Generally, learners have coped well with the transition (yes, there were some teething problems - some of which were my fault) and feedback has been positive. Comments include:
- I like the way I get feedback as I'm working on a task. I can correct my own errors and get almost instant feedback.
- I've been able to get help with questions whilst I was at home. My tutor could guide me without me having to go to college or wait for an email reply.
- No more paper!I always lose my papers or they get muddled up. I'm already more organised because we used OneNote.
Learners have also reported that they like using Forms quizzes to check their knowledge and understanding - again, they like the almost instant feedback once the quiz has been submitted. Learners started out hating the switch but, on the whole, have taken to the new approach well.
So, I can honestly say that this experiment has gone well. Learners have engaged more and more as we progressed through the unit but, of course, next time, I'll build in a little training on OneNote basics before starting work on teaching (and learning).
For me, using OneNote has meant no printing - I cut out all the paper for this unit COMPLETELY! I am sure my managers will be pleased at this as will, of course, mean lower costs for our department. Anyone who teaches a paper hungry course like I do, knows how often managers complain about printing costs. So, instead of seeing not being able to print as a problem, I used OneNote to solve it.
I've already started work on new course resources for next year - including revisiting the things I used for this pilot experiment. I'm slowly sourcing some great videos to help highlight key concepts and will be working on some narrated PowerPoint type presentations over the summer months which will then be embedded into my course pages.
You may ask what triggered this experiment - simply put, I wanted to be more organised and enhance learning in my classroom. I am now far more organised than I was and I feel that, given the response from my learners, learning has, in fact, been enhanced. However, I don't intend to leave it there as we're under pressure to come up with innovative ways to teach our courses in a 21st Century world.
I already teach on a blended learning course - materials have been provided by an external company. I have seem the benefits that the blended (flipped) approach has brought to learning with learners being equipped coming into the class with new skills to put into practice in the classroom. I can see ways that we can develop similar course materials (probably not so slick as the company who supplies us has a budget we can only dream of) using OneNote.
I will, of course update this blog as I continue on this journey but, if you're around, why not sign up to attend an event I'm speaking at in Cardiff (Wales) on 26th June. Details can be found below:
You can book using this online booking form (it's FREE!)
