Case 1: Building interaction in online and face-to-face settings for a multi-campus unit
Texts Over Time: Introduction to Literature (ENG1TOT) was taken by about 250 students across three campuses in 2007.
The Challenge: There were two key issues:
(i) all students would have satisfactory access to unit resources, whether they were metropolitan or regional, full-time or part-time,
(ii) students would be prepared and able to engage effectively with lectures and tutorials.
The approach: Kay Souter designed Texts Over Time as a blended learning multi-campus unit with a strong online component. The unit was structured as follows:
| Lecture: Weeks 1 to 13 | Live presentation/ DVD screened in class/ DVD recording in library |
| Workshop: Weeks 2 to 13 | Online workshop |
| Tutorial: Weeks 2 to 13 | Face-to-face tutorial |
Students at Albury-Wodonga and Mildura attended a class on their home campus where the recorded lecture at Bundoora was screened, facilitated by a tutor. The recorded lectures could also be accessed via TOT Online (audio-streamed) and the DVD recordings could also be borrowed and viewed in the library.
Students enrolled in TOT at the three campuses were required to complete an online workshop related to ideas presented and discussed in the lectures and tutorials. For each tutorial, students were asked to complete a preparation task, worth 2% each. Students could interact with fellow-students, tutors, lecturers and librarians via TOT Online. The discussion board allowed for blog-style posts, and chat rooms were available for real-time talk with staff or students. Tutors and library staff could also hang out in the blogosphere, and help with questions.
Kay's approach was to enhance lectures and tutorial interaction by providing opportunities for interaction via blended modes, both online and face-to-face, and an incentive for students to prepare for lectures and tutorials.