Supporting the Supporting the Ultimate InquiryUltimate Inquiry

IBL & Mole- based Dissertation Support in Archaeology

Lorraine Seymour

Department of Archaeology

SummarySummary

• Current situation

• Enabling factors / resources

• The approach

• IBL & MOLE-based dissertation support

• Outcomes

• Implications

Current situation

• Improve dissertation performance– Data & text based – Research questions– Methodologies– Research process

• Feasibility studies

• Level 2 Modules in critical thinking & research skills

Enabling factors / resources

• Tradition of staff collaboration

• Staff value IBL strategy

• MOLE development

• Personal Tutor Network

• Project Assistant

The approach

• IBL & MOLE-based Support at Levels 2 & 3

• Capabilities to structure & present research

• Integrating, exploring and collaborating

• Dissertation skills & activities• L2 Information & skills • Peer review mechanisms

IBL & MOLE-based Dissertation Support

• MOLE Research hub

• Dissertation Timetable

• Skills FAQs

• Information Literacy Development

• Discipline-based resources

IBL & MOLE-based Dissertation Support

• Collaboration & peer support

• Links to Level 2 Module

• Interactive slideshow

• Dissertation skills exercises– Structuring research design– Evaluating & establishing methodologies

Dissertation Skills Exercises

• Structuring research design• Progress to Date• Dissertation Aims & Research

questions• Define Milestones• Project Schedule

• Evaluating & establishing methodologies• Criticise materials & methods• Synthetic account• Dissertation Aims

Outcomes• Increasing exploration of the MOLE hub

– 67.2%. – Schedule, IBL exercises & interactive slideshow

• Student submissions– 15 out of 45

• Staff use

Week No. of Students Viewing Environment

% of Students Viewing Environment

1 31 46.3%

2 39 58.2%

3 45 67.2%

Implications

• Students engaged

• Structured & clear research

• Peer support mechanisms

• Capabilities & skills

• Milestone setting

• Peer review and advanced exercises

• Submission rates & Dissertation quality

Acknowledgements

Thanks to: Glynis Jones, Pamela McKinney, Kevin Kuykendall, Paul Wigfield, John Barrett,

Robin Dennell & Bob Johnston