Adobe Connect for feedback
Erica Sheward at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) has been using Adobe Connect in order to give feedback. Previous student questionnaires revealed that the students were generally unhappy with how feedback was given within the team. To improve this, feedback sessions were organised using Adobe Connect. Students were invited to join the chat synchronously to go through their assignments and explain each point. This also gave both the students and the lecturers an opportunity to focus on the positive aspects of the work as opposed to simply pointing out areas for improvement. After each synchronous session and audio link to the recorded conversation was also sent to the students for further reflection. If students were unable to attend they received a link with the recording of their feedback and they were asked to listen to the video before opening their work with the written comments. The students responded very positively to this activity as they gained greater understanding of the criteria and were provided with an opportunity to challenge the lecturers’ comments.
Next steps
The aim of the project is to provide and interactive platform upon which to build a unique MSc Food Safety and Quality Management programme, which will combine Moodle and Adobe capability. The course will meet all the necessary academic quality criteria and will provide state of the art, interactive, flexible and inclusive opportunity for those wishing to study at this academic level who are not currently able to.
Virtual Office Hours
Adobe Connect has also been used by Edna Solomon in the Faculty of Business, as an additional support for students in the form of Virtual Office Hours. Students are given an opportunity to talk to the tutor online and ask any further questions about their assignments and coursework.