Methods - Case Studies

Designing the vignettes

Case studies of specific units were selected to provide and in-depth analysis of the curriculum contexts and to provide multiple perspectives (from both staff and students). They involved small research projects which were both explorative and developmental in nature.

 

Aim

The aims of the case studies were to explore:

• the conditions under which lecture delivery technology use is desirable in different curriculum and organisational contexts - across disciplines and modes of delivery
• strategies for enhancing learning and teaching in different contexts
• implications for the design and delivery of the curriculum and the establishment of effective learning environments in different contexts
• implications for academic policies and practice

 

Participants

The project team invited lecturers who had used WBLT in innovative ways at the four participating universities to submit an initial expression of interest to use their units as contexts for the case studies. These lecturers were identified either through the vignettes or through professional links at the universities. Case studies were selected for the innovative usage of WBLT or interesting curriculum contexts. Six case studies were supported with project funds.

Lecturers were given the choice of being a co-researcher or a participant in the case study itself. All selected to be co-researchers in the case studies.

 

Method

Each of the case studies had specific aims and outcomes hence, the research methods varied accordingly. Nevertheless, most included some or all of the following activities: literature reviews, development of strategies for using web-based technologies, interviews, focus groups, analysis of documents, surveys, evaluation of data, synthesis of information and report writing.

There were possible conflicts of interest with some case studies where data were collected from students pertaining to their experiences of the unit during the semester. To ensure that students would not be disadvantaged in any way, the raw data was only available to the core project team. Although the lecturers were given co-researcher status, they were only presented with aggregated and deidentified results.

Read the case studies >>

 

The Project | Methodology | Student Survey | Staff Survey | Vignette | Case Study | People | Progress

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