Becoming an OU Tutor in STEM Being an OU Tutor in STEM: Computing and Communications

Part 3 Teaching methods and technologies

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Contents

- 3.1 Introduction

- 3.2 Teaching materials and assessments

- 3.3 Teaching and learning at a distance

- 3.4 Module websites

- 3.5 Asynchronous forums

- 3.6 Tutorials

- 3.6.1 Online tutorials

- 3.6.2 Face-to-face tutorials

- 3.7 Correspondence tuition

- 3.8 Student support

- 3.9 Summary

- Acknowledgements

3.1 Introduction

By Nigel Gibson

The Open University’s mission is based upon open entry; that means that for most degrees there are no formal academic requirements. This means that tutors will be working with students who might not have the academic background needed to enrol at other universities. Many of our students are in work.

In STEM subjects they might be working in the field in which they are studying, so a tutor might be working with students who have a great deal of applied experience of the area being studied, perhaps more than the tutor. This means that the tutor’s “voice” might be different to that of a lecturer at a brick university. Less “Sage on the stage” and more “Guide on the side”

The OU also has a larger proportion of students with disabilities than other universities, and tutors work with people for whom reasonable adjustments must be made in order that they can make best use of your support and the academic materials. These factors are recognised by the teaching materials and methods used and add to the challenges and fascination of working with our students.

This section introduces the OU’s teaching methods and some of the technologies employed to support teaching and learning. Specifically, that is module websites, forums and tutorials, and correspondence tuition. It also discusses how the OU’s modules are designed and delivered, and the wider student support that is available.

3.2 Teaching materials and assessments

The OU’s teaching materials are created centrally by teams of academics. This ensures that each student has access to the same high-quality materials. They are designed to blend a range of activity types, which are detailed below. As you read through the activity types you might reflect on how the delivery modes might be used to support these activities.

The materials are not simply text but include a range of different media; images, audio, animated diagrams and film clips. They include self-assessment questions and quizzes so that learners can assess their own understanding of particular sections.

Assimilative

Attending to information.

Students study and think about theories and concepts encountered in materials and resources, case studies, etc.

Often the first part of a learning cycle where students receive and begin to make sense of new information, before they then apply or test their new knowledge, or go on to reflect, review and communicate their understanding.

For example, read, watch, listen, think about, observe, review, consider, study.

Finding and handling information

Searching for and processing information.

Students are actively and critically engaged in gathering and manipulating information.

Activities might include conducting research, extracting information from databases, analysing information, synthesising data and evaluation.

For example, list, analyse, collate, plot, find, discover, access, use, gather, order, classify, select, assess, manipulate.

Communicative

Discussing module-related content with at least one other person.

Through dialogue, students begin to take a position concerning problems and debates, and internalise complex and interrelated concepts.

Collaboration is a step further where students (and tutors) work together to produce an artefact and through that process make new links and connections in their shared knowledge and understanding.

For example, communicate, debate, discuss, argue, share, report, collaborate, present, describe, question.

Productive

Generating an 'artefact'.

Students apply their knowledge and skills together or alone in order to create a piece of work. This could be a list, a piece of narrative text which answers a question, a reflective account, a report, a video or a presentation etc.

Because something concrete is produced, it can be reviewed, evaluated or assessed, and feedback can be received. It can also be used to support revision and further study.

For example, create, build, write, make, design, construct, contribute, produce, complete, draw, compose, refine, synthesise, remix.

Experiential

Applying learning in a real-world setting.

This activity is most often found in work-based learning or practical science modules. Students are required to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding in a real-world setting.

This does not include role play and simulated scenarios but could include a case study if it is taken from the student's real-world setting. The key is that students receive real-life feedback on the activity, e.g., from customers or clients, work colleagues or the environment and have an opportunity to reflect in context.

For example, practice, apply, mimic, experience, explore, investigate, perform, engage.

Interactive/adaptive

Applying learning in a simulated setting.

'Interactive/adaptive' does not relate to the technology but the student activity itself.

Students apply their knowledge and skills in a simulated setting, receive immediate feedback and are then given the opportunity to adapt their approach.

Activities falling into this category might include role play, problem-based scenarios, simulated case studies and simulated experiments.

For example, explore, experiment, trial, improve, model, simulate.

Assessment

All forms of assessment, whether continuous, end of module or formative.

For example, write, present, report, demonstrate, critique, peer review, self-assess, receive feedback.

