Flexible Learning in Four Large History Courses

TitleFlexible Learning in Four Large History Courses
Faculty/College/UnitArts
StatusCompleted
Duration2 Year
Initiation07/12/2013
Completion04/01/2016
Project Summary

This TLEF grant, under the Flexible Learning call for proposals, amalgamated four varied approaches to partially-flipped classrooms and the development of online content and activities. Though we did have periodic meetings to share experiences and ideas, the four projects were quite different and proceeded separately. Hist 106 (Glassheim) developed a series of online modules that combined some lecture content with multi-media and activities, freeing up around a third of lecture time for interactive work. Hist 105 (Bronfman) developed content and assignments on WordPress, freeing up considerable lecture time for in-class interaction. Hist 273 (Mayer) developed visual literacy tools, primarily for in-class exercises. And Hist 280 (Prange) created a series of videos and other online resources as supplementary material on the history of Islam.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2013/2014
Year 1: Project TypeLarge TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorEagle Glassheim
Year 1: Funded Amount20,750
Year 1: Team Members

Eagle Glassheim, Associate Professor, History
Alejandra Bronfman, Associate Professor, History
Tara Mayer, Assistant Professor, History
Sebastian Prange, Assistant Professor, History
Nick Thornton, BA graduate, UBC
Hanna Smyth, BA student, UBC
Mark Stoller, PhD student, UBC

Project ReportReport-2013-FL-Glassheim-WEB.pdf
Project Outcomes

Products & achievements: Hist 106 modules; Hist 105 modules (https://blogs.ubc.ca/alejandrabronfman/); Hist 280 videos; Hist 273 visual materials.

Intended outcomes/themes: All the courses (except 273) used online material to free up class time for interactive work.  Hist 106 & 105 developed interactive modules with substantial multi-media content. Hist 273 generated visual source material and exercises that were used for interactive lectures.  Increased interaction improves student engagement.

Evaluation approach: We used our own evaluation forms to gauge student experience with interactive tools. For Hist 106 an online survey was employed.

Findings: Most respondents found the online modules valuable. The online materials for Hist 105, 106, 280 allowed for less content and more interaction in lectures. The visual materials for 273 allowed for more interaction in lectures.

Sustainability: The materials generated for all four courses can (and will) be used in future iterations of the courses. This will not require any additional resources.