RAPID Tutorials

Date: June, 2004

Proposed By: Bruce Wright (Civil & Building)

 
 
The RAPID Progress File is a web-based Personal & Professional Development Tool that enables students to create their own Curriculum Vitae, and to audit and develop skills relevant for both their academic and personal / professional development. There are currently 8 versions of RAPID mainly within Construction disciplines with a generic Engineering version under development. RAPID is introduced to students on Part A undergraduate Communication modules (CVA001 and CVA027) in the Department of Civil and Building Engineering. Due to large numbers of students on these modules and limited spaces in computing labs, the RAPID Project Manager has to repeat the introduction to RAPID at least 10 times per year. In addition, the module leader for these modules is also present during these sessions. With an average cohort of ~240 students, there is an excessive staff/student contact time, and consequently the Civil and Building computer labs (with only 30 PCs) are extensively used. The main objective of this proposal is therefore to reduce staff contact time with students by producing video-based tutorials to enable students to flexibly access an introduction and demonstration of the RAPID system. It will also reduce the reliance on the availability at the relevant time of the RAPID Project Manager.

Brief Project Description
This project proposes to video capture the RAPID Project Manager as he describes the functionality of RAPID and demonstrates how students will be using the tool during their studies. It is anticipated that the video will be edited and divided into a number of small video clips describing the different aspects of RAPID. This will enable appropriately selected video clips to be incorporated into other modules and training sessions in other engineering departments that use (or intend to use) RAPID. It is proposed that the video clips will be synchronised with PowerPoint slides using Microsoft Producer and published as web pages. This will enable students to access the video tutorials from hall, computing labs and off-campus.

Outcomes of Project
The finished video footage (with audio and PowerPoint support) has been developed. Further work to re-purpose for delivery over the local intranet is planned as part of the ongoing development of the RAPID project, as RAPID is updated and made available to more subject areas.

Contact Alan Maddocks for more information.