Spheres of Influence: Ventures and Visions in Educational Development*

3-6 July, 2002
The University of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

Evaluating online learning experiences at Adelaide University for staff and students in 2001

Susan Shannon, Adelaide University, Australia
Dan McHolm, Adelaide University, Australia

In 2001 Adelaide University commenced a pilot program of online learning as computer assisted learning across the University. Within this research university, the decision had already been taken to utilise Blackboard as the software to deliver online courses as a support, but not replacement, for face-to-face teaching. The piloting of online learning was supported by the establishment of an Online Learning and Teaching Unit, staffed by academic secondments, to provide staff and student support for online learning.

In Semester 1, 19 Courses were piloted, and 3 were evaluated in depth, whereas in Semester 2, of the participating 98 courses, 10 were selected for in depth evaluation. The selected courses ranged across chemistry, physiology, architecture and landscape architecture, law, agriculture, business management, and humanities with students enrolled from first year to fifth year, from large and small classes.

The paper describes the evaluation protocol utilising formative, summative, illuminative and technical quality assurance instruments which revealed the different approaches to online learning adopted across the University by students and staff. They ranged from hostile, grudging acceptance from some more senior students to enthusiastic embracing of new opportunities from students and staff. Issues of familiarity, access and equity, collaborative learning, attendance and learning supplementation compared with replacement of face to face teaching, usage patterns, differential expectation of staff ability to construct and maintain their Blackboard websites, will be explored.

The results of the evaluation have directed support for staff and students at Adelaide University for the 2002 major roll-out of online learning. The dedicated Online Learning and Teaching Unit has been subsumed to the larger Learning and Teaching Development Unit. Students all have their personal web learning portal, and all courses have an empty course template constructed for them. Staff and student familiarisation support sessions are planned, and the demand from staff has been substantial.

Key words:
Summative; Illuminative evaluation

Objectives, outcomes and activities:

• Understand a protocol for conducting an in-depth evaluation of online learning (as distinct from software review) and receive copies of instruments;
• Understand different approaches to online learning (as computer assisted learning) for undergraduates from different disciplines from 1st year (freshmen) to 5th year (Honours students); and
• Understand different conceptions of online learning, and its contribution to students' learning, from academic staff in different disciplines.

Susan Shannon: With a background as a practising architect, university teacher, and assessment researcher, I am currently evaluating an Organisational CUTSD Grant (Adelaide/Deakin) that considers how learning changes, particularly in relation to learning from assessment, when computers are introduced. During this project, I evaluated vGallery, invented to support students, and staff in online assessment. I have been seconded 2001-2002 to Adelaide University Learning and Teaching Development Unit to evaluate the pilot of online learning to all Faculties.

Dan McHolm: For the past 8 years I have been working in the Department of Physiology in the area of academic management and technology transfer. I'm currently working on a PhD in the area of the efficacy of online learning in a concept rich domain and how it is impacted by student learning styles. I have been partially seconded to the Adelaide University Learning and Teaching Development Unit to help plan and support the implementation of the University's LMS.

Contact: Susan Shannon, email: susan.shannon@adelaide.edu.au