Poster 3

Gloria Gomez
Oceanbrowser Ltd and The University of Sydney

Rea Daellenbach
Ara Institute of Canterbury

Mary Kensington
Ara Institute of Canterbury

Lorna Davies
Ara Institute of Canterbury

Con Petsogolou
The University of Sydney

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Tuesday 5 December 3pm – 3.45pm
Refectory

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Abstract

This poster evaluates the benefits of using OB3 – a technology enhancing the online study experience. Its development was undertaken using human-centred design methods, and informed by research on 1) educational design for academic success, 2) good visual design that facilitates learning and is cognitively effective, and 3) networked learning. OB3 has features enabling lecturers, students, and administrative staff to author, create, share, and discuss media-rich study documents. All these activities are undertaken without the direct support of technologists.

One postgraduate medical programme has used OB3 for six years, and one three-year undergraduate midwifery programme has used it for four years. An evaluation of their online study activities showed a number of benefits including:

• Co-constructivist and personalised learning is supported as part of blended learning models.
• The media-rich documents, most times with embedded discussions, take the form of curriculum content or student assignments, and are created as part of asynchronous collaborative activities such as wiki-style co-written documents, templated-group activities, e-portfolios, and group projects.
• Lecturers and students consider that the technology affords study that is engaging, flexible, and helps in overcoming isolation.

The benefits of using OB3 for online study were qualified using the Creative Classroom Framework, the NMC Horizon Report Education, and the Australia and New Zealand Technology Outlooks Reports. Innovative pedagogical practices emerged when it enabled lecturers and students to author and co-create study content by themselves. Significant challenges in the adoption of higher education technology could also be addressed such as rethinking the role of educators and improving digital literacy.

About the authors

Gloria Gomez

Dr Gloria Gomez is co-founder, design strategist, researcher at OceanBrowser Ltd and an honorary senior lecturer at the Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney. Gloria undertakes applied design research in educational practice with Bridging Design Prototypes. Her contributions to educational practice inform research and development of new concept products for preschool concept mapping, online medical study, and the transition to early algebra. Her work promotes cutting edge research that enables the emergence of innovative areas of practice within early childhood and online education. In parallel, Gloria undertakes research through teaching and supervision in the areas of visual design, social design, inclusive design, and online medical education.

Rea Daellenbach

Rea Daellenbach is a senior lecturer in the Bachelor of Midwifery programme at the Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. Rea completed a PhD in sociology (University of Canterbury) in 1999. Since completing her PhD, she has been part of several research teams looking at various aspects of midwifery practice, midwifery education and women’s experiences of childbirth. She was a co-editor, with Lorna Davies and Mary Kensington, of the book Sustainability, Midwifery & Birth (2011, Routledge). Her education research focus has been on blended learning for pre-registration midwifery education.

Lorna Davies

Lorna Davies RN, RM, BSc (Hons), PGCEA, MA, PhD Candidate, is currently a Principal Lecturer and Co-Head of the School of Midwifery at Ara Institute of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. She also carries a small caseload as a self-employed midwife. She has recently submitted her PhD thesis exploring midwives understanding and application of sustainability within their practice. She has been a co-researcher on a number of studies including an international research project exploring rural midwifery practice in New Zealand and Scotland. She has edited and co-edited four midwifery textbooks, has contributed chapter to several others and has written many articles relating to midwifery research and practice. Her education research focus has been on embedding sustainability within midwifery programmes of education and blended learning for pre-registration midwifery education. Her research interests are sustainability, midwifery education, Participatory Action Research and Actor Network Theory.

Con Petsogolou

Dr Con Petsogolou is a Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Clinical Ophthalmology for the University of Sydney, and Clinical Senior Lecturer for the University of Otago. He is a corneal consultant at the Cornea Unit Sydney Eye Hospital and Deputy Director of the Lions NSW Eye Bank. His current research interests are in corneal clinical trials medical education and eye bank research.