working with academics to produce online content

Sarah Darley

This presentation will cover three main areas:

1. Online content

2. Involvement of academic staff

3. Effect on student learning

Online Content

Definition: Any type of digital information includedin a web page or any other similar medium. Contentcan include text,image, graphics, film, animation oraudio and can be published across the Internet,Intranet or Extranet.

Online Content

Learning Space (The Open University)

Online Content

Blackboard Learning System (Coventry University)

The difference between:

and

• Needs and expectations- Different disciplines and subject areas willhave different requirements and constraints

• Often limited resources- Time- Staff- Computers

Involvement of Academic Staff

• Technical knowledge and skills- Provision of relevant training and support- Important to create academic ownership- Sharing knowledge and information

Involvement of Academic Staff

Effect on Student Learning• Increased student dependency oninformation taken from the Internet

- Plagiarism- Copyright issues

• Assessment and feedback- Concerns over cheating

• Challenges to the tradition role of University

Key Points

• Wide range of possibilities for online content

• Universities often have limited resources anda multi-faceted software environment

• Producing online content should enhancestudents’ learning experience, not replacetraditional teaching methods

Thank you for listening.

Sarah Darley