1. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Thinking, questioning
and laughing:
the recipe for online
masters courses
Dr Tony Blackett (e-Learning Coordinator)
Mr James Little (e-Learning Support Officer)

2. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Introduction
• The Internet has effectively shrunk the world
• Instant information access
• Effortless long-range communication
• National barriers eroded
• University classes can be worldwide!
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

3. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
International locations of online students (from 2004)
50% based in UK : 50% rest of the world
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

4. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
MMid programme aims
The programme aims to:
•Provide a flexible programme of targeted education
tailored to suit individual student needs
•Build on participants’ existing experience, knowledge
and domain speciality
•Develop each individual’s critical faculties, analytical
abilities and intellectual curiosity
•Locate an international perspective amongst
contemporary midwifery and childbearing issues and
provide a forum for debate
Your aims may well differ……..
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

5. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Course structure
• Modular – generic framework
• Semesterized
• 15 credit standard unit
• Flexible timescales
(3 year part time as standard)
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

6. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Example course structure
Unit 1 Unit 3 Unit 5 Unit 7 Unit 9
Reflective Leadership + Information
Managing
practitice service +
change
development commun-
ication
Research
dissertation
Unit 2 Unit 4 Unit 6 Unit 8 project
Current Screening
Research Research
issues in +
methods design
health care genetics
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

7. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Masters level unit for online delivery – structural plan [ = generic items = course specific items ]
Unit Info Purpose of unit Scope of unit Organisation of unit How to maximise your benefit from the unit Assessment strategy
Aims and learning outcomes Dates of sessions Submission date
Summative assessment Mission or topic for assessed work Guidance notes
SESSION 1 SESSION 2 SESSION 3 SESSION 4 SESSION 5 SESSION 6 Summative Assessment
Session Info Session Info Session Info Session Info Session Info Session Info Students working on own
(or in groups):
Aims
Scope Literature searching
How to… Researching topic
Writing-up assignment
Assets Assets Assets Assets Assets Assets
Course notes
Internet
resources
Online library
resources
Readings
Additional
resources
Activities Activities Activities Activities Activities Activities
Reading tasks
Writing tasks
Investigations
etc.
Discussions Discussions Discussions Discussions Discussions Discussions
week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week 7 week 8 week 9 week 10 week 11 week 12 week 13 week 14 week 15
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

8. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Course homepage on MOLE
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

9. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Course notes
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

10. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Web links
Asset-based model allows students to
follow own interests by using, with
guidance, the large amount of
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield information available over the Internet

11. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Discussion groups
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

12. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Lessons learned
• Staff training necessary
(in house or LeTTOL)
• Students need to become familiar with course
environment (Getting started)
• Students need to feel part of a community
(Café, Chat facility, Staff/Student Profiles)
• Regular input from both staff and students is
required
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

13. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Getting started
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

14. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Other factors to consider…
• Online courses only work when the system
is up
• Online students cannot start without being
issued a username and password
(recent School periodic review commented
on registration issues)
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

15. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Student feedback 1
‘I felt like a frog at the bottom of a well…….
You have really made me learn more
about midwifery in other parts of the
world!’
- Shuk Ching Winny Kwan, Hong Kong
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

16. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Student feedback 2
‘My days off have not been spent travelling
to and from a university just for a short
lecture.
I can focus clearly on turning the computer
on at anytime and being able to study.’
- Natalie Dowell, Lincolnshire, UK
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

17. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Student feedback 3
‘A wonderful learning opportunity.’
– Denise Edwards, Commonwealth of Dominica
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

18. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
Student feedback 4
‘I am now looking at my practice with new eyes
thanks to my wonderful e-friends and
e-instructors.
You have made me think, question and laugh!’
- Denise Cummins, California, USA
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield

19. The School Of www.sheffield.ac.uk/snm/online
Nursing
And
Midwifery
MMid graduation ceremony
06/07/2012 © The University of Sheffield (January 2008)