Complete thesis - Murdoch University

Table 8.8: Tasks and keys applied in activity log ENG302Tasks KeyCorresConsultProjectReadingExercisesReviewResearchIndvManProjManOtherDescriptionTime spent discussing issues internallyTime spent discussing issues with JocelynTime spent working on specific components of theprojectTime spent reading course materialTime spent performing course exercisesTime spent reviewing past learned knowledge to assistwith engineering of projectTime spent researching new areas of knowledge toassist with engineering of project, external of coursereadingsTime spent on individual management related tasksTime spent on project management related tasksTime spent on any other task related to the unitTable 8.9: Total student hours for ENG302Student TotalHoursWeeklyAverageMarkus 399:35 23:30Alaina 344:39 20:20Dermot 186:09 10:54Vaughn 306:40 18:00• group dynamics – each team member took on the role of Project Manager. While thisaffected individual time, it did not appear to influence the group time spent• ‘ownership’ of the problem and of the assessment decisions.This last suggestion appears to be the strongest interpretation – students indicated throughoutthe semester that they would not sit an exam, and consequently needed to completethe project to demonstration stage. Excerpts from the activity log reflections support thisinterpretation.What is interesting is the comparison of Dermot’s figures – in this unit he hovered around11 hours per week – in ENG301, he peaked at 10 hours in one week. It would appear fromhis reflections, that a leadership role had a strong influence on his motivation.Figure 8.18 shows the time spent on each category of task across the semester, by student.On a weekly basis, students were able to review their work/learning patterns and comment onthem as journal entries within the activity logs. Figure 8.18 indicates the variety of studentapproaches that were catered for in the Studio Learning model. Markus, for example, spentmost of his time on project related activities, with comparatively less time on other activities,including the three Rs of reading, reviewing and researching. Alaina, on the other hand, was372