Teachers’ initial experiences of the
Exploring Existing Knowledge (EEK) project
Vicki Dale1, Clive Young1 and Ros Duhs2
1E-Learning
Environments and 2Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching, University College London
About EEK
Challenges
Background
• SLMS Innovation grant funded
• CALT/ELE working with staff from 11 departments
to develop diagnostic quizzes for new Masters
students
Teachers were motivated to get involved to:
• Embrace new technology/modernise course
• Assess students’ starting points to plan teaching
• Provide a course taster
• Help students prepare for course
• Highlight knowledge/skills gaps in
non-threatening way
Different student backgrounds
• Different levels of pre-existing knowledge
• Different subject backgrounds
• English as a Second Language
• Cultural differences re: learning and teaching
Students’ lack of essential skills
• Academic writing
• Note-taking
• Organisation skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical (laboratory) experience
Project outcomes & benefits
What do your new
students struggle with?
Please write your answers below
Introductory open courses
• Diagnostic quizzes, to:
• Check readiness for
applying to the course
• Check whether
professional / study skills
training needed
• Counteract varying subject
backgrounds (contentfocused)
• Welcoming/orientation videos
• Online discussions to
promote peer support
Additional support requested
How diagnostic quizzes help
• Build students’ confidence
• Freshen up existing
knowledge
• Help diagnose strengths and
weaknesses
• Provide immediate feedback
and links to resources
• Provide theoretical
knowledge (for practical labs)
• Additional learning benefits
for student authors
How else might we best
support new students?
Please write your answers below
Find out more?
More CALT/ELE training
• More small-group training e.g. on question design
• Advice on suitable quiz platforms
• Updates about what other staff are doing
• More support for high quality video capture
Come to our
UCL Arena workshop
Tuesday 15th April, 4-5pm
Resources
• Earlier pre-enrolment access / open courses
• Sharing of EEK quizzes between departments
• Centrally indexed video repository to direct students
to specific lectures
• More centralised support for generic skills
development and ESL
Participants will be encouraged to consider the learning
needs of their own students and what strategies and
resources might be developed to prepare them for
university, especially at postgraduate level.
Acknowledgements: A sincere thank you to our
interview participants: Andrew Batchelor, Joyce Harper,
Julie Olszewski, David West and Janet Wood; and
everyone else who participated in the EEK project.
Please email arena@ucl.ac.uk
if you wish to attend.