Hi5 e-learning Awards

Title of Submission: Metropolis Blog
Category: Supporting Students and Learning


I am entering this blog for the Hi5 e-learning awards:

This year I experimented by using blogs as a teaching and learning tool. I set up my own blog and then asked students to do the same, linking theirs to mine.This meant I could track their posts and vice versa, but most importantly, they could see each others' progress and make comments. I isolated this experiment to National Diploma Year 2 Art & Design students and one project they were set with the theme 'Metropolis.' I was able to upload learning materials such as video clips, sounds and images in preparation for our lessons, monitor students between sessions and keep in touch with those who were absent using the blog. I was observed by an Ofsted inspector, when using the blog in a session, who commended this emphasis on inclusivity. I  filmed some group activities and photographed art work in progress and posted it to celebrate the students achievements. In fact, the banner is a student's painting from the project.

The students used their blogs in different ways and some are continuing to use them (click on the links on the right.) Indeed, some students have improved their grades since starting their blogs, they have found it preferable to record, critique and evalaute their work online. The notion of a blog publicly exposing their artwork, and the understanding that the blogs can be used for assessment evidence, reallyengaged the students. The group have also been able to print less images, reducing costs and wastage.

There were pitfalls, of course; still required to keep a journal for their coursework, some students felt stretched across two mediums of recording. The Course Leader addressed this by agreeing that they could keep one or the other, hence some blogs continuing beyond the parameters of the project and others not. The staff team are excited by my findings and have agreed that all art and design students will start a learning blog in September, which will be linked to Moodle. Watch this space!

Hannah James, Art & Design, Abingdon & Witney College