Using OpenStudio in STEM learning

Project leader(s): Elaine ThomasLeonor BarrocaHelen DonelanKaren Kear
Theme: Technologies for STEM learning
Faculty: STEM
Status: Archived
Dates: October 2014 to December 2018

Winner of the 2nd eSTEeM Scholarship Projects of the Year Award 2019 under the category - Innovative/Original Approach to Teaching.

The ‘Using OpenStudio in STEM learning’ project was established to evaluate the use of online studio-based learning in the Open University. Studio-based learning provides a model that can be adapted for online learning. In conventional teaching settings, studio-based learning follows an apprenticeship model where students work independently or in groups, under the guidance of a tutor, using real-world activities.

The project consisted of two main phases: a workshop for module team chairs followed by an in-depth study of the use of OpenStudio on two Computing & IT modules. Educators representing distance learning modules from a range of STEM disciplines including Computing and IT, Design, Engineering and Environmental Technology participated in a workshop to share information about the use of OpenStudio on their modules. A simple model of OpenStudio activities was derived from the workshop to illustrate the process of 'showing and sharing', viewing and reviewing', commenting and critiquing', and 'reviewing and reflecting' involved. Two Computing and IT undergraduate modules were then selected for more detailed analysis, one at level 1 (TU100, My digital life) and another at level 3 (TM354, Software engineering). Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from samples of students on these modules and analysed. In addition, tutors from both TU100 and TM354 were invited to participate in focus groups in online forums to provide a fuller picture of the activities.

The data suggest that students enjoy the OpenStudio activities, especially the visual nature of artefacts and the idea that shorter comments may be made, rather than longer more discursive pieces of writing. In addition to learning about their subject area, students are also learning how to give feedback to their peers and how to use the feedback they receive, both of which are important skills. Many students are confident in their own ability and are able to evaluate the feedback they receive. However, some students may lack confidence in their own ability to give feedback on the work of their peers, particularly at level 1. Importantly, there needs to be an opportunity to complete the cycle of the experiential learning model in the activity by allowing students to produce another artefact. The experiential nature of the online studio activity presents an opportunity for students to reflect-in-action as well as reflect on their actions (Schön, 1983). Comparisons between the OpenStudio model, the survey findings and Kolb’s Experiential Learning model (1984) revealed the range of student views and the diversity of students’ experiences of the learning activities, and provided some thought-provoking insights into student behavior in carrying out the OpenStudio activities.