Global Excellence: Connected Studios Online development of the MC130 Master of Advertising program

Transcription

1 Learning and Teaching Investment Fund final report Global Excellence: Connected Studios Online development of the MC130 Master of Advertising program Associate Professor Peter Ling School of Media and Communication College of Design and Social Context 10 February 2015 Strategic objectives addressed: The strategic goals and achievements are outlined in the Executive Summary. Goal 1 Global in attitude, action and presence and Priority 3 Develop curriculum which is internationally relevant and incorporates cross-cultural learning. Goal 2 Urban in orientation and creativity and Priority 2 Develop the concept and capability to be recognised as a global leader in the urban age and in urban sustainability, through a focus on selected areas of research and teaching and social, political and cultural engagement with partner cities. Goal 3 Connected through active partnerships and Priority 3 Support academics and teaching staff to deliver excellent education and research. Internal order number: Project leader contact details: peter.ling@rmit.edu.au Phone: Project team members: Dr Marius Foley Karen Carter Dr Emsie Arnoldi Kerin Elsum Ekaterina Tokareva Funding scheme LTIF contestable Program Development Fund X RMIT Vietnam Program Development Fund

2 1 Executive summary The project was for the Master of Advertising to play a lead role in the implementation of Connected Studios through development of courseware, protocols and learning practice guidelines. Connected Studios/MyStudio is a new online interface designed and built by the School of Media and Communication. The project concentrated on the practices and literacies required for professional, contemporary learning spaces based on student-centered and peer learning. The project was underpinned by a study of key issues in online learning platforms, such as MOOCs and Connected Learning. Connected Studios is a front-end to Blackboard, the existing Learning Management System (LMS). Connected Studios is the engagement channel, while Blackboard remains a student and assessment management facility. In addition to the research into new online learning and teaching practices, the project team reviewed Blackboard and progressed a number of improvements in the use of the system plus developed resources and new course design for the Advertising & Communication programs through an innovation network and Collabforge, an external enterprise. The learning protocols, shared with e-learning staff in HE and VE, will also be used in the forthcoming Master of Design Futures. 2 Outcomes Programs and courses benefiting from the project include: MC130/MC249 Master of Advertising MC080/MC248 Master of Communication MKTG1183 Masters Seminar series GRAP2495 Professional Practice COMM1107 Globalised Communication and Culture 3 Project outcomes and impacts 3.1 Achievements Connected Studios/MyStudio (CS/MS) At the outset of the PDF funded project we determined that a fundamental review of online learning practices and literacies was required to develop a future-oriented approach to online delivery. Much of the literature points to online delivery being impoverished, using platforms that are contrary to contemporary pedagogy. Existing LMS produces a transmission model of delivery rather than facilitating engaged and connected communities of inquiry. Connected Studios is a response to the need to update online learning spaces and practices. Connected Studios is a suite of propriety platforms that are currently supported by the University, connected by a simple dashboard and MyStudio interface. This reduces the reliance on one-stop platforms and takes advantage of constant updates produced by organisations such as Google and Evernote, among others. The CS/MS platform was delivered in December 2014, ready to test and introduce in mid Page 2 of 6

