Two clear points appear from the findings. Students need clear information about the Elluminate sessions and how to use the technology. For first time users, and in particular first year students, Elluminate can appear daunting for some, but not for all students. Instruction in the form of a demonstration session, as has been used and advocated by one of the staff using the environment is recommended. This was scheduled in ‘O' week and well attended by students. The second point is that student's confidence is developed by lecturers who are experienced with the environment and develop interactive classes that are engaging. Clearly there is a need for staff development in this area to ensure staff are comfortable with the technology in the first instance, but also that they have integrated the technology into their teaching materials in a way that is inclusive of the students' needs.
Roger Cook on 18 Oct 12Seems to mirror the approach LDs take to academic development. Steel, Caroline and Andrews, Trish (2012). Re-imagining teaching for technology - Enriched learning spaces: An academic development model. In Mike Keppell, Kay Souter and Matthew Riddle (Ed.), Physical and Virtual Learning Spaces in Higher Education: Concepts for the Modern Learning Environment (pp. 242-265) Hershey, PA, U.S.A.: Information Science Reference.
