Molenet - Bedford College/Shuttleworth College

Year 3 Micro Project- Improving Success Rates in Animal Sciences through the use of mLearning

Animal Sciences learners at Shuttleworth College engage in highly mobile learning activities in terms of working with animals in the field and the specialist and exotic animal collections that are housed indoors. Bedford College is now responsible for the management of Shuttleworth College and is ensuring that there is comprehensive wireless network access in all key areas where learning takes place. Participating learners will use smartphones to access on line resources including Moodle course material and the International Species Information System (ISIS); record and upload evidence videos of personal activity and animal behaviour and participate in on line discussion groups.

Aims

• To bring about a step change in the use of eLearning at Shuttleworth College and increase the understanding and skills of teaching staff delivering courses on animal sciences.
• To improve the learner experience for students of animal sciences by increasing access to interactive and rich-media learning materials.
• To foster a sense of belonging to a vibrant learner community for students of animal sciences through provision of access to discussion groups, messaging and other communications services for students of animal sciences.

Objectives

• To increase retention of 60 animal science students at Level 2 by 3%
• To increase achievement of 60 animal science students at Level 2 by 3%
• To develop VLE courses (on Moodle) which support course participation and delivery of material to mobile devices for four full time courses

Contribution to Local and Regional priorities

• Bedford College is now responsible for the management of Shuttleworth College (previously a partner of Writtle College). Bedford College recently achieved an Outstanding inspection outcome from OFSTED and was awarded Beacon College status.
• A key college priority is to work with Shuttleworth College to substantially raise the quality of Shuttleworth College learners' experiences and improve their levels of success.
• The Eastern Region has a high number of specialist animal collections, including Woburn Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo , which drives demand for staff skilled in the management of animal collections