Wk 2d - Brazil Act 8

Reflections on Vignette - factors unpinning DL/OL practices

Pitagoras University - fictional Vignette about a students' experience of an Business Admin UG degree in the blended learning mode.

1. How do these practices compare to f2f teaching? - the main differences in my untrained opinion is that there is more onus on the student for self study and that the expectation is that you will have read something before the lecture, the lecture enhances what you've read and then you discuss it. In my experience from my UG degree which was traditional f2f, you would often find that the lecture comes first, then the reading and then the seminar. The course design also expects students to discuss the lectures further in their own time (via the VLE) rather than just in the seminar which, again, on my UG was generally the only time you saw colleagues from your course.

2. How does the vignette illustrate the benchmarks in practice?
1. Concept of education and curriculum design in the process of t&l - the course design has considered the types and location of students the course is offered to, the vignette claims satisfactory levels of flexibility, although I would question their claim for flexibility based on the rigidity of the twice-weekly lectures. They have used a range of ICTs, web based material and printed material to suit a range of learning styles. Is the process student centred? Can't really say from this vignette with my basic knowledge, what would any teachers out there think?
2. Communication systems - the students can communicate f2f at the regional centre, have facilitators at the regional centres and can communicate with each other and the centre using the VLE. There is no evidence of the communication systems between tutors and faculty.
3. Course material
I don't think we have enough information for this, and like Sharon am struggling with some of the technical language (in terms of teaching and pedagogy). It does show evidence of different types of media.
4. Assessment
Learning processes - No information
Evaluation - No information but continuous formative assessment at least seems to be in place.
5. Course team
In terms of the TV broadcast, they explain that there is a specialist subject tutor, a facilitator and a production technician and support in the regional centres.
6. Support infrastructure
Students have access to library and other student services at the regional centre, and support via the VLE. Students gather to watch the broadcasts together - is this so as not to exclude people without TVs - how much of a problem is access to TVs in Brazil?
7. Management - no information
8. Financial stability - no information

3. Which quality benchmarks embedded in their course design and teaching approach can you identify? - like Sharon I've never studied teaching styles so would appreciate learning from others.