Louise and I have developed some ideas and worked out a number of strategies as regards to the "Essay Writing" module we had chosen. We have included a number of significant screenshots to demonstrate the sequential nature of the essay writing process. Our responses are found following the screenshots.












How useful is the module for your work situation? Explain why it is or isn't, and how you would use it?

The module is very useful for essay writing for beginning students in the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Although some students are school leavers, many mature students have not written a formal essay before or not for many years. Within this group of students are a wide range of abilities and learning styles which the OIL module addresses effectively. The helpful guide takes the writer through all steps of the process from the instruction words that direct the writer to what is required of them to the final summary and conclusion of the process.

Each activity required in the process is identified for example, instruction, content and relationship words directing the writer as to how to identify the ‘how what and why’ of writing the essay.
As we teach and nurture students in essay writing at the beginning of the Bachelor of Nursing programme, the OIL module is extremely helpful and completely user friendly. The module reinforces the steps in the essay writing process and gives quite clear descriptions and prompts when the responder has identified the correct response to questions e.g. “Identify the instruction words in the topic. Click on them and if you are correct they will highlight”. The word then changes colour to identify a correct answer. There is immediate re-enforcement of correct learning.

Comment on the look and feel of the module and how 'fit for purpose', or not it is.

The module is entirely user friendly – colourful, well signposted, each signpost has navigational Properties to expound further the instruction that it describes. It fits the purpose extremely well of introducing the essay writing process to a new writer clearly.

What sort of changes would you make if customising the module?

The module comprises quite extensive reading and students notoriously don’t want to read and review lengthy instructions and materials. A suggestion would be to shorten the amount of information included and reduce the number of pages required to be read.

Why is evaluation important and how do you define it?

Evaluation requires deciding on the purpose of the evaluation and can involve the following questions and responding appropriately:


Activities in the evaluation process require one to evaluate the design of the module which must include:
1. clear instructions as to what to do and how to navigate and use the course tools and materials e.g. a site map and online support.
2. meaningful and engaging activities that will require interaction such as games.
3. minimise the amount of text information that the student must work through to achieve their learning goals.

The design in this instance requires the learner to work alone and therefore must be explicit to avoid poor understanding and an inability to achieve learning goal. The essay writing OIL module meets all of these requirements.
Which two E-learning Guidelines suit your context?


We have chosen the learner centred and teaching relationships.

We do believe that constructive learning relationships with learners is an important component of effective learner centred learning. I remember from my classes that teachers who constructed a positive learning relationship in a welcoming learning environment induced positive learning and a desire to learn more about the topic. Conversely, the opposite is applied when the teacher who was not learner friendly. I can simply formulate the following:
You love the teacher; you love their topic/subject.

What I mean by “love and positive learning relationship in a welcoming learning environment” is the following:1. Teachers accepting students for who they are

2. Teachers making lessons fun

3. Teachers having a sense of humor and friendly attitudes

4. Teachers having a thorough grounding in their topic

5. Teachers being able to teach effectively rather than talking needlessly

6. Teachers understanding learner needs and requirements

7. Teachers encouraging students to answer questions

8. Teachers being humble and honest

9. Teachers being able to guide and advise

10. Teachers being able to communicate with learners effectively

11. Teachers being able to include all students in meaningful learning activities

12. Teachers being learning counselors

13. Teachers being able to enhance equality and eliminate discrimination in the class

14. Teachers being able to enhance confidence

15. Teachers being able to play a role model

16. Teachers being able to be there for students

I had a friend and he truly believed that "Good teachers are God's greatest messengers".

 



Tell us how the “evaluate this” exercise went from your perspective?

We believe that the exercise (particularly from the taster) gave us insight into the evaluation process and into the depth of thought required involved.
It was interesting to identify the questions to be asked and to recognize the difference between “formative and summative” evaluation processes.