Designing a generic model for
researcher-centered science
investigation modules
16th January 2013
Introduction to the project
• Can we match for distance learners the short,
researcher-led courses that often form part of
the final year in other universities?
• Can we provide a practical experience at third
level that will provide a credible complement to
the project course?
• Could such a third level module be provided by
an individual researcher?
What might a module look
like?
• Up to10 weeks and 10 points embedded within a
30 point module.
• Individual researcher presents module in both
production and AL role.
• All resources on-line.
• All contact via Elluminate.
• All assessment fitted into a standard, preapproved, package.
What might a module look
like?
• Practical component based on researcher’s own
experiments, data, subject specialism.
• Pedagogic style selected by researcher
• Up to 50 students per presentation.
How might a module be
produced?
• All material produced by researcher.
• No specially written OU main text – use
published papers/ reviews with commentary or
set book.
• Lectures via Elluminate, recorded podcasts
forums, databases, portfolios, wikkis etc.
• Researcher sets assessment and marks it.
Issues to consider
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Student interest
Staff interest
Contribution to research reputation
Quality control
Costs
Fees
Staff time
Set book
Copyright AAS
Published literature
Podcasts
Interviews
Animations
Maps
Charts
Image library
Specimens
Data sets
Course calendar
Staff actions
Pilot – Human evolution
Week
Activity (generic)
0
Website live
1
Introduction
Review article(s) and/or set
book chapters and podcast
Podcast
Set book (SB) chapters 1 to 4
2
Problem/discussion 1
Seed VLE forum discussion
Forum discussion Primate and anthropoid origins
3
First Elluminate session
Publish reading list
First lecture/tutorial
Review papers on ‘Out of Africa’ – SB Ch 5 to 8
Tutorial - Out of Africa versus multi-regional origin
4
Problem/discussion 2
Set-up practical task.
Seed forums on practical
Podcast intro to practical
Task – How DNA sequencing of the Denisovans
reveals relationships with modern humans
5
Forums and practical work
6
Second Elluminate session
Tutorial on practical task
7
Problem/discussion 3
Seed forums
8
Forums and practical work
9
Final Elluminate session
Tutorial on practical work
10
Work on EMA
Final podcast
11
Cut-off date for EMA
Start marking period
Set book purchase – no mailings
Literature searches and group work on forums
SB Ch 8 to 10
SB Ch 11 and 12 and group work on forums.
Write up practical task and submit as EMA
Workload
Item
Time/days
Set-up website and podcast
1
Set up forums
0.5
Elluminate sessions
3
Elluminate repeats
0.5
Set up problems/ discussions on forums
3
Set assessment
1
Mark assessment
5
Exam board
1
Module member
Back-up for ML and assist with assessment
4
Forum moderator
VLE forums
5
Module leader (ML)