Context: In this post, I reflect on a recent OpenCourse I have been completing. It centres on digital capacity and one I am so glad I engaged with. No matter what level you feel you are at with digital capacity, this is a very worthwhile course. Specifically, I wanted to use this blog post to reflect and detail what I decided to focus on (programme focused feedback opportunities), and show the 'story' of the process I followed. Very worthwhile overall, and a wonderfully supportive experience.
The National Forum OpenCourse
The work itself, and my platform for it, fits well with several of the areas of the DigCompEdu framework. Mapping our experience to this framework was one of the first activities, and one I would recommend people consider. It can really help to further justify the work you are doing, highlight areas you need to develop more with and in the vast majority of cases, realise how well you are already doing in this space.
My Feedback 'addiction' & rationale for this work
Essentially, you will see the reflection linked above brought me to the benefits of collating feedback in an actionable way being needed, supporting self-reflection and engagement with actioning of the feedback. I mentioned the University of Surrey's FEATS programme, and you can read more about it in the blog post's reflection section linked. FEATS has always captured my attention.
Hence, I wanted to explore the 'MyFeedback' plugin on Moodle to see how it functions, but to all investigate it from the student point of view. Taking steps towards a more holistic approach to digital feedback provision, collation and action are all on my radar. Could this plugin support the collation of Moodle feedback across programmes? Could students be empowered to extract the key points from feedback received, and extract them across modules so they can see the 'big picture'? Well that was my goal! To work towards achieving this goal, I felt it was firstly important to test, troubleshoot and use the platform initially, before planning pilots upon the return to the classroom. Obtaining student feedback at that point, as well as from the programme team, will also be important in order to both build awareness and identify any issues to further enhance its implementation. We are fortunate to have supportive teams in both our CELT and IT department, meaning we can have open discussions there and feed back any issues identified too. Considering Programme Focused Feedback OpportunitiesWhat I did here...
Once all the feedback had been provided, I was able to then swap back to the student role, examine how the feedback appears and to also investigate how it connects in to 'MyFeedback'.
The 'student' view
Can 'MyFeedback' actually help learners?...
Overall, it's a great plug in and one we should encourage staff/students to engage with across their programme/modules. It has the capacity for learners to be empowered to extract key points from feedback across all their Moodle assignments, helping them see the bigger picture on their strengths and areas for improvement that may be common across various modules/lecturer feedback.
There is potential here for students to have everything in one place, an aspect that came through in a recent national survey. A good example of this is when I reflected on previous audio feedback sent as an audio file by e mail to my students. One later said that on their bus commute a few weeks later, while listening to their library on shuffle, my feedback file started playing in their earphones! I'd prefer not to be 'landing' in their playlists, and having it all in the myFeedback lets them collate it, reflect on it etc. when they wish, and in the one place. Any major considerations/things to note?
From my use of the plug in on Moodle, I did come across some areas I feel are worth being aware of....not being negative here, but just building awareness of some points to note if you are getting started with it like me....
Integrating for the longer term?
When I began to consider the longer term, programme wide integration of MyFeedback, some points came to mind....
Overall, would I recommend a National Forum supported OpenCourse?
What's not to love? You get to be part of a wider group across the HE sector, with numerous opportunities to network and share. You are incredibly supported by the group of course facilitators. Complementing this, you are a member of a peer triad group, which truly is a real cornerstone for learning and motivation. I have been so inspired by my fellow triad members on this OpenCourse, with support, understanding, positivity and encouragement filling our meetings. Listening to different projects, viewpoints, experience, expertise is invaluable and the positive comments and suggestions you get from the triad team can make such a difference in your motivation and work too. Your colleagues can see things that maybe you didn't notice or consider, or perhaps they have tried and tested something similar before. All in all, it's been a wonderful journey to have made such strong connections with colleagues and leaders from other institutions.
|
Ronan BreeEducation Developer,Science Lecturer, Archives
March 2023
Categories
All
Any opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer.
|