Site visit to Robert Gordon University

12 Jun 2013

Recently three members of the School of Nursing and Midwifery staff went on a site visit to Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland.  The purpose of the visit was to investigate the route this University has taken in becoming extremely successful in providing online education for its nursing students.

The day comprised meetings with key members of staff involved in online learning from the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Care.

The day’s agenda included meetings with:

• Kate Goodhand Learning Enhancement Co-Ordinator

• Gavin Innes e- Learning Advisor

• Sheelagh Martindale Head of Professional Development

• Katrina Whittingham Lecturer in Wound care

• Heather Bain Course Leader for Masters and

• Alison McLennan Acting Associate Head of School

With the exception of Gavin above persons are actively involved with planning, developing and teaching predominantly post-graduate nursing modules and programmes online.  Students of Robert Gordon University hail from across Scotland and beyond.

All lecturers remarked on the

• Richness their e-learning advisor can bring to the online environment to enhance student engagement.

• Necessity for continuing updates regarding emerging technologies and pedagogies.

• Intellectual demand is similar to that of  face-to-face lecturing.

• Requirement of a complete team to support online education to include: educators, learning advisors, librarians and administrative staff.

Additional areas discussed included assessment techniques, strategies employed to building community of active learners, student and staff training, presentation of online content as well as technological issues and challenges.  The action packed day concluded with a brief tour of the university’s eight floor library which provided fantastic views of Aberdeen City countryside.