Incorporating online learning into a distance learning programme: challenges faced and lessons learnedPeter A. Bath, Information SchoolClaire Beecroft, ScHARRPeter Holdridge, Information School

Overview• MSc in Health Informatics

programme• Distance and online learning• Opportunities to enhance teaching

and learning • Challenges faced & lessons learned • Conclusions

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MSc Health Informatics (2000-07)• Joint programme between IS and ScHARR• Three year PT distance learning programme • Aimed at people using ICTs within health

sector:• Primarily those located in the UK.

• Commenced in September 2000• Text-based learning materials and WebCT• 3-5 Day Schools per year in Sheffield

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Challenges with original MSc HI• Day Schools:

• popular with students & very important for student support

• requirement to attend restricted programme to UK market

• required intensive staff input• Reliance on UK market:

• susceptible to funding/economic issues

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Review of MSc HI programme• 2007-08 – no new intake• Comprehensive review:

• involved whole programme team and HoD• reviewed other HI programmes in UK,

Europe, N America, and rest of world• major revisions to curriculum and delivery

modes• launched in September 2008

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Revised MSc HI programme• Re-launched September 2008

• Open to UK and overseas students• First students completed dissertations in 2011 (and

will graduate on Thursday)• Induction programmes in Sheffield (Years 1 & 3)• Using online learning to deliver teaching and

learning materials:• lectures, small group and one-to-one tutorials:

• MOLE2 and Wimba

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Online learning using Wimba• Web-based synchronous software• Used in conjunction with MOLE2• Individual password-protected login

to Information School’s own site• Virtual classrooms for each module plus

a Common Room• Colleagues use lecture rooms for

delivering lectures online in real-time

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Wimba 8

Online learning (using Wimba)• Upload .ppt file and deliver lecture at pre-arranged time (audio, video, text communication)

• All lectures archived for students who cannot attend live, and for review

• Students / staff can interact with each other: • Orally, text messaging and using icons• Ask and respond to questions; provide feedback

• Capacity to annotate slides, Whiteboard, share applications, view web-sites and share applications

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Opportunities in online learning• Synchronous teaching and learning:

• Stimulating and rewarding• Regular interaction:

• Video and audio• Staff-student & student-student

• Wimba – resource for other modules• Archives – resource for the present

and the future

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Supporting students:• 3-day induction programme in Sheffield:

• Wimba training • Sessions recorded using Echo 360

• Post-induction via Wimba/telephone/email:• Materials on MOLE2• Technical support: Pete Holdridge• Academic support:

Programme Co-ordinatorModule Co-ordinatorsPersonal Tutors

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Enhancing teaching and learning• INF6535 Analysis of Health Information:

• Students read learning materials in advance of lecture

• Live 1-hour lecture to describe statistical tests• Live 1-hour tutorial to demonstrate using SPSS

Share screen to show SPSS actionsStudents do exercises using SPSS on own

desktops and type in answers using instant messaging

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Enhancing teaching and learning• INF658 The Internet, the Web and

eHealth:• Students vote at start of live lecture on

best source of health information- results shown to group in bar chart

• Live chat during lecture to discuss the topic• Same question asked again at end of

session- bar chart shown and compared with results at start of session, final live discussion about any change in responses.

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Challenges of distance learning• For students:

• Requires time commitment (10-12 hours per week)

• Has to be accommodated with other work/family commitments

• Need flexible and understanding approach for coursework deadlines and when problems arise

• Potential for feeling isolated

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Challenges of distance learning• For staff:

• Requires time commitment (teaching and admin.)

• Has to be accommodated with other work commitments (WAF)

• Tracking students on LoA, extension requests etc.

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Challenges of e-learning• For students:

• Technical difficulties:• setting up and using MUSE and Wimba

• Attending live lectures / tutorials• Active learning encouraged:

Participation in live sessionsDirected questionsInteraction through Whiteboard

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Challenges of e-learning• For staff:

• New ways of teaching and delivering learning materials

• Timetabling live sessions• (Student) attendance at live lectures

variable

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Conclusions• Moving to online learning has enabled us

to offer MSc programme to overseas and home students

• Important to provide group / individual technical and academic support

• Opportunities to enhance teaching and learning

• Teaching online is challenging:• but rewarding and fun!

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Thank you!

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