University of York – Short form Learning and Teaching Case study
Please complete the boxes below, with keywords and declaration overleaf. Guides have been provided in italics where
appropriate. Try to keep the case study brief (max 200 words per section, if possible). Please email any files to be
used in online presentation of the case studies; these could include screenshots, images of staff or students, handouts
etc. and remember to make sure you have permission to use any files provided in this context.
Basic information
Name of staff member: Amy Burge
Module title: Late Medieval Literature
Department: English and Related Literature
Student level / numbers: 10
Year that activity occurred: 2010
Case study details (200 words max if possible)
Outline / overview (what did you do)
During my teaching of the undergraduate module ‘Late Medieval Literature’ I needed an accessible forum in which to display
images to the class. Having considered using the VLE for this purpose, it became clear that the potential was there to extend the
students’ use of the VLE, which I felt would be a valuable transferable skill. So I created two assignments for the students: first, to
access and comment on images and second, to create their own wiki pages in pairs to present in a 20 minute discussion in class.
They were free to edit this page as they wished.
Aims and objectives (why did you do it / change to current practice)
The VLE was the easiest way to disseminate images and I felt that using it was a valuable transferable skill for the students. I was
informed by the Department that there was no previous use of the VLE for this module or for any other that this cohort would have
taken. This was therefore a completely new practice.
Methodology (How did you do it? Tools used, resources, support, training, project funding, time taken)
I have access to a University networked PC and carried out most of the editing work from here, although I did access the site from
time to time from other computers. I received very relevant and useful training from Wayne Britcliffe, who also provided valuable
support in coming to train the students. The initial set up time for the site was slightly time consuming (estimate 5-6 hours work?)
but the resources can be used in subsequent years. There was no extra funding for this project.
Reflections (did it work, success factors, areas for improvement, student feedback and motivations, staff response)
The students seemed keen to work with the VLE and successfully did so. Some engaged less with the process than others – I think
letting them know about the tasks earlier would have been helpful and now that the resources are prepared this would be possible
in subsequent years. I would perhaps set up a blog earlier to encourage conversation between students after the course and would
alert them to the resources sooner (bibliography, seminar outlines etc). I might encourage them to link to resources they have found
to share with the class to make seminar discussion more fruitful.
Links / other info
Keywords
Learning and teaching keywords (place * in column next to key word if appropriate)
Assessment_feedback
Course_planning
Employability
Student_content
*
Group_work
*
Critical_skills
Collaboration
*
Management
*
Formative_tasks
Lt_methods
Student_skills
*
Tools and technology keywords (place * in column next to key word if appropriate)
Audio
Blogs
*
Plagiarism_detection
Discussion
*
Wikis
*
VLE
Mobile
Quiz
Module_design
e-submission
Video
Lecture_capture
*
*
Projects keywords (place * in column next to key word if appropriate)
LET
ELDT
Rapid_response
FELT
LTPC
VC_teaching
HEA
JISC
Enterprise
Other keywords (comma separated):
Declaration
In providing this information, I am happy for it to be published online by ASO to promote good teaching practice at the
University of York. I confirm that I have permission for the use of any images provided (forms submitted electronically
will be treated as if they were signed so long as the applicant’s name and date of completion are typed below).
Signed:
Date:
Please return completed form to the E-Learning Development Team c/o vle-support@york.ac.uk