Carnegie Students Staying Connected (whatever the weather!)

The unprecedented snowfalls have brought most of the country to a standstill, but Carnegie students have been able to access their lecturers and continue learning while the college was closed. College staff have been using web conferencing software and social networking sites to ensure students are kept up-to-date with their studies. Carnegie’s Assistant Principal Janet McCauslin said ‘We have always realised the importance of technological advances in delivering learning to our students. However, it is unusual conditions such as we have been experiencing this past week, which have really emphasised the value of such systems. Whenever possible staff have been able to keep in touch with their students, advise of closures and offer advice about our on-line learning services. We know how important it is for students not to fall behind with their course work. The timetables are always tight but a prolonged absence can make it very difficult for them to catch up. When students do return many will find their learning schedules have not been disrupted. Unlike the transport system, snow and ice have not put on-line learning on hold!’ Art and Design, Photography and Multimedia lessons have been running via on-line connections. Students have been alerted of lesson times and topics via the college’s Facebook group and then able to log into a virtual classroom twice a day for 45 minutes whilst Lecturer Colin Maxwell used a webcam and screen demonstration to show them different techniques. Students used instant messaging to communicate with the lecturer and each other and a polling system to suggest different lesson topics for the day. Higher National Diploma Interactive Media student, Christopher Thompson (27) from Kelty found the on-line support an excellent way to communicate with his lecturer ‘It was great to get advice and support from the college and know that I was keeping on track regarding my studies. Learning went on regardless of the weather, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to travel from Kelty in the current conditions’. Colin Maxwell, Lecturer of Computer Arts at Carnegie said ‘Using Adobe Connect to teach lessons online has been incredible during these conditions that have meant that students can’t physically get into college. So many have logged on and taken part, many requesting what they want to learn next. Other lecturers have set up on-line tutorials for students to upload, communicating via blogs and using web stored media for their classes. I have also used the software to keep in touch with my Carnegie colleagues and with teachers from the UK and beyond to discuss various topics related to education. Employing this kind of technology ensures students keep learning and I would urge others to investigate its use in the future and to be prepared for the next period of adverse weather!’ Drama students have also been in touch with their lecturers using on-line methods and taking part in ‘Drama in Pyjamas’. Drama lecturer Sarah Halliwell explained ‘Drama and Performance is a very practical subject. Students were able to continue with their written work and discussion forums using the college’s on-line services. However, staff devised ‘Drama in Pyjamas’ for the more visual side of their course work. Students prepared and then performed monologues via web cams, many of them doing this in their pyjamas! They then received feedback from staff and their classmates. This means they will be ready for the delivery and assessment on stage when we return to college.’ Posted on 3rd December 2010