• Learner readiness for Online Learning

• Supporting the Online Learner, academic and non-academic support (Hughes, J.) Athabasca University

• Gilly Salmon 5 stage Model – First 2 stages are critical, a proper orientation needed.

Online orientation

• First offered in Semester 1, 2012 (Blended Mode)

• Orientation via drop in consultation on the first week, turned into the first version of the Amazing Race - Jacki

• First few face to face sessions occur around weeks 2 and 3

• Orientation to the content and online pedagogy covered in these sessions

• Regional students oriented through REACT

• Transition to online version of the Orientation (Sem 2, 2014 Fully Online)

UU204: Pacific Worlds

Why Orientation so important for Online students

• Ease the transition from a face-to-face mode to an online mode

• No one around to show ‘the ropes’

• Literature on e-learning (Gilly Salmon’s Five Stage Model) Orientation helps students transit into the first 3 stages of the model.

The Amazing Race

• Why Game Based Learning for the Online Orientation Package?

• Alleviate Information Overload for students• Ensures that students have fun and are

continuously engaged with the content• The different stages (checkpoints) arouses

curiosity and eagerness

The Amazing Race

What are the Objectives of the Race?• Orientate students to the online environment• Answer most of the FAQs• Introduce students to the core Moodle tools

used in the course• Develop technical, social & personal skills

required of an online learner.

Snap Shot of the Amazing Race

• There are 4 Checkpoints, Honiara, Apia, Tarawa and Nukualofa

• The race utilizes conditional activities in Moodle

Snap Shot of the Amazing Race

Checkpoint Apia (Quiz)

Checkpoint Tarawa (Forum) & Nukualofa (Assignment Drop Box)

Student Feedback

Student Feedback, 7 major themes emerged

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

11.4

16.9

31.4

22.2

5.56.8

5.8

Aspects of the Race you liked

Pe

rce

nta

ge

%

Student Feedback• It is structured in such a way that i enjoyed getting

acquainted with my new unit and i already love learning about the Pacific way even though i am doing science.

• It made me post on forums etc which i usually do not like doing as i am a shy person and i guess at the end it wasn't so hard so pushing boundaries and trying new things :D

• It was good that you cannot move onto the next stage until you have completed the current stage. This way you fully understand the section before advancing

A work in progress…

• What next?• Analyse Retention and

Completion Rates

• Plans for further development of the Amazing Race based on Student Feedback