Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement

Project case study

Psychology (large) MSc Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities

The project...

Migration of four Year 1 and seven Year 2 course units from a printed loose-leaf binder format to online delivery via Victory.

What we did...

  • Worked closely with academic staff to repurpose the hardcopy material for web delivery (focusing on rewriting content and building in simple interactive and navigational elements).
  • Led on investigating and resolving all the copyright issues involved in using third-party resources in these study units. (In this case chapters from key texts were to be used as Readings). Working with staff in the University Library, we sourced third-party materials by:
    • directing students to the required material via web links;
    • scanning chapters from University Library stock for delivery in pdf format (at all times ensuring compliance with the photocopying and scanning licences that the University subscribes to);
    • approaching the British Library for copyright-cleared pdf scans (fee involved); and
    • applying to publishers directly (fee and usage restrictions often apply).
  • Conceived and designed an engaging overall presentational style, making effective use of colour as both an illustrative and navigational device in addition to incorporating a range of interactive features including:
    • pop-up show / hide boxes for important Tutor notes;
    • moderated discussion groups; and
    • online quizzes and assessment.
  • Worked with the Media Production team, based in the Rotunda TV Studio, to produce audio and video artefacts to complement the text-based content as part of a complete blended-learning solution.

The result...

Now that the course is in Victory, the process of updating the material is quicker and easier than it was with printed manuals: we can respond to student feedback in a much more timely fashion.

Testimonial...

The current online delivery of the MSc Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities course programme is the result of close collaboration between colleagues in the Department of Psychology and the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) team of the Department for Curriculum and Quality Enhancement (DCQE). The academic team produced text-based teaching and learning materials, which were then edited and transformed and often enhanced into elearning materials for the distance learner. The working relationship between the two teams was helped by our close and ongoing contact with the TEL team. The academic team was kept briefed at all stages of the transformation of its course materials into a high quality elearning experience with inputs from the University Library. I am very happy with the methods and process that the TEL team brought in collaboration with the academic team to update and improve the presentation of this postgraduate course that has been running for over 20 years.

Dr Karl Nunkoosing
(Course Leader and Principal Lecturer (MSc Applied Psychology of Intellectual Disabilities), Department of Psychology)