The tutor's role is to mediate the student’s engagement with the materials. Many students might be meeting a particular concept for the first time and the tutor is the “subject expert”. Of course, there are areas on which the tutor might not be an expert but there are tutor forums where we share ideas and find an expert view.

At times it is more appropriate to direct a student to our web-based resources aimed at helping them develop their study skills. Tutors can also develop these skills through their approach to marking assignments, which is covered in more detail in Part 5 Correspondence tuition.

3.3 Teaching and learning at a distance

The OU’s model of distance learning is called “Supported open learning” and its four aspects are depicted in the diagram below.

Click or hover over the circles to reveal the definitions.

Interactive content is not available in this format.

The OU delivers “Supported open learning” using a range of online technologies and on some modules, there are also face-to-face tutorials. The following section explains what some of them are and how they are used.

3.4 Module websites

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Students have access to a dedicated website for each module they are studying. In addition to the online materials, this site includes a study calendar with details about module deadlines and an indication of which part of the module is due to be studied during each study period – on level 1 modules this is on a week-by-week basis.

The module website has links to assessments, forums, tutorial details and other resources. Tutors can see the same information as the students they are working with and can offer students links to specific pages in response to queries or to support assignment feedback.

A week on the TM111 study calendar

View description - A week on the TM111 study calendar

An extract from the study calendar for TM352

View description - An extract from the study calendar for TM352

3.5 Asynchronous forums

Most modules have several asynchronous forums to which students have access; in some instances, the forums are moderated by tutors. These forums might be used as noticeboards to inform groups of students about forthcoming learning events – these are tutorials - and to run collaborative activities as directed by the module team.

For example, on a level 1 module, TM111 – Introduction to Computing and IT 1, there are regional forums which are used for collaborative activities – students are encouraged to work together to develop algorithms and implement them. There are often tutor-group forums, a space available only to students in that group, and their tutor. These forums are often used for students to get to know others in their tutor group.

At level 1 these are often geographically based so they might be chatting to people from the same town; informal face-to-face support groups can grow from tutor group forums.

Online forums are a different way of supporting learners and we provide training on how to use them effectively. They are a way in which our students can work collaboratively; employers often look for evidence of group working skills and we can develop and promote them using forums. They also allow students to participate at a time which suits them within a predefined activity window, this works well for people whose work patterns mean that attending synchronous events is not possible.

On many STEM modules, there are module-wide forums offering technical help. These form a resource for tutors as it means that tutors need not be experts on everything but can direct students to peer and expert support.

3.6 Tutorials

OU tutorials are synchronous group events. They are social opportunities for learning and a place where students can meet an academic (and that might be you!). They are also a chance for students to share ideas and experiences with their peers.

Educational theorists, including Vygotsky (1988) and Wenger (1998), emphasise that learning is a social process. There are areas where a student cannot learn alone but needs to learn with a tutor or students with more experience. Tutorials are intended to offer opportunities for students to work with a tutor and other students to deal with areas that might be difficult for some students to learn alone.

They are also where students can share their own experience of distance learning, the challenges they face and discuss how they might overcome them. Frequently the challenges are diminished simply by having a chat and finding out that others are working through the same issues.

3.6.1 Online tutorials

Before the module starts tutors discuss tutorial dates with their line manager. Tutorials are scheduled around key dates in the module and an outline of what is to be covered is given to students, i.e. the tutor will know what areas they should be covering. From there they will use their professional experience to plan activities to engage students and deal with the tricky topics.

Online tutorials can sometimes feel didactic, but Adobe Connect offers a number of tools to make the session interactive as presented by Nigel Gibson in the video below.

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View transcript - Uncaptioned interactive content

3.6.2 Face-to-face tutorials

Many STEM modules offer face-to-face tutorials or day schools. These are an opportunity for students to meet and chat, informally, about their study experience in addition to covering topics from the module. As with online tutorials, details of what will be covered are available to students and they are encouraged to book in advance so that tutors can plan how to use the time and how many students might be expected. Working face-to-face means that students have wider opportunities for peer-engagement and tutors should shape the tutorial to allow students to chat with each other.

You are now going to read a personal insight from Nigel Gibson, a tutor in the School of Computing and Communications, who shares his experience in the role with you.

