My blended learning journey

[simon-archer]

Digital literacy skills audit

Thinking about my digital capabilities. I took a skills audit and it identified to me that I need look into how I can create wiki’s and chat rooms for students to gain knowledge and then collaborate on a question or scenario. Thinking how the chat rooms could be of benefit in inter-professional learning. 

Identify any areas of weakness and make a note of them in your journal.

Total score: 206 / 250

1. I have a general understanding of how I can use technologies to enhance my students learning 9 / 10

2. I have a good grasp of the language and culture (netiquette) of online communication 8 / 10

3. I am aware of the broad range of digital study skills that my learners will need for successful academic study 6 / 10

4. I know how to plug in and configure a microphone on my computer 10 / 10

5. I know how to plug in and configure a webcam on my computer 10 / 10

6. I know how to plug in and configure speakers on my computer 10 / 10

7. I can use the microphone, camera and speakers on my mobile devices 10 / 10

8. I am confident using a media player on my computer for viewing multimedia 10 / 10

9. I am confident that I can make the most effective use of our virtual learning environment (VLE) 8 / 10

10. I am aware of all of the tools available within our Virtual Learning Environment 7 / 10

11. I know how to set up an electronic submission area in our Virtual Learning Environment for learners to submit assignments electronically 6 / 10

12. I am confident about writing good threads for discussion boards to encourage learners to engage in effective collaborative study 4 / 10

13. I am confident using Google docs to produce and share presentations and documents 10 / 10

14. I understand how to set up a wiki for my learners to work on collaborative writing exercises 4 / 10

15. I am aware of how I could use social media to support my learners 8 / 10

16. I understand how to access and use a chat room for my learners to access 10 / 10

17. I can tell my learners how to find free online courses on the Internet to support their studies 7 / 10

18. I can create quizzes or tests online for my learners to test their knowledge and understanding 10 / 10

19. I know how to audio or video record my teaching sessions for learners to use later 10 / 10

20. I can find and recognise good quality learning material on the Internet to use with my learners 8 / 10

21. I can find copyright free or creative commons licenced digital learning materials on the Internet 9 / 10

22. I am aware of the range of ways that a mobile device could be used to support learners’ study 8 / 10

23. I know how to use digital technologies to support learners with special educational needs *7 / 10

24. I am able to give my students advice about staying safe on the Internet 9 / 10

25. I am able to give my students advice about developing and managing their online digital footprint 8 / 10*

[simon-archer]

Technologies and learning styles

I just completed a quiz thinking about what technologies could be used to scaffold the following learning theories. 1) Constructivism Technologies you chose: Video recording of learner activity, Discussion forums, Reflective logs (blog), Audio / video learning resources, Social media, Open Educational Resources, Practical activities, Simulations How you might use them: Having students on placement and completing tasks then having the supporting onsite tutor provide feedback. Getting students to write reflective blogs about what they have done that day. Engaging with online videos to help them hone their skills. 2) Social constructivism Technologies you chose: In-class mobile voting, Collaborative writing, Interactive lecture, Video recording of learner activity, Online formative assessments, Discussion forums, Social media, Audio / video learning resources, Video conferencing, Open Educational Resources, Practical activities, Simulations How you might use them: Sharing videos of what they have done on their professional social media and having people comment and give tips. Discussing in an online forum a task or problem and resolving it 3) Problem-based learning Technologies you chose: In-class mobile voting, Collaborative writing, Lecture with Powerpoint presentation, Interactive lecture, Video recording of learner activity, Discussion forums, Audio / video learning resources, Social media, Video conferencing, Open Educational Resources, Practical activities, Simulations How you might use them: Using Google Meets to have a group discuss about a project topic they will present around a problem scenario

[simon-archer]

Current blended learning approach

I’ve just realised something. After working through a lesson in the blended learning program, I was doing (some of) this over the last year of my teaching. Integrating supporting work to be done at home before the workshop, to prepare the students. Instead of them walking in, having a large chunk of the session taken up in a demonstration. 

To me it just seemed logical to do this. Let them take control over their learning and become more engaged in the practical. Some of my colleagues were concerned they would not do this and would result in them not preparing for the session and thus not learning, therefore not meeting the learning objectives. Yes this happened to an extent in the first session as they thought we would show them how to do the examination (they were informed beforehand they would not). So by then sticking to my guns and having the students start the session with a short brief then heading straight into groups to do the examination, meant they didn’t get off to the best start, they had support materials and the videos in there pods to watch again and follow along.

By the end of the session there was a fantastic buzz in the room, the students were talking through the examinations with each other, guiding, the more confident students showing the less what to do. It felt like true peer learning.

The next session that was run, the majority of students turned up prepared. They had engaged with the pre-work, and understood what to do. They still had the same supporting material but the electricity that was in the e air at the end of the previous session was there at the start. Students were truly enjoying their educational experience. 

This realisation helps me think that actually “I’ve got this, I can do this job” that feeling of why on earth did they pick me to teach these people, when will they realise they made a mistake and I’m in fact just an impostor, starts to diminish (a little bit).

[simon-archer]

New beginnings or the new normal??

If you asked me before I went on holiday at the end of February 2020 what I thought I would be doing two weeks later I could have never have guessed what I would be doing!! 

That I would be relocating my workspace from my office in the University of Portsmouth to my spare bedroom in the house, my partner and I share with our 1 year old Labrador. Okay I say we share it, she rules the roost but please don’t tell her that though!! 

Lock down happened and essentially confided us to the four walls of our home. Teaching was still happening at university, students were expecting to come in for workshops on physical assessment, sessions that required being less than 2 meters apart! They were dropped, assessments were altered in a rush to still be able to meet learning outcomes, and satisfy the GPhC that our students were of a standard to become pre-registration pharmacists. 

That period passed and ran (relatively) smoothly, then thoughts turned to the next academic year. What would we be allowed to do? What could we do it? Would students even be allowed in the university? Would the staff be allowed back? All things that I think plague our minds still daily. How do we teach our future pharmacists when we may not be able to see them face-to-face!

So I have begun my blended learning journey, taking part in a FutureLearn course on Blended Learning and creating this blog to collate my journey and my ramblings. So sit down, grab a coffee and get ready to be confused by what I am trying to say!