Digital resources are meant to be reused... this time, at FH Joanneum in Austria!

We are delighted to announce that the digital learning materials created by Dr. Delia Dumitrica (Media & Communication) and Dr. Naomi Oosterman (Arts & Culture) are now being reused by Prof. Dr. Maja Pivec at the Institute of Design and Communication at FH Joanneum in Austria. Prof. Pivec is trying out three of these materials in her course Research and Knowledge. Around 57 students in their 4th semester of the BA program Information Design Information design are currently working with them to learn about ethnographic fieldwork, rhetorical analysis, and qualitative content analysis. Prof. Dr Maja Pivec explains:

“When I saw at the EDULEARN23 conference the information about the digital modules I thought, these are exactly the research methods our students would benefit from when doing research on a given topic during their studies, and especially when they work on their bachelor thesis. I was also impressed by the step-by-step structure of the modules and the combination of applied media, as it seemed perfect for the target group”.

The student perspective on learning with and from digital resources

October, 2023

How do our students see the impact of digital resources on their learning process? How can such digital resources alleviate various learning-related anxieties that students experience?

On October 24, 2023, Dr. Delia Dumitrica presented the student perspective on learning with digital resources during the CLI Network Event at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Focus group data showed that well designed and well implemented digital resources are widely appreciated by students, particularly when these students come from diverse educational backgrounds. However, digital resources also introduce their own tensions, as students often worry about becoming visible to peers and faculty members when participating online.

Blending digital resources into courses and study programs: A JoVE webinar

On the 28th of September, Dr. Delia Dumitrica (Media & Communication) spoke at the webinar “Unlocking the Future of Learning”, organized by the educational company JoVe. The webinar focused on harnessing the power of hybrid education via the design and implementation of digital resources. In her presentation, Dr. Dumitrica explained the instructional principles behind designing and implementing successful digital educational resources. The session offered valuable insights into the challenges faced in blending such digital educational resources into courses and study programs, as well as the into the student perception of their learning potential. The webinar can be watched here.

Showcasing ESHCC educational innovation at EDULEARN23

July, 2023

At ESHCC, undergraduate and graduate students have been using digital modules designed to refresh and improve qualitative analysis knowledge and skill for the past three years. These modules have been developed by Dr. Delia Dumitrica (Media & Communication) and Dr. Naomi Oosterman (Arts & Culture) through a 2021 Comenius Senior Fellowship and with additional support from the Community for Learning and Innovation. Preliminary research suggests ESHCC students find these modules helpful in clearing doubts and cementing knowledge; in increasing self-regulation; and, in providing a learning environment focused on ‘learning how to learn’.

Such digital modules can be easily reused in other courses and other programs, something that the two project leaders are keen to encourage. For this reason, Dr. Dumitrica and Dr. Oosterman presented the modules during EDULEARN23 – The 15th International Conference on Education and new Learning Technologies which took place July 3-5, 2023 in Palma, Spain. The conference brought together over 600 participants from around the world interested in educational innovation. Colleagues from various countries took an interest in the modules, spurring challenging conversations on how they could be best integrated in higher education institutions.

Digital Learning Objects find lots of interest in Groningen Qualitative Research Conference

June, 2023

On May 26th, 2023, the team attended the Qualitative Research Conference at Groningen University. During this conference, they presented a poster about the learning goals and design principles of the Digital Learning Objects (DLOs). Several conference participants expressed interest in the possible reuse of the modules. This was a good opportunity for sharing resources and discussing the role of online learning environments.

Project assistant Myrthe Fransen was positive about the open and enjoyable atmosphere at the conference: “I spoke to so many different people, all from different academic backgrounds and with varying levels of experience. Everyone had an open and inviting attitude which allowed us to have great conversations about qualitative research methods.”

Four pedagogical principles for designing digital learning objects

February, 2023

On February 3, 2023, Dr. Delia Dumitrica talked about the principles that have informed the development of the digital learning objects (DLOs) for teaching and learning qualitative analysis methods during the NeFCA Educational Network session at ETMAAL 2023IL.

For DLOs to offer a well-rounded learning experience for students, it is crucial that the goal behind their creation is clear. What do educators want these DLOs to provide? How do they see them connected to the learning objectives of their courses?

Our DLOs were designed with three goals in mind: they had to blend knowledge with practical application; they have to offer a learning experience that was not dependent on instructor feedback; and, they had to fit within the different stages of the educational program. We translated these objectives in four design principles:

Incremental scaffolding

Our DLOs move students from knowledge acquisition to application of that knowledge in practice and further reflection on the process.

