Flowing in the BREEZE

Synopsis

Dawn's unique interactive flowchart helps students to think about key concepts.

Description

Dawn uses ICE CD ROMs with audio, Flash (animation) and Breeze (audio-enhanced PowerPoint) captures, interactive quizzes, etc. She uses several different ways of presenting information to correspond with different learning styles. Her most innovative use of technology is the interactive drag-and-drop model included on her CDs.

One of the key concepts in her course is the "gap model of service quality". Because this is a fundamental part of the course, it is presented in text, with an accompanying audio file, in the form of a flow-chart style diagram, and with a Breeze video. Students can then test their understanding by use of the innovative ‘drag and drop' version of the diagram, which requires students to think about the way the model is put together, rather than simply memorising it.

Target audience

The model is used for a diverse group of undergraduate students (about 300 - 400 per semester), about 80% of whom are off campus, and many of whom are in China and Russia. It is also used with postgraduates. Dawn says interactive models like this have a wide range of applications, and are especially useful for any concepts that have stages or steps, parts or elements.

Learning goals and objectives

Dawn's main goal is to discourage rote learning. The "service quality" model is a fundamental one for the subject that diagnoses problems and provides strategies for dealing with them. Because it is a complex model and also an essential one for students to grasp, the multi-modal presentation is designed to make sure that the students grasp it properly.

Dawn's aim is to cater to different learning styles – visual, textual, aural and kinaesthetic learners are all catered for.  The self-testing allows for self-assessment in a non-threatening environment. The interactive drag and drop style allows for the aggregation of the model.

Who did/does what?

Dawn sees herself as an early adopter of technology enhanced learning tools. She sees herself as adapting and adjusting existing technologies and adding innovative elements such as the interactive drag and drop models. Another aspect in which she is strong is the development of complete, fully-integrated and varied packages on CD, meaning that the whole student experience is on the CD, rather than just resources.

Dawn says she's not intuitively technological and thinks it's just a question of finding the right people to help with a particular project, as they often turn out to be collaborative efforts. For example, there is help available to people who want to produce Flash animations but don't know how.

Results

Feedback (both formal and anecdotal) shows that Dawn's use of Breeze and her interactive multi-modal presentations were the aspects most valued by students. Her course materials were rated as the best.

Problems and advice for others

Difficulties included uncertainty about course costs and little sharing of ideas about these types of technologies.

General recommendations

Dawn would like to see more sharing of ideas and uses of technology, and especially would like to see a place where basic models and templates could be accessed, for adaptation by staff.