College News

Date: 17 March 2004

Shakespeare study goes online

Students of Shakespeare at Royal Holloway, University of London can now access course materials, resources and tutors by going on-line. Over 130 learners, first year undergraduates as well as postgraduates, have enrolled on the web-based component of the College's Shakespeare modules.

Dr Ewan Fernie, a lecturer within the English department, has been actively involved in the adoption of this modern approach to deliver a very traditional subject: "Those who use the online materials and tools are noticeably more confident in class. They have also practiced ideas in written English in a 'safe', unassessed environment and as a result they are more articulate and intellectually adventurous in seminars and written assignments".

The online delivery is achieved using a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Learnwise. A VLE is, typically, an integrated set of web-based tools, which brings together learners, tutors, subject matter experts, materials, resources, assessments and online discussion groups.

The Educational Development Centre (EDC) at Royal Holloway has reported encouraging user statistics. Since October almost 800 learners have enrolled on the system, and the numbers are increasing daily. "We've had over 7000 visits to Learnwise in the last 13 weeks," says Martin King, the EDC's Educational Technology Officer. "These figures are inclusive of the winter break, as students are able to access their courses and peers. When off campus, many took advantage of this opportunity"

Learnwise is used only to support the delivery of courses. Martin King explains: "It is not our intention to replace the excellent face-to-face teaching here at RHUL, only to augment it through considered use of technology".

Academic departments at Royal Holloway, including History, Geology, Biological Sciences and Music, have enthusiastically used Learnwise, to upload a wealth of materials - documents, web pages, topics for group discussion, library resources, quizzes, even audio and video files.

Students are able to log-on to Learnwise at any time to interact with other students by accessing the online discussion group, an integral part of the Shakespeare course. The English department has found that independent discussion is key for students developing their critical knowledge. The discussions by students on a number of other courses have been very successful in promoting reflection and discourse out of the classroom. These discussions, if managed correctly, can become learning resources helping students prepare for assignments, and helping other cohorts of students to learn. Martin King reports that, "Students recognised their forum as an invaluable revision tool in its own right".

Learnwise is offered at a number of institutions around the UK, including the University of Plymouth, the Southampton Institute and the University of Wolverhampton, where the service was developed. However, Royal Holloway has extended use of the system by integrating online reading lists, the library catalogue and one-touch cross-searching of multiple journal databases, as well as delivering all lecture materials for a number of History modules.

Royal Holloway made the headlines last year after launching the UK's first entirely online undergraduate Classics 'e-degree' through the University of London External Programme. Students take between five and eight years to complete this course through remote internet access, sitting their exams at a centre within the Programme's worldwide network.

Royal Holloway intends to develop its online provision further by keeping abreast of technological and pedagogical developments in the fast moving arena of online learning. Work is already under way to give greater control and publication abilities to the academics, the 'subject matter experts', and to enhance students' learning experiences through allowing them to create personalised versions of the online environment.

Further plans include the piloting of plagiarism detection software, which can be used to support originality and independent thought in student work.

The Educational Development Centre considers Learning Technology to be a great opportunity for academics and students alike, and is committed to making the best use of Learnwise and other tools to improve the already highly regarded teaching and learning at Royal Holloway.

For further information on the EDC and online learning at Royal Holloway, visit http://www.rhul.ac.uk/edc/learning_technology/index.htm
ENDS

For further information contact Royal Holloway, University of London, Press Office:
Christine Long, Press & PR Officer, 01784 443967, email: Christine.long@rhul.ac.uk
Vicky Cousins, Assistant Press & Comms Officer, 01784 414480, email Victoria.cousins@rhul.ac.uk
Richard Freeman, Press Assistant, 01784 414471, email: press-assistant@rhul.ac.uk