"In a typical tutorial, I will always start by asking students how their studies are going and whether they have come across anything which surprised them or challenged what they thought they knew about a particular topic. I tend to avoid asking what students found difficult as that is not always something which students will feel comfortable discussing in a group; that’s a one-to-one conversation. Nor do I ask specific students questions about the materials in a group – I might ask if anyone in the group knows the answer, but we don’t put individual students on the spot. As students become more confident and familiar with their peers, they will often share their study difficulties, but this has to be at their pace rather than being forced.

"We might work together to develop an algorithm and a program based on a defined problem. I work on a level 1 computing module so there will be a range of skills represented and this is an opportunity for some collaborative work. I can contribute by nudging or directing as needed.

"I always make sure that there is a break so that students can have a chat without me being involved, they can use a different tone of voice and linguistic style here. We’ll often spend some time talking about broader study skills, again, this is where students can share study strategies. Tutorials are a chance for students to see that they are not the only person struggling with an area of the module and they are where tutors can bring their knowledge and experience into play to illustrate and expand on the concepts under discussion. They are also where tutors can share their own experience of working in industry or as researchers or theoreticians. OU tutors are no more a homogenous group than our students and we bring ourselves to our work as another way of supporting our students. We can use our own experience to link the module concepts to 'real-world' examples."

Tutorials are interactive and inclusive rather than didactic lectures, they recognise the experiences of the students and they are (hopefully!) fun.

3.7 Correspondence tuition

Individual tuition is mainly conducted through assessment and offering feedback on assignments; this is at the core of our teaching and the OU is one of the few universities offering this level of personalised feedback to every student. Tutors mark assignments for students in their group, this is where they help students to develop their academic and professional skills and offer them encouragement.

For each assignment there is a marking guide showing how marks should be allocated for each question and the skills a student needs to demonstrate to gain full marks. Allocating marks is only a small part of this process, the key element is identifying good work and discussing areas where an answer might be improved.

Tutors are given guidance on how to give effective feedback and assignment marking is monitored by other tutors, i.e. a sample is taken for each tutor on each assignment and it is checked by another tutor on the same module. This is where tutors use their professional experience to highlight the important feedback and direct students to the appropriate sections of the module materials or elsewhere to develop their skills.

Assessment is dealt with in more detail in Part 5 Correspondence tuition.

The other ways in which tutors might be involved in individual tuition include emails and phone calls. Students might contact tutors with queries about the materials or university processes. It is important to let students know when they can call – they might be studying at 03:00 while their tutor might not be at their best – but having a chat is often an easier way to deal with study problems than an exchange of emails.

If a student needs a more structured support session this can be arranged, and the tutor will be paid for their time. A student can request this additional session, or the tutor might recommend it.

3.8 Student support

OU tutors work with a wide range of adult learners and, sometimes, these learners face challenges that are not related to the academic content of the module. The university has a matrix-accredited student support service to address any queries that are outside a tutor’s area of competence; degree planning, careers advice or studying with a disability for example.

The matrix Standard

The matrix Standard is an international quality standard for the provision of information, advice and guidance. You can find out more on the matrix Standard website.

There is a simple process for referring students who need some help. While they are often the first port of call tutors are not expected to be able to deal with everything, there are specialists who will pick up on these things; tutors are part of the wider team and may be able to identify problems that a student is not aware of.

Activity 1

Now reflect on how the “Supported open learning” principles apply to your current practice.

Make a post in the discussion forum which briefly compares your current work with the “Supported open learning” principles:

- Do you already follow any of the principles?

- Are there any aspects which you do not currently adopt? This might be because of the nature of the learners you work with or other reasons.

Read through other contributions and comment on at least two.

Look for similarities and differences between your response and those of others.

Use this activity to consider how your current experience might prepare you for work as an OU tutor.

3.9 Summary

In Part 3 you have learned about how the OU designs and develops module learning materials and the role of the tutor in mediating students’ engagement with these materials. We have considered some of the technologies and methodologies that are used to support and develop our students and some of the underpinning pedagogies.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the importance of the tutor and the key part they play in delivering our teaching and learning. You should also understand something of who our students are and how we support them.

Go to Part 4 of the course, Teaching in Computing and Communications, where you are introduced to the School of Computing & Communications, the modules that we offer and some of the module materials. This is an opportunity to consider which modules might interest you and how your skills and interests might fit in the tutor role.

