A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Enhancing academic and Practice

Engineering
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assessments (quizzes), online summative assignments, links to selected external
resources, and a message board for queries.
The feedback from the students indicates that they are appreciative of the
flexibility offered by the online course and of being able to work at a time and pace
that suits them, with the majority finding that using the VLE increased their
motivation to learn. The VLE enabled the use of different resource types and
greater interaction with the tutor through the discussion board than was typical
in a lecture.
For further information see http://www.engsc.ac.uk/downloads/optical.pdf.
(John Fothergill, Department of Engineering, University of Leicester)
Web-based laboratories
As described above, practical work is a key component of engineering degrees and
laboratory sessions are one of the principal ways that engineers learn how to apply theory.
However, with the increase in class sizes and the drain on resources to provide up-to-date
equipment, universities and colleges are increasingly using web-based laboratories (also
referred to as virtual or remote labs or e-practicals). Virtual labs can also help to develop
laboratory skills in distance learning students and disabled students who may not be
able to access traditional laboratories. The practical sessions can use a range of
technologies including online movie clips, simulations and labs controlled over the
internet. While virtual approaches cannot replace real-world experimentation in
technology and engineering, if a sound pedagogic approach is adopted, they can be a
valuable aid to understanding.
e-assessment or computer-aided assessment
There are plenty of examples of innovative and effective practice in e-assessment which
can have advantages over traditional methods including greater speed of marking and
immediate feedback, as well as increasing usability and accessibility for a diverse range
of students. Case study 3 describes such an example.
Case study 3: Improving student success and retention
through greater participation and tackling studentunique
tutorial sheets
In response to concerns about the poor examination pass rates and also about the
students’ understanding of the subject in a first-year Fluid Mechanics and
Thermodynamics module, the tutors introduced student-unique, weeklyassessed
tutorial sheets. Each week a new set of assessment sheets, made unique