Papers by Amanda Jefferies
British Journal of Educational Technology
Advances in Usability, User Experience and Assistive Technology
2016 Future Technologies Conference (FTC), 2016
International Journal of Learning Technology, 2015
This paper considers the rationale for using video diaries as a method of qualitative data gather... more This paper considers the rationale for using video diaries as a method of qualitative data gathering for research into students' experiences of Higher Education (HE). In particular the paper considers how video diaries have been employed for researching students' views and attitudes to their own learning and development. The paper examines the literature on the purpose of reflective video diary research as the method has moved beyond its initial primary development for use in medical studies and specifically into their use in HE. The particular benefits of personal video-diary compilation are considered in terms of the autonomy of the participant for choosing the location and time of recording along with the immediacy of the learner's reflections. These benefits are compared with other qualitative data gathering methods in particular the use of semi-structured interviews in the presence of an interviewer. The high volume of data gathered through video diaries and the administrative load for data management and its analysis are the main negative aspects considered. A methodology for employing video diaries as a research method for data collection is discussed within the context of three case studies with undergraduate students at a UK university and the wider recent literature. The conclusions highlight the unique value of participant-generated video diaries for researching the nature of the student learning experience in HE.
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2016
Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2016
Electronic Journal of E Learning, 2010
Between March 2007 and February 2009, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded a Lea... more Between March 2007 and February 2009, the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) funded a Learners' Journeys project at the University of Hertfordshire. This was part of their second phase of investment in research into the Learners' Experiences through their E-Learning Programme and was known as LXP2. STROLL (STudent Reflections On Lifelong e-Learning), as the Learners' Journeys project was known, researched into the experiences of current undergraduate students in Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE) primarily through a series of diaries constructed by student volunteers. Using video and audio recording to capture students' own reflections on their learning and their use of technology over the 2 year period the project data has offered many reflections from students on their use of technology for both learning and leisure. Building on this and other recent research data, the authors now suggest that for many HE students, technology has become a ubiquitous part of their lives to the extent that they may own or access regularly multiple items of personal technology that are used interchangeably for learning and leisure, including their computers and their mp3 players. At the University of Hertfordshire access to technology enhanced learning has included use of the managed learning environment (MLE) which is called StudyNet. This MLE has been highly praised by the campus-based undergraduates and especially those participating in STROLL for making their learning accessible wherever and whenever they want to access it. In this paper we explore how academics might learn from the experience of these current students and their reflections on becoming effective learners supported by technology. This research indicates that technology can be a vital support for students in their complex balancing act between their busy studying, working and personal lives and the students have enthusiastically reported that technology is a key enabler for them. This paper presents the ways in which students use technology in HE and raises the questions of how institutions might support some of the diverse needs of future students.
... The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the other members of the project team: Mary... more ... The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the other members of the project team: Mary Thornton, Martina Doolan, Steve Parkhurst, Jon Alltree and Indra Jones, and the support ... Amanda Jefferies School of Computer Science University Fellow in Learning and Teaching ...
Cutting-edge Technologies in Higher Education, 2013
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Papers by Amanda Jefferies