Some Final Thoughts
References
Sharing their experiences is an invaluable motivating mechanism for the rest of the students and especially those in earlier years .
Some Final Thoughts
On reflection of the entire process of setting up the discussion group ( s ), deciding on the outcomes , designing the content , and evaluating the project , these are some of the main conclusions :
• The process is more instructive than the final product i . e ., we learned more while creating the digital stories than the videos can impart on the viewer . It is also logistically simpler to focus on the process of delivering the project outcome rather than the outcome itself , however , this is best not shared with participating students from an early stage ( if at all ).
• Academics should not make assumptions about what is obvious or clear to students , but rather explain , ask , and share their experience with their classes .
• It is instructive to dedicate time and effort to deviate from the discipline syllabus to encourage students to think about how the material relates to employability skills . This will help them identify where and how these skills are being developed , and it will create incentives for participation and engagement . It is therefore not time wasted in the sense of it being taken out of subject-specific tuition , but time invested in generating interest and engagement among students .
• Students should be encouraged to explore opportunities to develop their employability and soft skills from an early stage . Career services have a role to play and should be more proactive approaching students from the start of their university life .
Using the creation of digital media content to convey ideas , impart knowledge , or develop skills , can be a powerful T & L tool . It appeals to the creative and innovative side of students and forces them to take ownership of the learning process – which is not always achieved in the traditional classroom environment , where the onus to deliver knowledge is placed onto the teacher .
References
Jenkins , C . and Lane , S ., ( 2019 ), Employability Skills in UK Economics Degrees , Report for the Economics Network .
Jing Wu , J ., and Chen , V ., ( 2020 ), A systematic review of educational digital storytelling , Computers & Education , Volume 147 .
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