3 3.1.2 Blackboard Review Ongoing issues (2012/13) in course delivery for MC130 Master of Advertising and MC080 Master of Communication via the Blackboard system were resolved in close consultation with RMIT ITS. These include a system for rolling out correct shells; managing enrolment across face-to-face, OUA and RMIT online offerings; and workshops on Gradebook and Group set-up MC130 Advertising Program courseware and resource development Production of a series of high-resolution videos of industry guest lecturers in MKTG1183 Masters Seminar series and the establishment of the new digital e-learning team with the School with inhouse dedicated multimedia staff. Courseware development also included the Professional Practice course. In addition a new research project commenced to operationalise digital-badging within the Program, titled: Badging Graduate Capabilities for Industry. Karen Carter is investigating how Badges can be used to evaluate graduate capabilities in the Advertising and Design industries with attention to the requirements for facilitating a partnership with Advertising s governing body, the Communications Council of Australia Unpacking #gloco14 in MC080 COMM1107 Globalised Communication and Culture (#gloco14) is a fully online elective offering within the Master of Communication. Dr Marius Foley and Ekaterina Tokareva ran the course in semester 2,2104. In order to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses in the course we commissioned Collabforge to conduct a workshop with us to unpack the course and student experience. Collabforge is an enterprise that specialises in building collaboration within organisations ranging across government, local council, corporates and not-for-profit organisations. We now have guidelines to inform future online delivery via a number of platforms and modes. 3.2 Linkages elearning group An elearning group was convened at the start of the project to draw together academics from HE and VE who have an interest and experience in online learning. One general meeting was held to connect this group (approximately 20 attendees). Subsequently two meetings were convened around Connected Studios developments. These attracted approximately 50 attendees Innovation network An innovation network was formed around parallel projects to help design and develop the Connected Studios platform. This network comprised consultants on collaboration and user experience; educators and educational experts; technology providers; and stakeholders. Page 3 of 6

4 The network represents some of the key participants in the online ecosystem. Ideally we will be able to introduce students or recent graduates into the network as user testing progresses. This will be managed in small, controlled trials prior to implementing the platform. Such a knowledge - sharing network is essential for this level of development in order to realise the pedagogical aspirations into learning spaces. While the network only exists for the duration of the project, the members could be drawn on at later stages to evaluate the proposition and to develop educational and technology enhancements. This would involve detailing each assessment task against its purpose; the suitability of the online space to enable communication and interaction; the student experience as communicated to us; and the overall motivation for the course. 4 Dissemination strategies and outputs 4.1 Staff online workshop and resources A dynamic and re-usable academic resource was created based on the knowledge built during the project, including orientation and instruction for Google+, G+ Hangouts and YouTube; simple techniques for making videos, slideshare and text-based lectures and educational material; and collaborative expertise for use in coursework. 4.2 Collaboration expertise In addition to helping us understand the current online courses, Collabforge conducted workshops within the elearning Innovation Incubator and a discussion around building online collaboration practices. To induct staff into the Google system we conducted three one-hour online intensives over three days. Each intensive had a specific purpose: Day 1: Orientation to Google+ and Twitter Day 2: Use of the G+ space as a discussion forum around Personal Learning Networks Page 4 of 6

5 Day 3: Use of the G+ space as a discussion forum around online collaborative practices. As a resource we commissioned the following: 7 instructional videos by Samantha Vardanega from isimplify on aspects of Google+: setting up and managing G+ communities; Hangouts; YouTube; privacy settings; and Circles 6 instructional videos and text guidelines on basics of opting into G+; online studio teaching; simple video lectures; using Soundcloud and Slideshare; and editing in YouTube 5 video lectures on building and maintain a Personal Learning Network comprising key people in relevant educational areas and online communities as well as the suite of technology platforms and what they provide A workshop on collaboration with Collabforge comprising introductory information; online discussion. 5 Evaluation of project outcomes 5.1 Project impact and value A light-weight learning kit was identified, and implementation plan devised to assist academic staff to produce fast and effective video and audio resources for lectures and student engagement (Google Hangouts). A low-cost webcam and USB microphone provide sufficient production capability for all staff to create their own material independently and for one-off requirements. This complements the high-production values required for industry guest lecturers. Twelve lightweight kits have been purchased and made available for staff use. The project started with the Master of Advertising but the process has benefited HE and VE programs and will benefit the online delivery of the forthcoming Master of Design Futures program. Page 5 of 6

6 Appendix A Equals and MyStudio (Connected Studios) create an educational workflow that inducts students into a digital ecosystem built on propriety platforms, which re-conceptualise Masters level education as a process of becoming public. Page 6 of 6