Acknowledgements

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A week on the TM111 study calendar

Description
A screenshot showing a list of activities for week 15. Read part one and work through the accompanying online activities for week 15. ICMA 43. Block 3 connecting people, places and things.
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An extract from the study calendar for TM352

Description
A screenshot showing a list of activities on the study calendar for week 14 to 15. Block 2 Part 4 Amazon web services. TM352 Block 2 discussion forum. TM352 block 2 software support forum. Practice quiz on open stack and AWS.
Back to - An extract from the study calendar for TM352

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Transcript

NARRATOR

When you start studying with The Open University, you can usually access your module website a couple of weeks before you need to start studying. All you need is a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone and internet access. Once you're on the website, you can start working through your study materials and contact your tutor. You can watch videos, complete quizzes, and take part in discussion forums and online tutorials.

Your study planner gives you a step-by-step guide through your studies. It can also tell you if you've got an assignment or a tutorial coming up. And by tracking your progress, you can decide what you need to prioritise and focus on next. All our modules are structured to prepare for your assessments. You can access all the important information, including your grades, whenever you want.

You can also take part in the Community and Module forums, which are a really important part of your studies. And here, you'll be able to talk with your tutor and other students and find support if you need it. And finally, your online materials are available in a range of different formats which you can download onto your devices. So you can study when you're on the go. Welcome to your module website. It's with you every step of the way.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The Study Planner is your week-by-week guide to studying the module. Online study materials and activities that are specific to particular weeks are listed in this study planner. At the top of the study planner, you can switch between viewing just the current weeks or the entire planner, showing all the weeks in the module. The current week is always highlighted.

Use the Expand and Collapse arrows to customise the weeks you see. You can also use the Expand Collapse All tab at the top of the study planner. If you scroll down to the bottom, you'll find options to export or print the study planner. Most items have progress tick boxes so that you can mark your progress through the module by ticking off the materials and activities as you complete them. Doing this will update the progress bar at the top of the study planner, showing at a quick glance how far through the module you have come or highlighting any studying you might have missed.

Hovering your mouse over a particular part of the progress bar will show you the item that part of the bar relates to. Note the blue help box with the question mark. You can click on this for help and information. These help boxes are found in several places throughout your module website should you need them.

If you are studying using a smaller monitor or mobile device, your module website may appear slightly differently. No information is lost, but items might have moved or might be found within a new menu if not located as expected. You can find information about your tutor and a link to contact them to the right of your study planner.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The Forums page holds all of your module forums, including those within the study planner, and can be accessed via the navigation menu. The table at the top of the page lists any website forum not found in the study planner. The table will show when the last post to a forum was and if there are any new posts or messages. When a forum has new posts or messages you haven't read, this is shown using an envelope icon next to the forum title.

The forums in the planner table lists any forum that is also in the study planner as well as its location within the planner. On the right-hand side of the page, the Edit Settings option allows you to set your preferences for email notifications from forums to which you have subscribed. The Online Appearance link enables you to edit your profile.

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Transcript

NIGEL GIBSON

Hi, my name is Nigel Gibson. And the purpose of this brief video is to introduce Adobe Connect. I'll demonstrate some of the functionality and help you start thinking about how you might use this tool in working with our students. I'm going to start by looking at the layout.

The layout can be changed to suit how you plan to work. Each element is referred to as a pod. And pods can be hidden or displayed as needed. We generally show the attendees pod so that people can see who's in the room. And below it is the chat pod where participants can offer feedback and can interact with each other, as well as with the presenter.

Now we're going to look at how we use pods. Pods can hold a range of types of content. This presentation is in a pod. I can launch another pod containing an MP3 and replay that as often as possible, as necessary.

This MP4 doesn't have any sound on it. So, I can narrate it as I use it, but, obviously, I could record one with sound and play that if I wished. So, this is a wee bit of programming on one of the first-level computing courses.

When that's finished, I'm going to hide that pod and go back to the original. They can use polling tools to ask for feedback and for some interactivity and, also, to monitor progress. We can share files or web links.

I can share my PC desktop or a view of an application. We can use a mix of media. So, they don't need to just be text-heavy slides. And we can ask for interaction.

This isn't just a broadcast tool. Participants can use the chat area. They can speak using their microphones. We can convert the central area into a whiteboard on which they can write. And we can use quizzes and polls.

We can set up breakout rooms, as many as you might wish, where we can split participants into smaller groups. Each group can then share their own space to work together. We can give them a whiteboard to draw on or a resource to discuss. Participants can use audio or the chat pod. We can bring people back together for a plenary session and, also, bring back the resources they've been using.

So that was a fast pass-over Adobe Connect. And this video was recorded in Adobe Connect. I hope you found it useful.

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