dynamic learning maps: geography curriculum, skills and careers

http://learning-maps.ncl.ac.uk

Simon Cotterill, Alison Williams, John Peterson, Steve Juggins, Steve Ball, Ailsa McLeod, Tony McDonald, Gordon Skelly, Alex Jeffrey, David Fairbairn,

Dynamic Learning Maps: mapping curricula, skills and career paths

Background

• UTLSEC Innovations Fund project 2011/12• Evaluating Dynamic Learning Maps in Geography

• Builds on the JISC funded ‘Dynamic Learning Maps’ project– Evaluated in Medicine, Psychology & Speech Therapy– Curriculum Maps– Personal learning (links to ePortfolio)

Aims

• To further embed reflection and personal development planning in the curriculum.

• Helping students to be better informed about module selection – clearly showing pre-requisites / requirements, and potential career paths.

• Improving ‘cross-modular’ learning and teaching of research methods and techniques across the curriculum.

• Evaluate and disseminate use and applicability of DLM in non-health related contexts.

Summary of Learning Maps

Skills and CareersBrowse skills and career pathsMake links between curriculum and skill and careers

Curriculum MapsOverview , Prior learning, Current & Future learning

Personal LearningPersonalised, sharing , reflective notes and evidencing outcomes

Linking Learning ResourcesAdd links to resourcesRate and add comments

Demonstration

Initial interfaces & user preferences

Text-based interface

Mind-map style interface

Forthcoming focus groups:explore options e.g. colour codingterminology e.g. ‘nodes’ or topics

Mapping Specialties, Skills & Careers

• Geography specialties / sub-specialties– Map to modules

• Graduate Skills Framework• Careers– Map to skills, specialties & modules

Mapping Work

Linked in SAP and MOFs data into Curriculum maps

Search

External ResourcesLinked to topics + Search

Evaluation

• January 2012– Evaluation with Stage 2 students (n=121)

• February 2012– Evaluation with Stage 3 students (n=81)

• May 2012– Presentation to BOS / staff evaluation (planned)

• Focus Groups / qualitative

Formative EvaluationGeography Year 3

Initial response to closed questionsafter a 10 minute overview and demo of DLM

7th February 2012

81 Respondentshttp://learning-maps.ncl.ac.uk

Stage 2:

Stage 3:

The map will help me better understand the Geography curriculum

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

90%

It looks easy to use

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

76%

The map would benefit my learning

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

62%

It is useful to see connections between different modules

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

94%

The maps would have helped me with my module selection

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

83%

Having the map will be useful for reviewing and reflecting on my learning

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

53%

I would find it useful to add personal notes and reflections to the map

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

52%

It is useful having Skills linked into the maps

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

80%

It is useful having Careerslinked into the maps

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

92%

Having the map will be useful for Revision

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

52%

I frequently supplement my learning with external resources on the web

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Somewhat Agree4. Neutral5. Somewhat Disagree6. Disagree7. Strongly Disagree

84%

How often would you envisage using the map (once complete) ?

1. daily2. weekly3. monthly4. never

ConclusionsInitial student reaction was positive:

• Useful to see connections between modules:– Stage 2: 76% Stage 3: 94%

• Could help with module selection: – Stage 2: 74% Stage 3: 83%

• Useful to embed Skills: – Stage 2: 64% Stage 3: 80%

• Useful to embed Careers:– Stage 2: 81% Stage 3: 92%

• Not as interested in use for reflection:– Stage 3 52% Stage 3 53%– Would need a clear purpose (students don’t currently use ePortfolio)

• Limitations of results: needs further evaluation and full piolet

Further Information

• http://learning-maps.ncl.ac.uk

• Simon.Cotterill@ncl.ac.uk