Blended learning model in OSH An Irish University model Anne Drummond and Helen Guerin, UCD.

Blended learning model in OSH

An Irish University model

Anne Drummond and Helen Guerin, UCD

History and development

1989 framework OSH legislation EU and Ireland Professional OSH training firmly established Training need for those with OSH responsibilities

identified 1993 EU funding available to develop satellite

learning technology OSH satellite programme developed in 1993

Programme objective (OSH)

To provide multidisciplinary training in the basic principles of OSH legislation, and best practice in risk management and occupational safety and health management for employees, supervisors and managers

Target market

Persons with some responsibility for safety and health at the work place

Employee, supervisor, manager training

Not professional training

Blended learning

The term blended learning is used to describe a solution that combines several different delivery methods

This OSH model combines live satellite lectures, live telephone link-up, face-to-face tutorial support, course text, self-assessment, and peer learning.

Schedule

1-year part-time programme Students attend a local centre for 2 hours /

week x 25 weeks 1-hour satellite lecture + 1-hour tutorial

2004-2005

14 sites 19 student groups 496 students

Stakeholders Internal

University academic centre University audio-visual service

External Broadcasting organisations (RTE, EBU) Partners (third level and vocational institutes,

organisations, public bodies, private industry) Specialist lecturers Tutors Students

Stakeholder relationships

Clients include employees from:

Irish defence forces Irish Rail Irish Bus Telecom organisations National Television Station Pfizer pharmaceuticals Wyeth nutritionals Waterford Crystal

Student backgrounds Adults Working full-time Studying part-time Age range 18 – 60+ Diverse educational

qualifications from lower second level to PhD

Multidisciplinary occupations and diverse professional backgrounds

Age

Over 5041 - 5031 - 4021 - 3020 or Under

Per

cent

40

30

20

10

0

11

29

34

23

6 Pedagogical components

1. Programme manual

2. Self-assessment questions

3. Live satellite-delivered lecture

4. Phone-in question and answer session

5. Tutorial

6. Assessment by projects and by examination

Delivery – Blended learning

Traditional methods Written material

Comprehensive manual, updated annually On-site tutorials

Facilitated by local tutors (OSH professionals) Self-assessment questions

Self-directed learning

Delivery – Blended learning Innovative

technology Live satellite-

delivered lecture Phone-in question

and answer session

Download frequency 11023 MHZ POL625 Pal MPE 4:2:0 61113 hsymb/s FEC 3/4

Content – 24 lectures from national experts Irish and EU Legislation Risk and Safety

management Mechanical, chemical,

ergonomic, psychosocial hazards

Occupational health, diseases and hygiene

Occupational psychology

Accident causation Accident investigation Sector safety:

construction and agriculture

Violence at work Fire and emergency

planning Electricity

Assessment

Essay project Risk assessment project Multiple choice examination Traditional examination Examination takes place in local centre

Printed learning materials

PoorFairGoodVery Good

Perc

ent

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

12

51

36

Live satellite lectures

Very PoorPoorFairGoodVery Good

Perc

ent

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

14

59

25

Interactive question and answer sessions

PoorFairGoodVery Good

Perc

ent

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 3

31

51

15

Tutorials

Very PoorPoorFairGoodVery Good

Perc

ent

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

13

32

51

Feedback from students

Strengths of the model

Legislation-driven content Concurrent delivery of consistent content

to large numbers of students Wide geographical access (satellite

footprint is centered over Europe) Reliable technology Transferable across boundaries Adaptable delivery format

Pros for participating centres

Successful package Financial incentives Local access to national expertise

Pros for students

Local access to national expertise Minimal time off work for employees in the

in-company centres Recognised qualification and certification Progression pathway to professional

qualification

Weaknesses of the model

Large numbers of students Large numbers of stakeholders Indirect control (technical, site and

broadcast partners) Heavy administrative and co-ordination

burden on providers

Track record

12th year completed in 2005 4182 students successfully completed to date 90%+ pass rate 95% completion rate Transmission delivery success > 98% Transmission receive site failure rare – prompt

follow-up and back-up facilities

Summary

Proven model for successful delivery of an OSH programme to large numbers of students over a wide geographical area.

Further information available from:[email protected]://www.ucd.ie/cshw

Short DVD with extracts from live classes