Using Moodle to familiarise prospective students with HE level learning

Carolyne Jacobs, University of PortsmouthMoodle Moot 2014, Edinburgh

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Preparing for the University of Portsmouth (PrepUP)

What is it?

History?

Evidence of success?

Where are we now?

Transferability?

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Students’expectations and experiences: what are the mismatches?Research-based evidence highlight the following issues:

❏ Coping academically

❏ ‘Fitting in’ with others on their course

❏ Making new friends generally

❏ Knowing what is expected of them

Mismatches can have a negative impact on student

experiences and retention

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Students need/want to know?

❏ Topics they will be studying

❏ What happens in a typical week

❏ The format of a lecture seminar (how many students? what they will be

expected to do, etc.)

❏ Balance of contact time/independent study

+

❏ information about the city (location, transport,

etc.)

❏ accommodation

❏ social activities/sport

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

What is PrepUP?

Moodle-based resource:

Hints and tips about preparing for HE level study

Structure of course

University structure (faculties, depts/schools, etc.)

University heirarchy (VC, Deans, HoDs, lecturers)

Library and student services

+

Course-based groups on Facebook

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

PrepUP: history

2008: started as a small faculty-based project in

Blackboard (WebCT) resources and discussion grps

2009: web-based resources with Fb grps

2013: transferred to Moodle + Fb grps

Approx

2,500 registrations per year for website/Moodle

1,500 for Fb groups

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Feedback from students

“The 'My Course' section was very helpful when I was preparing for university. The sections on 'Recommended Reading' and

'First Year Topics' were also great and gave me an insight into what to expect.”

“I think the videos really help students imagine the life ahead of them so they know what to expect from university.”

“Timetable was quite useful, quizzes were a good way to get me to research things about the Uni, for example I didn't know

anything about the Spinnaker Tower, after doing the quiz on it I felt like I built the thing!”

“It relieved some of my anxiety,especially towards walking into the lecture of my own.”

“As an international student, this site helped me a lot in learning more about the university.and also,communicating with other

new students around the globe gave me a satisfactory view about the school, how organised and standardised the university

operate.”

Demo

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Impact on retention

Did not access PrepUP Did access PrepUP

2011: No show/left course early23.1% 8.6%

2013:No show/left course early 6.8% 3.1%

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

The future….

At University of Portsmouth

❏ Keeping in Moodle

❏ Re-designing for September 2014

Transferability

??

Moodle helping prepare students for HE learning

Thank you

Carolyne Jacobs

Head of Technology Enhanced Learning (Projects)

University of Portsmouth

carolyne.jacobs@port.ac.uk