Week 0 orientation activities

09/06/07

Today is my first visit into the Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development online 'Assessment: Lightening the Load, Increasing the Leanring' course. The purpose of this blog is to share my ramblings and ideas with my CQU colleagues.The kids were so excited to visit the show today. I spent much of the time feeling guilty that I should have been at home doing my marking - termus horribilus! What have I got myself in for here! I love problem based authentic assessment - will this be compromised? I am looking forward to working with others to find the illusive nexus between an optimal learning experience/quality and my/students survival in this very busy world. Still trying to mark a pile of assignments and I feel like the time spent in this course is a luxury I don't have. Yet something tells me that this will be worthwhile - so here goes ...I come with an open mind!!

We were given three tasks for induction purposes.

1. Check into Arrivals Lounge

First we are asked to check into the 'Arrivals Lounge' - quite apt with an international classroom such as this. I love the analogy of arriving at the airport and checking in to see if all class members are present and accounted for. The analogy was taken further where a request for help with my login details was considered my 'passport'.

2. Introduce ourselves

The WebCT discussion boards seem quite clumsy compared with the Bb discussion boards. Many extra key strokes are required for simpliest of tasks. It was obvious that the tutors were very willing to establish a feeling that they were 'present' to the class which was no mean feat given the international nature of the cohort. It was obvious that they use the same technique that I employ ie. ensuring that their response reflected at least one thing you wrote in your introduction so as to convey they valued your introduction. It felt nice as a student to receive this timely confirmation of your presence. The members of the class seem diverse and interesting. For many it seems that online learning and teaching is a new experience for them.

3. Complete a very basic quiz (10 questions covering the prereading / orientation basics)

The quizz was very basic but good because it gave instant gratification and feedback and felt like it further emphasied that you had arrived and were grounded. It forced a quick trip around the LMS plus a couple of the pre reading areas. I particularly liked the 'cryptic pairings' - This technique might be worth trying in my first year and post graduate Bb sites.