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Dear Christine, Sandra and all, With campus-based students, I have found that use of discussion boards can (rightly) be seen as an imposition/waste of time by students unless they can see: * that the discussion relates to their course/study e.g. a discussion/ reflection on a face to face activity * that the discussion board is an appropriate location and medium for the interaction. So for example a two week discussion that follows on from small group activity will allow the students to share experiences from their group within the whole cohort. If this is happening at a time when students are busy with other things, then an online discussion may allow them to fit in participation with their other commitments. Another example was at the literature stage of an essay assignment where students shared references and sources - once they were convinced of the benefits of sharing, it seemed to galvanise the group into getting started - always a problem! Frances Bell, Postgraduate Programmes Tutor, Information Systems Institute, 5th Floor, Maxwell Building, University of Salford http://www.isi.salford.ac.uk/staff/fb -----Original Message----- From: learning development in higher education network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sandra Sinfield Sent: 27 July 2006 10:36 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Blackboard and pedagogy Dear Christine, I was planning on exploring the use of VLEs (we will be on VISTA) to build a sense of community and belonging in students - to see if that will impact on retention. However, I have not started that yet - it is to be a project with our -presessional summer school students... So if you have any tips for me I would be grateful! Have a great summer! Best, Sandra Christine Keenan wrote: > Dear all > > We are in the process of implementing BB now and I'm starting to plan > staff development sessions for the autumn term. I'd like to plan > sessions around using BB with students for > > a) communications (discussion groups, email etc) > b) inducting students in the use of BB > c) pedagogical approaches - eg how people are using BB as a learning > tool, how to use BB to support learning and teaching, examples of good > practice. I am also interested in looking at BB in terms of enhancing > student engagement through PDP activities. > > I'd like to demonstrate examples of good practice during these sessions > in order to try and get staff interested and engaged quite quickly - > anybody doing anything they'd like to share? > > Best wishes > > Chris > > > Christine Keenan > > Learning and Teaching Fellow > > School of Design, Engineering & Computing > > Bournemouth University > > Poole House > > Fern Barrow > > Poole Dorset > > BH12 5BB > > > > Tel: 01202 965307 > > -- Sandra Sinfield Co-ordinator (North) Learning Development LC213, Learning Centre London Metropolitan University Holloway Road London N7 6PP 020.7133.4045