Case study of how student pairs produced video reflections each week to support their learning

1. USING YOUTUBE
TO CAPTURE STUDENT REFLECTIONS
Andrew Middleton, Natalie Wilmot, Diane Rushton & Simon Warwick
Sheffield Hallam University

2. Challenge: to develop reflective thinking
Students to create weekly reflective
notes in pairs as the basis for an
individual reflective report

3. Challenge: metaphysical engagement - 'reason
for being in the classroom' (Postman 1996)
Postman, N. (1996). The end of education : redefining the value of school. New York: Vintage Books.

4. Metaphysical Motivational Technical
What's the innovation problem?
EngagementEngagement

5. reason
technology
social identity
expectations
value talking – the „digital voice‟
value peer support and collaboration
value evidence (Digital Posters)
Starting points
value ubiquity, familiarity and
simplicity
smart personal
pervasive
technology
value „Google‟
(YouTube Capture app)
SOCIAL CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT

6. What we did
Workshops
• 2 hours, 2 groups
• tutor-led with support
• role of reflection in the module
• reflection method – spoken,
peer supported, captured
• test run – using the technology
Outcome
• All students ready for weekly
peer reflection activity

7. Evidencing the benefit of talking
together using a 'public' platform
"It‟s really good for gathering your thoughts."2
"It‟s good listening back to yourself because
you can hear whether or not you know what
you‟re talking about." 2
"I‟ve learnt that, if I go off at a tangent, to
realise it earlier and redirect myself straight
away." 2
“[It‟s given me] more control of my ability to
learn.“ 1
"It's giving me a clearer view about what I‟m
doing. And if I missed out something it‟s going
to point out all these bits and pieces. 2
1. Nortcliffe, A., Middleton, A. and Rossiter, A. (2013). Learners take control: how audio notes can promote learner autonomy. In: Middleton, A. (ed.) "Digital voices: a collaborative exploration of the
recorded voice in post-compulsory education". MELSIG and Sheffield Hallam University.
2. Malone, C. and Rushton, D. (2013). Using digital posters to promote academic literacy.
In: Middleton, A. (ed.) "Digital voices: a collaborative exploration of the recorded voice in post-compulsory education". MELSIG and Sheffield Hallam University.

8. Initial
Student
Thoughts*
*online survey conducted after the
module had finished
I wasn't too keen on
recording my thoughts, as
it was a very daunting
task. However I
understand now that it
was useful to increase
confidence and also
increases the likelihood
or retaining that
information.
I was not sure on how I felt about
using YouTube recordings at first
but it definitely helped to complete
the assignment that was given.
Although I think I still prefer not to
use the recordings.
I wish I would do more stuff
like this for myself.

9. "We wanted them to feel free to
express their thoughts without
being bound by writing, which is
often seen as a more formal task,
especially as we as tutors would
be viewing it."
"We had technical problems with wi-
fi for a number of weeks which
meant that they weren't able to
complete the recordings in class,
and then out of class they didn't feel
motivated to do it."
"Many of them suggested that they
didn't see the value of it - until it
came to writing their final
assignments."
"Although we initially envisaged
a conversation in pairs, in the
end I changed to individual
reflections where possible as the
students seemed to feel much
more comfortable with this and
were then less self conscious so
it was a more honest
discussion."
Next year... “an initial lecture to put
the module into perspective and to
introduce reflective thinking.
Then in the first workshop we can
focus more on why and how to do it.”
On reflection... initial tutor thoughts

10. Motivation - the workshops were busy, exciting
and productive
Technology - the students used the familiar
technology easily
Metaphysical engagement - the students hadn't
bought into it. They did not fully belong. They did not
fully understand their role as reflective and critical
learners i.e. their „reason‟ or bigger purpose.
Conclusion
- until the end
Condition for innovation success:
Sense of belonging, identity, being and social cohesion