“The IKEA approach to learning, so leave the kids alone”A case study of changing teaching to improve outcomes, by John Murphy and Philip Cowan, School of Humanities

Summary• A Problem

module needed fixing

• Designing an “IKEA” delivery

• Risk management and “events”

• Subjective feedback

• Lessons learned

The Problem Module

• Level 6 Journalism Module “Journalism Government and the People” was poorly received, students not really engaged.

• Attendance at lectures was low, no active discussion in seminars, quality of coursework was not great.

• External examiner questioning whether we should even continue

• Content hard to relate to perception of journalism

The old approach• 1 hour lecture• 1 hour seminar• 2 essays• Curriculum based on NCTJ

“public Affairs” – dry and technical

• Very little engagement despite changes in approach from new staff

• Learning outcomes revolved around receiving a body of knowledge from lecturer

The Wolf – is a sign that people can shop alone

The Bat – is a sign that people can find their own way around if there is proper signage

Source: IKEA TV advertisement “Tattoo Man”, 2000, Created By St Lukes, directed by Rocky Morton through Partizan Midi Minuit

The IKEA way

Maybe we should leave the students alone to find out the information – journalism is supposed to be about research

We show them the way and point them towards further resources

We offer help that is asked for, while keeping an eye out for those who are struggling

Set tasks to guide the journey

How do we apply this

Structure of the course

• One initial lecture• Two tutorials, timed to be about 10 days before the

deadline for each essay, Groups of 6 for 30 minutes each

• Lectures turned into podcasts, roughly matching the subjects contained in PowerPoint's from previous year

• Six online group tasks(Seminars) students in group take it in turns to produce a leading brief on a topic, others join in the conversation online

Risks and events

• Even though attendance was only required on two occasions for 30 minutes each time it co-incided with ; driving tests, work, other appointments, “I don’t come in on that day” etc so some students had to be pressured into attending.

• The module leader had a heart attack on the first day of term

• The student registration system that fed StudyNet was “upgraded”

• Still some students did not engage, but fewer than before

Sample of early feedback

• I like being able to choose when I do it• I listened to all the lectures in one day• I’m really enjoying doing the research• I miss lectures, they forced me to focus on the subject

during that time, I am having trouble organising myself• I think the old fashioned system suits me better, I don’t know

where I am here, its much harder work (this student got a first)• I like being able to go back and play the lectures again• I’m working harder on this than any other module, the more you

find out the more you want to know, it seems to go on forever

Analysis - strengths

• Multiple pathways through the material, can start with a book, PPT, podcast or virtual seminar – even talking to the tutor

• Assessment is closely integrated into learning• Develops self reliance, in fact there is no option but to

drive yourself through the module• Learning outcomes can include higher skills around

research, self management and personal confidence rather than just knowledge

• Tolerant to technical failure and Module Leader mechanical faults because most course content is pre-prepared

• Students used to spoon-fed approach flounder and complain

• Even good students can have genuine difficulties with a self-drive approach

• The “Signage” has to be good• Key resources, like principle texts

have to be available in LRC• Support has to be flexible, contact

hours the same but applied differently• Does not “save money”• Needs analysis of whether it is fully

inclusive

Weaknesses

Opportunities• Changes the relationship

between staff and students to one of support rather than “listen to me”

• Convert “dead” teaching time to active learning time

• More enjoyable to be a tutor; students are eager for specific help with their assignments

• Can prepare students better for professional life

• Someone will always try to argue for reduction in teaching contact hours

• Tempting to roll out to large cohorts without understanding the implications

• Is perceived by students as cost cutting even when it is not(KIS contact hours)

• Unlikely to suit Level 4 students• Very hard to match Attendance

requirement and vulnerable to fraud and “gaming”

Threats

Ensure adequate resources are available

Put students into groups – democracy is over rated

All tasks, including virtual seminars, should contribute to final grade (Nicol 2009)

Attendance or any other requirement must be carefully thought through and defined at the beginning (engagement not attendance)

More contact sessions are needed at the beginning, there will always be people who just don’t get it, register late, or face some other difficulty

Lessons learned