Dreaming of digital cakes: reflections on transitioning event-based assessment online.

Jones, Katie; Ironside, Rachael

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of a change in delivery - from an assessed live events project to a digital events project - in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this paper is on two modules delivered to Stage 3 and Stage 4 students on the BA (Hons) Events Management course at Robert Gordon University, which both require the delivery of physical live events as part of the assessment. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, both modules were adapted to provide students with the opportunity to continue the delivery of a practical project in a collaborative online environment. The challenges and opportunities of collaborative online learning have been recognised by scholars, who identify issues - such as motivation (Chiong & Jovanovic, 2012) and frustration (Capdeferro & Romero, 2012) - alongside benefits, including personal and professional development (Altinay, 2017). Drawing upon data collected from two student focus groups and the reflective diaries of lecturing staff, the paper considers key challenges, learning opportunities and the professional development of the participants. The findings from this study indicate that, while changing the delivery of these modules to an online setting impacted the experience and emotional wellbeing of participants, it also provided a valuable learning experience. Students reported an increase in soft skills such as confidence, resilience and adaptability, and reflected on the transferability of practical skills gained through the running of a digital event. In addition, staff noted impacts on their time and wellbeing; however, they also considered this change to be valuable for their own professional development and consideration of future pedagogy. In particular, the experience gained by lecturing staff through this process has provided valuable pedagogical resources for future group projects. This paper concludes with a reflection on lessons learned and a consideration of best practice in relation to online collaborative student projects.

Citation

JONES, K. and IRONSIDE, R. 2021. Dreaming of digital cakes: reflections on transitioning event-based assessment online. Presented at the 2021 RGU annual learning and teaching conference (RGU LTC 2021): creativity from crisis: emerging stronger, 8 June 2021, Aberdeen, UK.

• Presentation Conference Type: Lecture
• Conference Name: 2021 RGU annual learning and teaching conference (RGU LTC 2021): creativity from crisis: emerging stronger
• Conference Location: Aberdeen, UK
• Start Date: Jun 8, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 7, 2023
• Keywords: Distance learning; Online learning; Group projects; Group assessments; Events management students
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1992938