Listening to the student voice:Evaluating student experiences

of e-learning

Helen Lyons,Carin Fyfe and Rebecca Trewarne

Sheffield Hallam University

“A commitment to reviewing [student] feedback, making enhancements where appropriate and communicating responses to students has encouraged students to share a sense of ownership in the e-learning development agenda”

OBHE/ACU Consultants ReportHEA/JISC e-learning benchmarking exercise

• Consistent with previous research – holistic, qualitative, focus on understanding the day to day activities and challenges that face students

• Method– Pre-Study Questionnaire– Diary– Post-Study Interview

Overview of Findings

What makes a good module site?

Think about your learning experience withouttechnology. How would it be different and why?

Describe your last assessment and howtechnology could have been used.

How important is e-learning to youroverall learning experience?

Carin Fyfe

• Part-time Postgraduate student

• MSc Management• Distance learning

course

Current Experience

• Current learning experience predominantly paper-based

• 4 of my 10 modules have resources on blackboard

• Blackboard used inconsistently / sporadically by tutors

• Distance learning can be challenging• Mix of media could enhance learning experience

– paper-based pack delivers theoretical content– dynamic e-learning content complements pack

• Online student forum– advice and reassurance– post questions– user-added content, sharing useful resources

Rebecca Trewarne

• Full-time Undergraduate student

• Advanced Diploma Nursing

Current Experience

• All modules are currently supported by Blackboard

• Blackboard provides a central location for course information

• Assumption of students technical ability

• Sites need to have a clear purpose• A more consistent site design would make it

easier to navigate sites• Barriers to Communication

– Connect students with tutors– Connect students with other students– Allow development of full potential

What next?

• Informing the direction of Corporate Plan 2009-2013

• Confirmation of importance of rationale & structure

• “You said, we did” and “They said, you could”

• Next phase – what to drill into

Any Questions?

Helen Lyonsh.j.lyons@shu.ac.uk