the VLE by me and my colleague for our Space Technology course, PHYS3C64/SS15. The online materials supplemented the normal lectures.
I’m planning a similar use for Project Management next term.

I think the students regard whatever we are doing as pretty normal. They are probably surprised if a course doesn’t at least have a web page. By and large they cope with many of the hurdles of the VLE very quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing how 80+ undergrads, who aren’t necessarily techies, get on. This time, they’ll be receiving a dead tree edition of their notes anyway so WebCT will be used for extras: optional slide-sets, some coursework briefing documents, and a forum for coursework Q+A.

Outside of my own sphere, I haven’t heard much of the last institutional workshop on e-learning strategy, nor have I been able to keep up with much more than my immediate colleagues. What about you?