Supporting A-level Geography Students Online …at Kingston College 2004/5 LSDA Q Project

Supporting A-level Geography

Students Online…at Kingston College

2004/5 LSDA Q Project

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Supporting A-Level Geography Online at Kingston CollegeLSDA Q Project 2004-5

Outline

Virtual learning environments and curriculum delivery

Advantages and disadvantages

Why use a VLE for A-level Geography? Teaching geography online

Key functions and their applications

Evaluating online delivery Lessons for the future

Kingston College implementation of the Blackboard virtual learningenvironment to promote learning and teaching in A-level Geography

Kingston College implementation of the Blackboard virtual learningenvironment to promote learning and teaching in A-level Geography

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What is a virtual learning environment?

A web-based software resource to support learning and teaching

Learning materials Multimedia delivery Assessment Communication &

collaboration Tracking, monitoring

and user management Blackboard implemented

at Kingston College in 2001

Available from any Internet-enabled PC or Mac

Still exploring most productive use!

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Why use a VLE?

Advantages Provides a suite of

integrated tools for enhancing learning

Provides balance between ease of use and flexibility

Simple to create and publish content

Supports students working at their own, place, time and pace

Easy to create interactive learning resources

Consistent interface Supports a range of

teaching & learning methods

Disadvantages Not all students (or staff) will

have access to networked PCs

Preparing and delivering VLE-based learning activities takes time

Designing high-quality e-learning resources and activities is difficult

Students take a while to adjust to new ways of working

Online technology does not, in itself, lead to effective learning or teaching

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Why use Blackboard in A-level Geography?

Engage students and stimulate learning

Caters for a range of learning styles

Provides structure and coherence

Multi-sensory and interactive opportunities

Decision made to step-upapplication of Blackboard froma supplementary to a focal resource for 2003-4 and further extend this 2004-5

Decision made to step-upapplication of Blackboard froma supplementary to a focal resource for 2003-4 and further extend this 2004-5

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Teaching urban geography online

AQA A-Level Specification A

Human Geography Topics

Replaced a single 1 hour session each week

Students required to spend 2 hours online

Support… Induction and review sessions Fieldwork Documentation

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Accessing the materials

Interactive scheme or work

Announcements Tasks How-to guide…

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Using the VLE

Key functions Announcements Text Images Web links Tasks Learning Units Content packages Multimedia Tests Surveys Discussion Board Assignments

Key functions Announcements Text Images Web links Tasks Learning Units Content packages Multimedia Tests Surveys Discussion Board Assignments

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Discussion Board

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Tests and assignments

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Evaluating online delivery

What worked well Greater flexibility for

students and staff Framework for

learning Short self-contained

activities Re-use of the materials

What worked less well Technical problems Navigation Superficial engagement

of some students Type of interaction Feedback

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The future of Geography online?

There is a role for e-learning As a supplement to face-to-face lessons

New opportunities are provided Geography can benefit from these

Students need lots of guidance, support and encouragements

Don’t make assumptions about skills

High quality materials and presentation are critical

Technical developments will encourage greater efficiency, versatility and interaction

Documents

Supporting A-level Geography Students Online …at Kingston College 2004/5 LSDA Q Project