Creating interdisciplinary online
learning resources in Research
Methods
Learning at Lunch session 16th June 2020
Fran Hooley
Session Objectives
1. Describe the Features of Reusable Research Methods learning
materials
2. Explore some sustainable, collaborative and agile approaches to
support teaching
3. Investigate different tools and techniques to support a variety of
learners
4. Locate supporting materials and examples of technology
Findings so far…
• Reduce time in the classroom as much as possible
• Reduce the number of duplicated units
• Have one version of the truth & keep it up to date • Accommodate a variety of student needs
• Encourage self-led learning and make some content available during the
main programme of study (self-test diagnostic)
• Reduce cognitive overload and support strategies to reduce maths /
Milestone Plan
Component Kick Off Testing Launch
Introduction to Machine Learning Jan 2020 Sep 2020 Nov 2020
Introduction to Statistics May 2020 Sep 2020 Nov 2020
Introduction to Programming
(Python) Jun 2020 Sep 2020 Nov 2020
Defining & Designing your study Aug 2020 Feb 2021 Mar 2021
Dissertation Skills Sep 2020 Mar 2021 May 2021
Qualitative Methods Mar 2021 Sep 2021 Nov 2021
Advanced Biostatistics May 2021 Nov 2021 Jan 2022
Experimental Design Aug 2021 Jan 2022 Mar 2022
Programmes trialling the new Statistics
material
Programme Owner Number of Students (approx.)
MRes CVHD, MRes CVS BHF, MRes Experimental
Medicine Mark Dilworth 70
MRes TERM Stephen Richardson 18
MREs Translational Medicine Janine Lamb 18
Cancer, Biology and Radiotherapy Physics Michael Taylor 18
MRes Infection Biology Margherita Bertuzzi/ Lily Novak Frazer 10
STP Programmes:
MSc Clinical Science (Blood Sciences) MSc Clinical Science (Genomic Sciences) MSc Clinical Science (Clinical Bioinformatics) MSc Clinical Science (Neurosensory Sciences) MSc Clinical Science (Clinical Pharmaceutical Science)
Helen Jopling Phil MacDonald Emma Jenkinson Nick Barnes
Kai Uus Garreth Prendergast
Reusability Challenges
Lots of issues to consider! Including:
• Granularity of learning objects
• Sequence of materials
• Audience requirements
• Pedagogical underpinnings
• Searchable
• Contribution across disciplines
• Maintainable
© 24 May 2013 David Wiley. The Reusability Paradox https://cnx.org/contents/2tQZVsKy@19/The-Reusability-Paradox
Features of Reusable Research
Methods learning materials
Features
Practical and authentic problem-solving asynchronous online learning Pedagogy-First Collaborative design & development Reusable & Flexible Sustainable and content-managedPractical, Authentic & Problem-solving
G.A.IS.E 2016 (ASA) - six recommendations:
1. Teach statistical thinking
2. Focus on conceptual understanding
3. Integrate real data with a context and a purpose
4. Foster active learning
5. Use technology to explore concepts and analyse data
6. Use assessments to improve and evaluate student learning
Producers
Statistical methods
Consumers
Statistical literacy
Asynchronous & Online
• Routes signposted for different levels
• Content clearly states learning objectives & duration
• Content marked with review dates & owner
Basic
Intermediate Advanced
Pedagogical underpinnings
Laurillard, D (2012) Design Science: Building pedagogical patterns for learning and technology
Collaboration
Acquisition Investigation Discussion Practice Production
Learning materials aligned to Laurillard’s 6 activities - check the mix of activities are appropriate to learning objectives and for audience
Collaborative Approach
Subject matter experts collectively co-design & develop each five
credit component for own disciplines. Content Lead
oversees QA.
Ever-changing group
provided by SME’s for
each five credit. Supplied by Subject matter experts managed
by RM Team
Research Methods Team
Content Hub Student network
Content Lead Unit Lead Learning Technologist(s) Domain Owners Content Owners
Provide tools, platforms and guidance, creates templates &
support, manages content management review process and creates content with content hub
Owns evaluation process and manages Student network. Owns
formative assessment & creates summative assessment templates
Content Lead Content Owners Domain Owners
Content Owner Hub
Interested in the content creation for students. Provide student names for feedback and they feedback on
materials. If they have bespoke
content then they become a content owner
Role profile – provides QA, leads a collaborative team of authors
Works in partnership with the RM team Oversees the ownership of content
Works with Content Lead to create
shared content & owns material review. RM Team provide support and guidance
Research Methods Team
• Project management
• Provide tools, platforms and guidance
• Create templates & support
• Manages content management review process
• Creates content with content hub
• Evaluation process and mechanisms including
Student network
• Formative Assessments & Template for
Student Network
• Ever-changing membership
• Content Owners & Domain Owners provide names
• Testing new content
• Providing user stories
• Feedback on existing materials
Learning Component Wrapper No credits 5 Credits Assessment (Programme-specific) RLO Inform Do Apply Evaluate RLO Inform Do Apply Evaluate RLO Inform Do Apply Evaluate
…
…
…
…
NarrativeFormative assessment & feedback / reflective activity
Five Credit Component Model
Basic
Intermediate
Reusability Strategy
Created by
Content “hub”
Build in variations / pathways from beginning
If need additional topics then can still be added into Community Space & categorised
Bb Community Space Defining & Designing your study 5 credit Dissertation Skills 5 credit Qualitative Methods 5 credit Exp. Study Designs 5 credit Introduction to Programming (R & Python) 5 credit Foundations of Machine Learning 5 credit Advanced Biostatistics 5 credit Intro to Statistics 5 credit Introduction to Programming Additional topics
Significantly bespoke with different narrative
Using templates & getting support then you must be in Content hub
If not in hub then you create you own narrative and link to generic
Dissertation Skills 5 credit Qualitative Methods 5 credit Advanced Biostatistics 5 credit Increasing Specificity
Content Managed & Sustainable
Content labelled with Content Owner
Publish & review date on the content
Dates staggered across dates for content hub to manage
SharePoint library – back end
How - Tools - Rise
Articulate Storyline
• Collaborative content
creation
• Reuse blocks of content
• Responsive design
• Seat to create additional
materials for discipline-specific materials
Jupyter Notebooks
Cells allow coding and text (mark down) so learning materials sit next to coding making a more
interactive learning experience
Notebook features include:
• Grading
• Hide & reveal answers
• Interactive widgets such
Platforms supporting Jupyter Notebooks
eLab
• Facilitated teaching for “Producers”
• Project-based learning
• Secure platform to use different data
• Virtual Learning Environment – Sites self-contained Wikis,
Jupyter Hub, data source
AWS-only
• Self-led learning for “Consumers”
• Individual study to be used any time
• With Git Hub Classroom – group-based facilitated learning
for “Producers”
• Standard datasets
Research Methods
Interested in getting involved?
MS Teams space for the project
PGT Community Space for materials
Join the
