This article explores the efficacy of formative assessment feedback models in higher education. Over 1 year and two courses, three feedback techniques were trialled: staff-to-student feedback in class, peer-to-peer feedback in class and peer-to-peer feedback online, via the Café, an e-learning application hosted by Facebook. Every 2 weeks, students were required to bring work-in-progress to tutorial classes and discuss their work with their peers and tutors. In alternating weeks, students posted work-in-progress to a forum in the Café, and critiqued their peers' submissions. The three feedback measures were evaluated by the participating students at the end of each semester, in the form of an online survey, which provided the opportunity to critically reflect on the experience. The results of the student experience are discussed in light of the growing use of online spaces for collaborative learning and peer feedback.
This study explores the efficacy of the online social networking site Facebook, for linking international digital media student cohorts through an e-mentoring scheme. It reports on the 2011 collaboration between the University of Adelaide in Australia, and Penn State University in the United States. Over one semester, twelve postgraduate students in Australia and ten undergraduate students in the United States took part in an online mentor scheme hosted by Facebook. Students were required to submit workin-progress imagery each week to a series of galleries within the forum. Postgraduate students from Adelaide mentored the undergraduate students at Penn State, and in turn, staff and associated industry professionals mentored the Adelaide students. Interaction between the two student cohorts was consistently strong throughout the semester, and all parties benefitted from the collaboration. Students from Penn State University were able to receive guidance and critiques from more experienced peers, and responded positively to the continual feedback over the semester. Students from the University of Adelaide received support from three different groups: Penn State staff and associated professionals; local industry professionals and recent graduates; and peers from Penn State. The 2011 scheme highlighted the efficacy of Facebook as a host site for e-mentoring and strengthened the bond between the two collaborating institutions. Project objectives and research participantsThis research has been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of Facebook for establishing international networking opportunities for digital media students with peers and relevant industry professionals. Within this principal aim are the following objectives: a. to establish the significance of mentoring in undergraduate and postgraduate digital media education; b. to explore alternatives to traditional face to face mentoring; c. to generate an engaging and interactive community linking digital media students with peers and industry.This study involved final year postgraduate students enrolled in the Master of Design with Digital Media (MDDM) program at The University of Adelaide in Australia, and second year undergraduate students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Digital Studio (IDS) program at Penn State University, in the United States. The two cohorts come from a broad range of educational backgrounds, including design studies, architecture and visual arts.
<p>This paper reflects on the use of Facebook as an online learning environment for first year design students from 2008 to 2011. Between 2008 and 2010 three student cohorts from the University of Adelaide engaged with their peers through forums hosted by Facebook, submitting work-in-progress imagery and critiquing peers' submissions. In 2011 the study expanded to include national and international collaborators with first year cohorts from Swinburne University in Australia, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore also participating, allowing students to interact with their global peers. The online forum facilitated increased peer interaction, particularly between local and international students, and improved academic performance as a result of consistent feedback from a range of sources. At the end of 2011 students from the four participating cohorts between 2008 and 2011 were invited to take part in a survey reflecting on and evaluating the learning experiences in Facebook. The results highlighted many positive outcomes regarding the online forum, and have led to the establishment of a series of recommendations for the future use of Facebook as a learning tool, outlined at the conclusion of this paper.</p><p> </p>
This study explores the efficacy of the online social networking site Facebook, for linking international digital media student cohorts through an e-mentoring scheme. It reports on the 2011 collaboration between the University of Adelaide in Australia, and Penn State University in the United States. Over one semester, twelve postgraduate students in Australia and ten undergraduate students in the United States took part in an online mentor scheme hosted by Facebook. Students were required to submit workin-progress imagery each week to a series of galleries within the forum. Postgraduate students from Adelaide mentored the undergraduate students at Penn State, and in turn, staff and associated industry professionals mentored the Adelaide students. Interaction between the two student cohorts was consistently strong throughout the semester, and all parties benefitted from the collaboration. Students from Penn State University were able to receive guidance and critiques from more experienced peers, and responded positively to the continual feedback over the semester. Students from the University of Adelaide received support from three different groups: Penn State staff and associated professionals; local industry professionals and recent graduates; and peers from Penn State. The 2011 scheme highlighted the efficacy of Facebook as a host site for e-mentoring and strengthened the bond between the two collaborating institutions. Project objectives and research participantsThis research has been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of Facebook for establishing international networking opportunities for digital media students with peers and relevant industry professionals. Within this principal aim are the following objectives: a. to establish the significance of mentoring in undergraduate and postgraduate digital media education; b. to explore alternatives to traditional face to face mentoring; c. to generate an engaging and interactive community linking digital media students with peers and industry.This study involved final year postgraduate students enrolled in the Master of Design with Digital Media (MDDM) program at The University of Adelaide in Australia, and second year undergraduate students enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Digital Studio (IDS) program at Penn State University, in the United States. The two cohorts come from a broad range of educational backgrounds, including design studies, architecture and visual arts.
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