Seda Conference 5 May 2011

Viewpoints: Encouraging creativity and reflection in the curriculum

Dr Alan Masson, Catherine O’Donnell and Jill HarrisonSeda Workshop

5th May 2011

Session Outline

o An Introduction to Viewpoints.o Viewpoints themes and perspectives.

- Learner Engagement, Information Skills, Assessment and Feedback and Creativity and Innovation.

- Course and module view.

o Viewpoints workshop taster.- Learner Engagement, Information Skills and Assessment and

Feedback.

o Sharing of experiences and research.- Some examples of previous workshop outputs, photos, findings.

o Some evaluation findings, brief discussion, questions and close.

A short video introduction on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux0Bv7fRrQI

An Introduction to Viewpoints Viewpoints is a JISC funded curriculum

design project. It has a remit to create a series of

reflective tools to promote & enhance effective curriculum design.

The tools use a learner timeline with established principles to help staff consider areas such as:- assessment and feedback,- information skills,- learner engagement and - creativity and innovation while considering the learner perspective.

Learner Engagement PrinciplesThe principles of learner engagement are based upon the  8 Learning Events Model developed by LabSET, University of Liège, Belgium. 

1. Receive.

2. Create.

3. Debate.

4. Explore.

5. Imitate.

6. Experiment.

7. Practice.

8. Meta-Learn.

*Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/viewpointsproject/

Information Skills Principles

SCONUL 7 Pillars (http://www.sconul.ac.uk)

1. Define the task and understand the topic.

2. Identify appropriate resources.

3. Search effectively.

4. Find and extract information.

5. Compare and analyse information.

6. Organise and share information ethically.

7. Interpret information and create new content.

*Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards.

Assessment and Feedback Principles

REAP (http://www.reap.ac.uk/)

1. Clarify good performance.

2. Encourage time and effort on task.

3. Deliver high quality feedback.

4. Provide opportunities to act on feedback.

5. Encourage interaction and dialogue.

6. Develop self-assessment and reflection.

7. Give assessment choice.

8. Encourage positive motivational beliefs.

9. Inform and shape your teaching.

*Implementation ideas for each principle on back of cards.

Creativity and Innovation PrinciplesCHEP creativity working group

(http://www.ulster.ac.uk/centrehep/creativity_curriculum.html )

1. Collaborative learning.

2. ‘Open-box’ modules.

3. Negotiation.

4. ‘Real-life’ learning situations.

5. Novel approaches to learning.

6. Assessment that focuses on process.

7. Use of debates.

8. Beyond the discipline.

9. Enquiry-based learning.

*Implementation ideas for each principle on back of card have still to be added.

CourseLevel Perspective

Supports those who wish to look at Course View.

A Course Level Worksheet Example

ModuleLevel Perspective

Supports those who wish to look at Module View.

A Module Level Worksheet Example

These can be orderly or messy – it’s up to the team.

Users/teams define the outputs

Workshop Taster An opportunity for you to use some of the Viewpoints resources.

Group work scenariosGroup 1: Learner engagement, Module level.

Increase student engagement among Year 1 students.

Group 2: Learner engagement, Module level.Increase the employability of graduates during their final year.

Group 3: Information Skills, Module Level.Help Year 1 students develop information skills.

Group 4: Information Skills, Module Level.Support postgraduate dissertation students.

Group 5: Assessment and Feedback, Module Level.Help Year 1 students with their transition to Higher Education.

Group 6: Assessment and Feedback, Module Level.Improve feedback methods among Year 2 students.

*** You can move tables if you prefer.

Task 1: Consider your scenario (5 minutes)

Consider the module scenario you have been given.

Record brief details in the ‘objective’ space provided.- E.g. improve learner engagement, redesign an information skills

strategy or improve assessment and feedback methods.

Begin to think about how the theme your group has been given could help you meet your chosen objective(s).

- You might find it useful to make notes on the worksheet using markers or post-its as you go along.

Task 2 – Select principles (5 minutes)

Spend about 5 minutes exploring the set of principles provided (front of cards) and choose any that may help address your group’s objective(s).

Task 3 – Map principles to student learning timeline (10 minutes)

Place the cards on the student timeline, where you think relevant, considering the scenario and student perspective.

Note: you can place the same cards in more than one place on the timeline.

Task 4 – Select implementation ideas (15 minutes)

Turn over the most important card(s) and select ideas that could help your group achieve your agreed objective(s).

Discuss how your ideas could be used in practice. Make notes using post-its or markers on the worksheet. Note any overall action points and reflections.

Task 5 – Share plans (about 10 minutes)

One or two members from each group will be asked shortly to briefly feed back progress and key features of your group output.

Spend a few minutes now deciding what your group would like to share.

Each group will have a minute or two to share.

Before we share some of our findings we would appreciate it if you could

spend a few minutes complete a short evaluation questionnaire.

Some benefits we have observed from workshops to date

The Viewpoints Workshop Environment Informal room layout sets tone for

activity; Flat surface – people cluster around

worksheet; Tactile resources – encourage

experimentation / enquiry; Open and flexible format – facilitates

“ownership”; Customisable resources and “user

interface” – promotes creativity; Storyboard structure – focus on low

risk conversations.

User outputs (valued by teams) Form basis of an Assessment

& Feedback (or other theme) strategy.

Provide reference for future course team discussions (planning resource).

Key information currently transcribed into table (Word or other format).

Note: online tool to be developed to capture structured outputs.

Building effective teams

This can be done in a shorter period of time through:

- Informal environment.- Establishing shared

meanings and priorities.- Facilitating discussions

and the sharing of ideas.- Consensus building.- Collaborative

development of the workshop output.

Shared meanings and priorities

Interactive and engaging

Facilitated discussions

Informative and supporting

Using the Viewpoints approach and resources

Brief discussion and brainstorming activity about how the Viewpoints approach may be applicable to other institutions and/or teaching practice (15 minutes).

Summary of the main benefits of Viewpoints approach

Outputs - valued by course teams

Also,

Feedback – workshop process delivered a number of key benefits for course leaders / subject co-ordinators (social dimension)

The social dimension – transformational.

Conclusions By now you should:

o Be aware of the Viewpoints project.

o Have seen some resources and also examples of staff using Viewpoints resources and prompts.

o Have had an opportunity to use some of the resources while considering your challenge(s).

Thanks for your participation!

Any Questions?

Further information

Viewpoints project blog: http://viewpoints.ulster.ac.uk

Dr Alan Masson, Project Director - [email protected]

Catherine O’Donnell, Academic E-Learning Consultant - [email protected]

Karen Virapen, Instructional Technologist – [email protected] Harrison, Instructional Technologist – [email protected] Vilinda Ross, Research Fellow – [email protected]