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Faculty time constraints when Faculty time constraints when using a Web-based course using a Web-based course management environmentmanagement environment

Gerard J. Gervedink Nijhuis MSc.Gerard J. Gervedink Nijhuis MSc.

gervedink@edte.utwente.nl gervedink@edte.utwente.nl

University of TwenteUniversity of Twente

Faculty of Educational Science and TechnologyFaculty of Educational Science and Technology

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OverviewOverview

TeleTOPTeleTOP,, a Web-based course a Web-based course management management system system

teaching-related activities by teaching-related activities by instructorsinstructors

3 methods to analyse time usage3 methods to analyse time usage conclusionsconclusions discussiondiscussion

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TeleTOP environmentTeleTOP environment

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Roster sub-itemRoster sub-item

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Instructor activitiesInstructor activities

Direct interaction Direct interaction (lecture, practice, meeting)(lecture, practice, meeting)

Teaching-related activities Teaching-related activities (planning, preparing)(planning, preparing)

Teaching-related activities using Teaching-related activities using TeleTOPTeleTOP– prepare a course prepare a course (info, roster, content)(info, roster, content)

– add attachments add attachments (articles, URL’s)(articles, URL’s)

– add news, slides, feedback, marksadd news, slides, feedback, marks– use e-mail, discussionuse e-mail, discussion– ……..and more..and more

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AnalysisAnalysis

Observing and video: too much Observing and video: too much burdenburden

Activities: interviews and Activities: interviews and questionnairequestionnaire

time measuring: log file analysistime measuring: log file analysis time estimates: TeleTOP analysistime estimates: TeleTOP analysis

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Interviews /questionnaireInterviews /questionnaire

6 interviews 6 interviews (5 TO, 1 EL)(5 TO, 1 EL)

cardsorting to analyse activitiescardsorting to analyse activities results varyresults vary

– type of coursetype of course– organization of workorganization of work– in- or out-of-classin- or out-of-class– time availabletime available

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Categories of activitiesCategories of activities

Preparing a coursePreparing a course Handling resourcesHandling resources Sessions supportSessions support FeedbackFeedback AdministrationAdministration AssignmentsAssignments ExaminationsExaminations

Session / lectureSession / lecture Group Group

communicationcommunication Personal Personal

communicationcommunication Communication Communication

with colleagueswith colleagues

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QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

18 instructors 18 instructors (13 TO, 5 EL)(13 TO, 5 EL)

focus on workload and time usagefocus on workload and time usage most recent coursemost recent course

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Average time usageAverage time usage

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Log file analysisLog file analysis

Interface activities are storedInterface activities are stored logfiles and registrations of 3 logfiles and registrations of 3

instructorsinstructors filters needed filters needed (too much data, interpretation)(too much data, interpretation)

easy; automatic report possible, but:easy; automatic report possible, but: interrupts during an activity interrupts during an activity (filter?)(filter?) logfile and registration differlogfile and registration differ subjective timesubjective time

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InterruptsInterrupts

Go to an appointment A colleague drops in Technical problems Performing other tasks A coffee break

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TeleTOP database analysisTeleTOP database analysis

51 Course environments51 Course environments Academic year 2000-1Academic year 2000-1 counting instructors’ contributions:counting instructors’ contributions:

entries, items, text, attachments, entries, items, text, attachments, URL’sURL’s

goal: Estimate time expendituregoal: Estimate time expenditure based on assumptions about an based on assumptions about an

“average” instructor “average” instructor (time to type, submit att.)(time to type, submit att.)

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Estimated average timeEstimated average time

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Average time for a courseAverage time for a course

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ConclusionsConclusions

Based on small # of courses, one Based on small # of courses, one facultyfaculty

differing courses differing courses (practical, theoretical, (practical, theoretical, interactive)interactive)

Great difference in time expenditure Great difference in time expenditure among coursesamong courses

individual differences / preferencesindividual differences / preferences time estimates can be improvetime estimates can be improve

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FutureFuture

Re-use of material will decrease timeRe-use of material will decrease time Logfile analysis for accurate time Logfile analysis for accurate time

assumptions of individual instructorassumptions of individual instructor Automatic database analysisAutomatic database analysis Goal: Goal: Better planning and time usageBetter planning and time usage ““Academics in Control of their time”Academics in Control of their time”

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ContactContact

Gerard J. Gervedink NijhuisGerard J. Gervedink Nijhuisgervedink@edte.utwente.nlgervedink@edte.utwente.nl

University of TwenteUniversity of TwenteFaculty of Educational Science and TechnologyFaculty of Educational Science and TechnologyDepartment of Instrumentation TechnologyDepartment of Instrumentation TechnologyP.O. Box 217P.O. Box 2177500 AE Enschede7500 AE EnschedeThe NetherlandsThe Netherlands

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