Towards vidcasts: a case study in the development and use of video podcasts

This case study presents the learning journey towards the development of vidcasts at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU). This was undertaken by the Effective Learning Service (ELS) and the Spoken Word Team at GCU. ELS was established in 2001 as a service that is available to all students irrespective of level, background or programme. It is currently located within the Learner Support Department together with other centralised services including Spoken Word, Careers, the Library, and Disability Services. The ELS has developed extensive, collaborative partnerships across schools, in the planning and delivery of context based workshops. Spoken Word Services originated in the international Spoken Word project, which aimed to transform higher education through the integration of digitised audio into learning and teaching. A collaboration and legal deposit agreement with BBC Information & Archives allows Spoken Word to make use of audio and video programmes from the BBC’s extensive archive for teaching and learning purposes. At GCU it is responsible for providing tools and technologies, coping with intellectual property rights, supplying engaging and valuable content, and encouraging reflection on the learning and teaching process. The team recognises that teachers need to develop ‘pedagogical pluralism’ and, in this context, aims to encourage students and their teachers to “write on and for the internet” (Wallace and Donald, 2008). Spoken Word has extensive experience in producing podcasts and exciting interactive material collaboratively. Working with the REAP Project (Re-Engineering Assessment Practices), Spoken Word has applied video podcasts as a driver for change, replacing a one hour weekly lecture with a 15 minute video podcast designed around a blend of a lecturer’s narration, BBC audio and video clips, and related to the lecturer’s own PowerPoint slides (REAP Pilot Projects, 2007)

Gathering the Voices: disseminating the message of the Holocaust for the digital generation by applying an interdisciplinary approach

The aim of the Gathering the Voices project is to gather testimonies from Holocaust survivors who have made their home in Scotland and to make these testimonies available on the World Wide Web. The project commenced in 2012, and a key outcome of the project is to educate current and future generations about the resilience of these survivors. Volunteers from the Jewish community are collaborating with staff and undergraduate students in Glasgow Caledonian University in developing innovative approaches to engage with school children. These multimedia approaches are essential, as future generations will be unable to interact in person with Holocaust survivors. By students being active participants in the project, they will learn more about the Holocaust and recognize the relevance of these testimonies in today’s society. Although some of the survivors have been interviewed about their journeys in fleeing from the Nazi atrocities, for all of the interviewees, this is the first time that they have been asked about their lives once they arrived in the United Kingdom. The interviews have also focused on citizenship and integration into society. The project is not yet completed, and an evaluation will be taking place to measure the effectiveness of the project in communicating its message to the public

An exploration re utilising inclusive technologies in the former School of Built and Natural Environment

The aim of this action based research project is to enhance the student learning experience through the production of vidcasts that focus on the conventions of academic writing in the former School of Building and Natural Environment (BNE) Glasgow Caledonian University. Vidcasts (using a blend of narrated audio and on screen images and slides) aim to meet students’ individual academic writing requirements by taking cognisance that students are at different stages in their academic journey The objectives were to produce models of good practice on the issues of academic writing conventions at four distinct levels. Each vidcast has links to additional support materials that are available on the internet. The vidcasts have been placed on the virtual learning environment (VLE), Blackboard and are widely used as an online resource by students and staff in the new School of Engineering Built and Environment

Feedback for future learning: delivering enhancements and evidencing impacts on the student learning experience

Enhancing the student learning experience through the provision of improved student feedback is both challenging and complex. ‘Feedback for Future Learning’ was a Glasgow Caledonian University(GCU)-wide project intended to enhance feedback practices from both the student and staff perspectives; to ensure greater awareness of, and reflection upon, feedback by students; and to encourage greater use of feedback to inform future student learning. The design, implementation and evaluation of approaches to ‘Feedback for Future Learning’ are described with an emphasis on STEM disciplines. The conceptualisation, design and implementation of a range of student feedback tools and approaches aimed to develop understanding of learning processes, reinforce learning and improve performance. This was achieved through collaboration with the GCU Students’ Association and the establishment of the University Feedback Enhancement Group. A series of generic and bespoke seminars, workshops, individual programme interventions and competitions were used to enhance comprehension of the perception, experience and use of formative and summative assessment feedback by students.   Providing opportunities for reflection and evaluation together with qualitative and quantitative metrics have demonstrated 93% satisfaction with student feedback enhancement workshops, a trebling of engagement with memorable feedback survey initiatives and a 9% increase in National Student Survey assessment and feedback satisfaction. A 16% rise in student satisfaction with the promptness of feedback, a 14% improvement in satisfaction with the detailed comments received and an 8% increase in satisfaction with the helpfulness of comments received were achieved. The lessons learned inform the continuing and sustainable enhancement of the student learning experience for STEM students and the wider University community. Keywords: Feedback, future learning, dialogue, engagement, reflection, enhancemen

Gathering the Voices: Bob Kutner

The aim of this project is to gather, contextualise and digitise oral testimony from men and women who sought sanctuary in Scotland to escape the racism of Nazi-dominated Europe