Simple and concise knowledge

Our DLOs were carefully designed so that all of their components fit the practices and affordances of digital environments. For example, our in-house produced readings were broken-down into smaller chunks of text, and accompanied by professionally designed illustrations.

Interaction and practical learning

Our DLOs offer students a chance to apply knowledge by analyzing a snippet of data, then show how experts would do the same analysis. In the process, the blackbox of analysis is opened up, as experts explain their reasons for making certain choices during the analysis process.

Reflexivity

Our DLOs foster comparisons to encourage students to reflect on the process of analysis.

Self-paced student learning: Digital resources for MA students

December, 2022

Since December 2022, MA students in Media & Communication and Arts & Culture can use self-study resources to learn and practice with qualitative research.

Part of a Comenius Senior Fellowship ran by Dr. Delia Dumitrica (M&C) and Dr. Naomi Oosterman (A&C), these learning resources capitalize on digital affordances to help students improve their understanding of QA methods in their learning trajectory.

As they are about to begin their thesis proposals, MA students working with qualitative research methods can use these resources in a dedicated Canvas environment. Each resource is designed to offer a well-rounded learning experience that includes feedback from experienced researchers.

Two layers of difficulty meant to scaffold methodological knowledge and skill are available for each method. Students must first take the ‘easy’ level before advancing to the ‘intermediate’ one. At a later stage in the MA programs, an ‘advanced’ level will be made available in the Canvas environment.

Dr. Delia Dumitrica explains the intent behind this layered approach:

Learning is not a static, one-course only process. Our students learn about methods in mandatory methodological courses, but also when working on a course project. Level 1 and 2 introduce students to the toolbox of the method and the main dilemmas researchers using the method encounter. Level 3, which opens up around the time students engage in their own research projects, reminds them of the importance of reflexivity in qualitative research.

Claudia Hernandez Esponda, herself an MA student in Arts & Culture and a student assistant for this project, explains what she found most interesting about working on the development of these modules:

One of the things I enjoyed the most is that it allowed me to hear the experts speak about their research in detail. The enthusiasm for their work is contagious and it helped me expand my perspective on the different possibilities in qualitative research.

ESHCC showcases innovative DLOs for qualitative research learning at the Comenius Connect & Create 2022 Festival

September, 2022

During the Connect & Create event organized by the Comenius Network, Dr. Naomi Oosterman showcased the team's digital learning objects for learning qualitative research.

With a focus on ‘making’, the Connect & Create event invited the members of the Comenius Network to illustrate their educational innovation projects and explore their use for the benefit of the learning process of students.

Dr. Naomi Oosterman showcased the digital learning modules for the teaching and learning of qualitative analysis developed at ESHCC. The project aims to support students in their learning journey of qualitative research methods through self-guided study materials that combine knowledge acquisition, learning-by-doing, expert feedback, and self-reflection.

Advantages and limitations of digital learning objects: the student perspective

September, 2022

Teaching qualitative research is often hampered by student uncertainties around how to apply methodological knowledge in practice. At the Erasmus School of History, Culture, and Communication (ESHCC), we are addressing this with the help of digital learning objects (DLOs) for teaching and learning about qualitative research.

We have developed, implemented, and assessed a set of DLOs covering the six most common methods of qualitative analysis in our field, integrating them within the undergraduate mandatory methodological course.

Our research focused on the student perspective of the advantages and disadvantages of these DLOs. Findings suggest our recipe for scaffolding knowledge acquisition and practical skills was largely successful, as students found DLOs helpful in clearing doubts and cementing knowledge.

DLOs can motivate students by increasing self-regulation and by providing a new learning environment showcasing “learning how to learn.” However, educators are also advised to also consider potential limitations of DLOs, such as new anxieties created by dealing with this type of learning resources and the pressures on the lecture/ tutorial brought about by the DLOs.

Showcasing ESHCC educational innovation at the Comenius Festival 2022

May, 2022

Educational innovation undertaken by Dr. Delia Dumitrica (Media & Communication) and Dr. Naomi Oosterman (Arts & Culture) was recently showcased at the Comenius Festival 2022 in Nieuwegein.

Under the banner 'The rocky road to innovation in higher education', the festival brought together the latest teaching and learning projects developed by members of the Comenius Network for educational innovation in and of higher education in the Netherlands.

On behalf of the team, Dr. Dumitrica showcased the digital learning modules for the teaching and learning of qualitative analysis developed at ESHCC.

The educational innovation twill provide students with self-guided study materials that combine knowledge acquisition, learning-by-doing, expert feedback, and self-reflection. Furthermore, for each of the eight methods of qualitative analysis covered by the project, learning can take place incrementally during a program of study, as students can navigate between different difficulty levels.

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