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- Self-tests: These were created using the test feature within Blackboard; here especially the question types "multiple answers" and "true-false questions" were used.
- In the Blackboard course the lecture slides as well as the questions for the self-tests were provided.
- A discussion forum was created in which - for the first few lectures held - discussion threads were pre-configured.
Ill.Illustration 1: Screenshot of the subfolder "Course material methods lecture"
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The main function of the face-to-face course was the frontal dissemination of knowledge. This was enriched with e-learning offers. For one, the self-tests in which students answered questions on the contents of the previous lecture. The questions within the self-tests have two functions. The students should self-check themselves by answering the questions and thereby assess if they have correctly understood the lecture contents. As the questions were similar style-wise to the later exam questions, answering the questions served not just as content preparation for the exam but was also a formal preparation (type of questions being asked). At the same time, the course lecturer was able to discern if the students had understood the lecture contents from what and how the students answered. Neither the learning check or participating in the discussion forum were mandatory.
Ill. Illustration 2: Blended learning concept
Ill. Illustration 2 shows the blended learning concept; i.e. the interaction between the lectures and the e-learning elements: Ideally, the self-test is posted together with the lecture slides in Blackboard approx. 24 hours before the course begins. The self-test also provided the answers directly; therefore no special supervision was necessary here. The forum was checked every 48 hours and, if needed, help and pointers were provided. In case the results of the self-tests and the forum posts pointed to problems with the comprehension of the lecture contents, then these aspects are re-discussed during the next face-to-face session. Planning in this manner presumes that all students have access - either privately or via Zedat - to a computer in order to be able to log in to Blackboard and work within the system.
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