Action Research and Reflection
Paul Hellwege
eLearning Content Designer
Twitter: @p_hellwege
Email: [email protected]
Introduction
• Monash College, a fully owned subsidiary of Monash University
• 8000 Students
• 1000+ Staff
Introduction
• 5 Divisions• Diplomas
• Foundation Year
• Bachelor of International Business
• Professional Pathways
• English Language Centre
Introduction
• Central eLearning Team
• Provide support
• Introduce technology
• Assist with college wide project
Action Research
• Implement a project• Usually in class
• Improve student outcomes
• Conduct research• Survey
• Feedback forms
• Verbal discussion
Action Research
• Reflect on practice• Use Mahara to write reflections
Goals
• Enhance participants use of technology• Moodle
• Perusall
Goals
• Set up Mahara as a repository for regular writing of reflections
Implementation
• Campus based training• Run through functionality
• Explain purpose
• Hands-on experience
Implementation
• One on one follow-ups
• Email support
Successes
• Using technology was a good idea
• More communication
Successes
• All participant shared reflections
Challenges
• Low uptake on continued Mahara use
Challenges
• Negative feedback about Mahara
Challenges
• Not enough support for staff
Where to next?
• Be more aware of where portfolios are best used
Where to next?
• Provide continued active support if technologies are rolled out
Where to next?
• Require more regular reflections from participants?