Interact:Interact: A Case StudyA Case Study

By Matt Dyki

School of Commerce

Charles Sturt University

How do I see Interact?How do I see Interact?

• Provides Flexibility in Teaching

• Better Integration of Subject Content

• Enhanced Communication

How do I use Interact?How do I use Interact?• Two subjects – two different ways

• ACC222 External Reporting

– Focus is Interaction with Subject Content

• MGT220 E-Commerce

– Focus is Student to Student Interaction

ACC222 External ReportingACC222 External Reporting

Interaction with ContentInteraction with Content

Background ACC222Background ACC222• 2nd Year Financial Accounting Subject

– Basically an introduction into writing annual reports

• Designed to meet professional requirements

• Covers a range of different topics– Sometimes unrelated to previous topics

• 2 Assessment items, 1 Exam– 15% Generic Skills, 15% Technical, 70% Exam

Interact Tools usedInteract Tools used• Modules Tool

– Primary tool used

• Announcements• Resources• Chat• Polls• Schedule• Web Content

The InteractionsThe Interactions

Student

Lecturer

Content

Chat RoomPolls

Announcements (1 way)Schedule (1 way)

Modules

Modules

The Modules ToolThe Modules Tool• Separate Module for each topic• Broken down into sections• End of each section an exercise

– Question on the section– Web Link to explore

• Worked examples – with Audio• End of each module

– Audio Lecture– Link to OASIS for a formative quiz on the topic

Interaction in the Modules ToolInteraction in the Modules Tool

• Student with Content– Identifying Key Points– Web links to find out more information– Exercises to test understanding

• Including online spreadsheets

– Use of Audio to cover different learning styles– OASIS quizzes to reinforce knowledge

Interaction in the Modules ToolInteraction in the Modules Tool

• Lecturer with Content– Interaction through integration of materials

• Developing Interactive spreadsheets MP3 audio lectures

• OASIS• Modules based on lecture notes/exercises

– Modules tools makes integration of these separate resources easier and structured

Other ToolsOther Tools• Announcements

– Separates my more important messages from the clutter of the forum

– If it is an announcement take note…

• Resources– Similar to flexible publishing used the same way

• Chat– Useful to answer questions in a more informal way.– An hour chat session may save two-three hours of answering

emails or forum posts.– Complete archive which is useful if student misses session

Other ToolsOther Tools• Polls

– Used for getting feedback on various things

• Schedule– Good for highlighting due dates, and class activities

• Web Content– Link to subject forum– Online learning modules

Feedback from StudentsFeedback from Students• “I have just been through Interact and its fantastic. I am currently

going through readings for topic 2 and going through interact has really clarified a lot for me.

I have just started and have found this subject already full on and knowing that we have access to additional material has allowed me to relax a bit.”

MGT220 E-CommerceMGT220 E-Commerce

Student to Student InteractionStudent to Student Interaction

Background MGT220Background MGT220• Elective Subject

• General Overview to E-Commerce– Types of E-Commerce

– Laws, Business Strategies

– Latest Developments

• Assessment includes 3 group assignments

Interact Tools usedInteract Tools used• Announcements• Resources• Chat• Polls• Schedule• Web Content• News• Most importantly, separate Project Sites for each

group

Main WorkspaceMain Workspace• Used in very similar ways to ACC222• Also News - Links to E-Commerce Times

RSS feeds• Web Content – Link to Turnitin, students

are required to submit assignments to Turnitin and EASTS

Project SitesProject Sites• Main use of Interact in this subject

• Groups have complete ownership– Each member has full admin rights– Thus group can configure and use the tools

they wish.

• Aim is for Student to Student Interaction

Tools Used in Project SitesTools Used in Project Sites• Basically the same tools as I use• Announcements

– Sending messages to each other, recorded on line

• Resources– Uploading and modifying group work– Creates a central storage point

• Chat– Used for group meetings

Tools Used in Project SitesTools Used in Project Sites• Schedule

– Clearly identities group deadlines– Who does what when

• Web content– Link to group sub-forum

• All of these are used to create, and achieve, Student to Student Interaction

Tools Used in Project SitesTools Used in Project Sites• Schedule

– Clearly identities group deadlines– Who does what when

• Web content– Link to group sub-forum

• All of these are used to create, and achieve, Student to Student Interaction

ResultsResults• Significant improvement in quality of group

work

• Groups are communicating much easier

• Genuine bonding seems to be occurring when compared to previous offerings.

The Other ToolsThe Other Tools

All of these are used to All of these are used to create, and achieve, create, and achieve,

Student to Student InteractionStudent to Student Interaction

Time FactorTime Factor• ACC222

– The modules are based on already prepared material (or material in production) reformatted into Interact

• Can be reused next session• Some extra time setting up, long term savings• Material was not developed just for Interact

• MGT220– Group set up takes a few minutes longer per group

• There has been less group issues then in the past thanks to Interact

• As such the extra time taken to set up as been offset

ConclusionConclusion• Interact provides

– Great flexibility– Better integration of resources– Better communication– Better teaching