JISC

Start date: 31 March 2008

End date: 1 April 2009

Funding programme: e-Learning Capital programme

Project website: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/health/research/jiscprojects/atlas.html

JISC theme(s): e-Learning

Committees: JISC Learning and Teaching committee

Background

The project will support the development of a new approach to teaching and learning for first year undergraduate paramedic students around human anatomy and physiology. Rather than taking a traditional system by system approach to understanding the body – studying in a linear progression (week by week) across two semesters, students will access and use reusable learning objects (RLOs) and materials to provide relevant knowledge and information as and when they need it; focusing on key concepts and case studies illustrating common problems encountered in practice. Reusable learning objects will be selected and existing learning materials repurposed that support student learning needs. They will be embedded into a structured framework that will guide the student from one topic area to another, establishing a supporting knowledge base for their practice and also encouraging deeper study of human biology at the time it is needed.

The project recognises that technology has the potential to enhance the learning of students if used appropriately. It can encourage more independent and active learning as well as being an efficient means of delivering course materials[1]. As well as enhancing the educational experience, technology can provide students with the flexibility to choose the time, pace and location of their learning[2]. This is especially important for students and practitioners who are working full time and incorporating learning into their clinical practice or work placement. However the emphasis must be on sound pedagogical design rather than the technology itself[3]. This project therefore explores particularly the experience of staff learning as e-students in order to enhance capacity of staff to deliver valid and engaging student learning using blended experiences.

Aim & objectives

The aim of the project is to understand the impact of reusable learning content on anatomy and physiology on the learning and practice of undergraduate paramedic students through redesigning and developing an existing module offered during year 1 of undergraduate degree preparation. ADAPT - Approaches to the delivery of anatomy and physiology - will build on and use a number of approaches and tools available from JISC funded projects and other national initiatives in learning content design, repositories and application, in order to create innovative student learning opportunities in the classroom and in supervised practice.

Deliverables

• An updated project plan
• A revised and quality assured module and detailed module syllabus
• Literature supporting approach to teaching anatomy and physiology for year 1 undergraduate healthcare practitioner students.
• Progress reports
• Final project evaluation report
• Project website / blog
• The project will identify and use reusable learning objects that have been created and held by other institutions and organisations where possible and if appropriate to the module
• Identify, access and evaluate useful materials on line that could be deposited and incorporated into a repository and repurpose existing learning and teaching materials and activities to support the objectives of the project and student learning activities
• Annotated bibliography of existing mature and developing reusable content for teaching human biology
• A publication for practitioners that presents summary findings including the collective case study.
• The final report and other appropriate summaries with recommendations for further work: to be circulated via the project website as well as the JISC website.
• Academic articles and the presentation of conference papers at national conferences and events such as ALT-C, JISC and the HEA Conference.

The following is a list of the less tangible knowledge and experience we hope to build and share:

• successful quality assurance processes to include minor change, module evaluation, end of year evaluation, module leaders report and end of year course report; minutes of course management team
• lecturers and students exposed to a different teaching and learning approaches and the use of reusable learning objects
• identification of best practice in the teaching of anatomy and physiology to healthcare students

Project Methodology

1. On-going evaluation of materials and processes
2. Use of Blog / Student notice board to facilitate the action research approach to evaluation with students
3. On-going write up and reflection as part of action research

The above processes will be supported by a research assistant