Report on the Activities of the Curriculum Development Section, July 2004 to July April 2005

Page 4

UWIDEC APC P. 12(a)2004/2005

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

Meeting of the UWIDEC Academic Programme Committee

Friday, May 6, 2005, Cave Hill Campus

Report from The University of the West Indies Distance Education Centre

Attachment (a)

A: FUNCTIONAL AREA: Course/Programme Development (additional information)

(Report by Dr Olabisi Kuboni, Curriculum Development Coordinator, UWIDEC)

Course Development

13. B.Ed Secondary Distance project – Under the new Memorandum of Understanding between UWIDEC and this project, the Section at Mona worked to complete courses in development as new delivery arrangements were put in place for the remainder of courses. Materials already developed were provided in electronic and hard-copy format to the project office.

14. BEd Ed Admin – Work to complete two outstanding courses in this programme got underway. The courses are ED 33N and ED33A. Both are now almost complete.

15. MSc Family Medicine – Two courses remain to be completed, and revision is underway for the earlier courses. The Programme Coordinator, Dr Williams-Green, has expressed a desire to use online delivery methods in the new academic year. Discussions are underway to bring this into being.

16. Certificate in Gender Studies – Work continues on this programme. Two courses are still in draft format, awaiting revisions by the course writers.

17. BSc Management Studies – Revisions are about to begin on the following courses: MS15A, MS15B, MS32A.

Workshop evaluations:

See attached tables.

Site / Did the w/s meet your expectat-ions? / How did it fall short of your expectations? / What did you gain from the workshop / Do you have a clear idea of the skills you will need for e-tutoring? / Assistance needed to develop e-tutoring skills / Other comments /
Montserrat / NR / I did not know what to expect but benefited from the experience / More insight into what blended learning is about and use of technology to transfer the info / Yes / More practice in the process. / From Montserrat's point of view it would be necessary to host a programme like this in Montserrat eg one day for students, one day for tutors etc. because only one tutor was present here.
BVI / To some extent / Too much time spent discussing UWI administrative matters / A general understanding of the tutorial requirements for Blended learning / Yes / Support from local UWIDEC staff / The hands on activities and simulations were quite good in clarifying my understanding of the students & tutors role in e-tutoring/learning
BVI / Yes / NR / Skills needed for e-tutoring; Ways to encourage and motivate students / Yes / Excellent computer equipment / It is a good idea to bring together the tutors from the other Caribbean islands, at least once each year in order to keep abreast of the University's plans. It also helps with networking and pooling of ideas which could enhance teaching.
Antigua / Yes / NR / The interaaction with the other tutors and the introduction to Moodle was very exciting to me. / Yes / Not too sure / No response
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / Experience in working in Moodle; reinforcement of tutoring skills; what is e-tutoring; more friends in the same system. / Yes / Financial assistance to obtain a computer / Extended time for workshops; proper timing for good delivery.
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / Revision; new info; better appreciation of e-learning; the intro to Moodle. / Yes / Software so tutors can do directed centred learning / Need a full 2 days live session only on Moodle.
St. Kitts / Yes / NR / Insights into the application of Blended learning to the UWIDEC experience / Yes / NR / A workshop prior to the next semester where coordinators and tutors can meet.
St. Kitts / Yes / NR / A working knowledge of Blended Learning as it relates to e-tutoring. / Yes / Extensive practice and networking with Stacy Seecharan / Sessions were timely; remuneration should be subject to a serious review; also consideration should be given to consessions regarding tutor's university students.
St. Kitts / Yes / NR / Role of tutor made clearer; valuable info on sync vs. async and hands on experience on Moodle; research which will help immensely in e-tutoring. / Yes / Online assistance for continuance of e-tutoring. / Remuneration, given extra workload should be addressed; lack of resources should be taken into serious consideration
Barbados / Yes / NR / Wonderful interaction with colleagues from other sites; better insight into blended learning in the context of UWIDEC and where we hope to be within next year. / Yes / More hands on session greatly appreciated. / Very good workshop; needs more follow up wit tutors to finetune solutions to concerns raised.
Antigua / Yes / NR / Fundamentals of the online delivery mode of teaching. / Yes / More opportunities for practice / Time management on the whole was limited; if the bus is late just time adjust.
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / Knowledge about e-tutoring; skills required by tutors; use/operations of Moodle; Academic research on the internet; conducting research in the online environment. / Yes / The equipment; their availability and accessibility. / More workshops like this one should be held more regularly.
Nevis / Yes / NR / Critical role and responsibilities of the tutors; additional computer IT skills ie use of IT technology; enhancing teaching/learning experience; gained a brief insight into moodle and its use in e-tutoring. / Yes / Additional handson experience in the use of IT tools (Moodle) & guidance. Guided steps and demonstrations that are subject specific. / Special attention must be paid to the orientation of students; they must be provided with the necessary skills to capitalise on the use of e-tutoring.
Antigua / Yes / NR / Much about the true nature of BL. / Not sure / Basic computer skills need to be reinforced. / Very worthwhile; very helpful; would do it again.
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / Skills required for face to face and e-tutoring. / Yes / More exposure to Moodle interface / The workshop was very insightful and helped in refreshing tutoring skills for face to face and new skills for e-tutoring.
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / Gained a better understanding of role as tutor and the changes expected in the conversion from face to face to tutoring in the e-environment. / Yes / Interaction with course coordinators before implementation of the e-tutoring in Sept to determine grades, structure of the course and other matters associated with the course. / This was a very meaningful experience; I am happy to see that UWI is moving in this direction.
Antigua / Yes / NR / Confidence - the desire to improve my IT skills. / Yes / Improve IT skills. / W/S was timely; I will improve my IT skills and use the internet to improve my teaching.
Antigua / Yes / NR / Knowledge of benefits of E-tutoring; information on how to enhance current skills and build new ones / Yes / Training to improve computer skills
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / New concept of blended and e-learning; familiarity with Moodle ; the simulated activity session provided feedback on tutoring skills. / Yes / Better familiarity with software applications eg Excel and Power Point / Future workshops should include tutors, co-ordinators and facilitators.
Antigua / No / I expected more hands on on the computer. / Clear understanding of my role as a tutor; insights gained from discussions with colleagues; the vast potential of blended learning / Yes / You can e-mail information to me to keep me updated and help me to practice. / A follow up workshop befor ethe launching of BL; more communication from the course co-ordinators.
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / A perspective from tutors of other territories as to their role as tutors. / Yes / NR / NR
St. Lucia / Yes / NR / An understanding of the direction UWIDEC is heading with its e-tutoring; how the system is going to work; tips and increased skills on e-tutoring. / Yes / Assistance with Moodle / UWI should consider more of these training sessions

UWIDEC APC Paper: UWIDEC Report - attachment (a)

Professor Stewart Marshall, May 1, 2005