Appropriate and Practical Technologies for Students Teachers Administrators & Researchers  

       

Demonstrator Project Record: 1


Demonstrator Project
Demonstrator
 		Brian Aldridge
College RVC (Royal Veterinary College)
Stakeholder Group
 Students


About Your College Project
Demonstrator Project Name

RVC AHEMS reviews
Project Start Date

July 2008
Project Length
(days, weeks, months)

Continuous

Participants Involved

(job titles where relevant)


Professor Brian Aldridge - Chair of Farm Animal Health Production, who teaches on the AHEMS (Animal Husbandry Extra Mural Studies) course.
The current participants are second year RVC students, but as the project continues hopefully it will incorporate all students.

Brief Description of the project
(Aims and Objectives)


Aims

Essentially to create an information database to provide students with a central available resource of shared knowledge on farm placements and to identify and engage students on the quality of farm placements.


In the future, maybe we could incorporate a star rated service, similar how users rate accommodation on the TripAdviser website.   Another suggestion would be to link the Google Database reviews to the geographic database on the RVC intranet, created by other members in the E-media team at the RVC.


Objectives


1.To create a greater awareness of the database facility (by mentioning Google Docs in student handbooks and to provide introductions to Google Docs in lectures).


2.To engage students, by surveying students opinon on their experience with Google Docs.


3. To engender a student ownership in the system (by keeping the database system informal and fun).


How will Google Docs help with your project?
(i.e to use the Form to collect data from surveys, Presentation to display information, Word Processor to share formal documents, brain storm ideas etc)

To share Word Processing documents, containing pre-formatted tables for the students to complete.

What is the plan of engagement?
(What needs to happen when and who needs to do what)

Student awareness needs to be implemented by mentioning Google Docs in the student handbooks and to verbally introduce Google Docs and encouraging the use of Google Docs for group work.


Caroline, to maintain the database, by regularly checking the reviews and the presentation of the database.

What project outcomes do you expect?
(i.e creating documents collaboratively with staff and students in more effective ways; to bridge the technological gap between students and staff)

Increased satisfaction with the student administrative process when selecting a suitable placement.


This database will streamline the process of placement selection and increase confidence in the placement from knowing more about the project.

What encouraged you to take part in this project?

The APT STAIRS Launch event provided more information about the project, creating interest in the collaborative practices across the Bloomsbury consortium.

Also an interest in e-learning, believing it has positive aspects with the student learning experience, making the learning process more enjoyable.  Brian can see the project increasing the freedom to learn and reducing student anxiety, from the database project being student centred, rather than tutor centred.
What would you like to get out of this project?

A healthier learning environment, and a more positive experience in the AHEMS course.
What sort of support will you need to make this project a success?

Caroline to provide Google Docs introductions at the AHEMS inductions, in October 2008.      (Friday 10th, Mon 20th, Tues 21st.)
What sort of support do you think the participants will need to make this project a success?
 
Training on Google Docs, guidance for support staff, as well as feedback on student participation.