Feeding & Captivating OU students

Tim Wales, Learning & Teaching Librarian Team Leader (OUBS & Technology), 29th June 2007

Feeding...

They’re doing it...

We’re doing it in public (a bit)

(And in private a lot more)

Old dog - ROUTES

Moodle VLE RSS feed import

New tricks – ROUTES RSS feed

New tricks – ROUTES RSS feed

Finance course Moodle VLE website

Library Resources RSS Feed tool

ICT course Moodle VLE website

Who should use it for what?Is it a real-time feed?

Does it actually save us time?

Some RSS Issues

Is it comprehensive?Do users want it?Do we still need a Library website?

Library branded?

Captivating...

Background• Online tutorials for searching OPAC demoed at BBSLG

2004 Conference by Northumbria University– produced with TechSmith Camtasia Studio software

• OU Library pilot project 2004-05 to test screen capture software on a management literature search tutorial for a new capstone MBA course– produced with Macromedia Captivate software

• Library produced ICT version for Technology in 2006-07• Management tutorial now being updated for Nov 2007

Pilot version demo

Lessons from pilot version• Audio commentary time-consuming and tricky to create

& modify, annoying to listen to (and superfluous?)• Tutorial needs to be produced by librarians not “techies”• Detailed storyboarding may help reduce production time• Use of templates should reduce “production fiddling”• More interactive elements required to engage student• Chunking content into discrete sections facilitates reuse

from Library perspective• Wasn’t really integrated into target course

ICT version 2006/07• Library contracted to produce an online literature search

tutorial for new courses in Technology ICT Programme• Library charged £3500 for the job• Produced by members of Business, Law & Technology

team in Library with OU advice on accessibility issues• Took 6 months to complete working part-time or 100

production hours• Includes activities and self-assessment quizzes

ICT tutorial production process1. Outline structure and broad content agreed with course

team chairs

2. Storyboards created in Powerpoint for each section

3. Drafts shared with course teams via Wiki & FirstClass

4. Storyboards converted into Captivate outputs

5. Flash outputs tested on various PCs and proof-read

6. Final versions uploaded to Technology Information Search Guide and course VLE website

7. Ongoing feedback from users

Issues (1)• Software not as flexible as anticipated:

– Powerpoint import limited = copy & paste instead– Resizing screen size not automatic = hand-crafting– Accessibility limited

• Unresolved output issues on some user PCs:– Tutorial automatically fast-forwards to end– Text displays inconsistently– Buttons and quiz elements do not always work

Issues (2)• What content goes where and where should this be

hosted?– Information Search Guide v Library websites v course

websites v tutorial• Difficult to get pacing right and students don’t notice the

control buttons• Difficult to convey “dry” topics visually

Positives• Good team project, work valued by Technology• Powerpoint storyboarding helps conceptualise for screen• Forces consideration of how students learn• Opportunity to address new technologies and hot topics

and also offer additional support to resources• Easier to update than pilot version as no commentary• Flexible delivery options e.g. zipped offline version• More engaging approach to user education (esp. for

librarians!) than textual approaches alone

ICT tutorial demo

Questions or comments?