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E-Learning and Observation
Event Type: Half-day workshop
Date: 1st April/6th April
Location: Grendon Hall, Northampton
Event Description: A course for those involved in lesson observation to enable observers to consider where e-learning could make an impact on the teaching and learning process.
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JISC RSC East Midlands Loughborough College
Radmoor Road
Loughborough
LE11 3BT
T: 01509 618110
www.rsc-em.ac.uk
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| 1 | Aims and Objectives of the Course
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The aim of the session is:
to enable observers to consider where technology could make a difference to the preparation and delivery of learning and teaching in the context of the inspection process
You will be able to:
- define e-learning and explain advantages it offers
- place e-learning within the inspection process
- in making observation judgements:
- recognise where e-learning has been used effectively
- recognise where e-learning could have been used to improve a session – but wasn’t
- identify your own staff development needs
The Route Map document below shows how the material in this course could be put to different purposes, depending on the needs of the individual.
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 Route Maps through the Moodle course Word document
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| 2 | Defining E-Learning
| What is meant by e-learning? There are wider and narrower definitions: some think of it as online learning, some as any learning using a computer. Ofsted's is quite wide - any learning where any technology is used is e-learning.
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| 4 | E-Learning and Inspection
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“The basic purpose of (Ofsted) lesson observation is to test the providers view of the quality of teaching as determined by its self-assessment process”
It's important therefore that organisation's lesson observation adopts the inspection approach to e-learning.
When assessing a lesson the questions that need asking are about the quality of the learning and how it might have been enhanced by technology. It may be that the answer is that the learning was good and technology was not needed. However, if scheme of work records show that there has been no use of technology throughout the course, that may ring alarm bells about missed learning opportunities.
Ofsted has the restricted view of observation set out above - but a learning organisation will also use observation as part of a quality cycle and consequently as part of the staff development process.
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| 5 | How can E-Learning Help?
| E-learning resources can bring added variety and involvement to teaching and learning sessions. Many of the resources are visually stimulating. Others, such as interactive whiteboards or voting systems, can bring about greater engagement from the students. At another level the resources can be a significant help for learners with disabilities. Together all these resources constitute a major addition to the toolkit of any tutor.
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| 6 | Observation and Feedback
Feedback will have three main outcomes:
Accuracy of grading. This is because Ofsted will need to be satisfied that grades conform to their criteria in order to assess the accuracy of the organisation's self assessment.
Feedback which contributes to the tutor's improvement. Observation will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the tutor, and will point to the need for personal development/training.
Aggregated observation records. Analysis of which
- will highlight training needs within the organisation
- will identify areas of good practice at a departmental and individual level
- will point to insufficient use of IT infrastructure by curriculum areas
all of which can be addressed in the quality improvement plan.
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| 8 | Peer Observation and Mentoring
| Learning from colleagues has proven advantages. The links below show how peer observation can be implemented and the benefits this can bring. Peer observation when technology is being used is particularly effective in spreading the word about the advantages of e-learning. Seeing technology in use by a colleague is always better than being told it's a good idea.
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JISC RSC East Midlands
The JISC Regional Support Centre for the East Midlands is one of 13 RSCs covering the UK. It's our job to support the development of e-learning and Information Learning Technology in FE, Sixth Form and Specialist Colleges, Adult and Community Learning, Work Based Learning and aspects of Higher Education. We cover teaching and learning, management, staff development, technical IT and business support.
This course was devised by the RSC East Midlands. It is freely available for use by the clients of any RSC. The course can be zipped up as a Moodle course and placed in a college Moodle, please contact the RSC East Midlands for the zip file if this is required. |
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